Caution: Can you hear me now??

[Skyhook]

I'll bet most here have seen these numbers at least a couple of times, but one cannot be too careful, right?

Gunfire noise levels, from data compiled by Dr. Krammer of Indiana,
using standard pressure cartridges in 'typical' firearm platforms, and presumably in an indoor situation, are as follows:

Handguns
.25 ACP --- 155.0 dB
.32 LONG --- 152.4 dB
.32 ACP --- 153.5 dB
.380 --- 157.7 dB
9mm --- 159.8 dB
.38 S&W --- 153.5 dB
.38 Spl --- 156.3 dB
.357 Magnum --- 164.3 dB
.41 Magnum --- 163.2 dB
.44 Spl --- 155.9 dB
.45 ACP --- 157.0 dB
.45 COLT --- 154.7 dB

Shotguns
.410 Bore 28" barrel --- 150dB
26" barrel --- 150.25dB
18" barrel --- 156.30dB
20 Gauge 28" barrel --- 152.50dB
22" barrel --- 154.75dB
12 Gauge 28" barrel --- 151.50dB
26" barrel --- 156.10dB
18" barrel --- 161.50dB

Rifles
.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18" barrel --- 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel --- 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel --- 156.0dB
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel --- 157.5dB
.308 in 24" barrel --- 156.2dB
.30-06 in 24" barrel --- 158.5dB
.30-06 in 18" barrel --- 163.2dB
.375 — 18" barrel with muzzle brake --- 170 dB



Gunfire noise thus seems to ping around 160 dB.
(Firing range reloads are often loaded weaker and produce somewhat less noise.)

Normal speech pings about 60-65 dB
Permanent hearing damage can obtain from prolonged exposure to noise levels as low as 95 dB, though the threshold of pain lies around 140 dB. According to the AAO-HNS (American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery) the highest permissible noise exposure for the unprotected ear is 115 dB for 15 minutes/day.

Keep in mind that dB (decibels) are measured along a logarithmic curve,
so that a 160 dB gun blast carries 10,000,000,000 times the noise energy of a 60 dB conversation.
Count the zeroes.. that's ten billion times.

I use muffs 'rated' at NNR 32 dB, and my wife has been pestering me to use plugs as well --the noise ratings above show that she's right: The muffs offer 32 dB noise reduction, and the plugs another 20 or so, and using plugs and muffs in combo yields a bonus 15 for a total of 67 dB of noise reduction... just enough (if I accept the muff and plug manufacturers' claims, to yank gunfire noise down to the 'mildly-damaging' 90's.
 

I guess if your ears feel different after a shooting session --or if you experience even a mild ringing in 'em after a noise episode, then you've already sustained irreparable damage. Most hearing damage goes undetected.

It's easy to dismiss cumulative hearing damage, until it's too late and you can't really hear your grandchildren singing you a Happy Birthday, or, at a loved one's deathbed, cannot understand their last affectionate words to you.

[PoorAim]

My father grew up in the country hunting and shooting all the time without ear protection.

Although he often doesn't wear it, he has needed a hearing aid since he was 40.   :eek:

 I wear hearing protection every time I shoot, except for hunting. And am seriously considering the active devices that activate at gunblast (like the walkers game ear) for hunting.

sight and hearing doesn't grow back!

   -PA

[grodon of the north]

Just reading about it makes my ears ring :eek:

[New Hampshire]

Out in the woods Im sually wearing a hat an was shooting a 12 ga with long bbl.  My ears never rang once.  But I decided one day to start coyote hunting.  Took my 06 Encore out, first shot and I couldnt hear nuthin.  Then had to finish the dog off with my 6" revolver in .357 Mag.......My ear was cleared up mostly but still rang a bit 2 hours later.
Ive been to a few rock concerts also.  After hours of buzzing and rining I dont go to any anymore  :grin: .
Brian M.