Ear defenders on Safari?

[Stalker62]

Just musing over a recent trip.

Ear defenders.

Obviously I wore them on the range to 'check zero'...



What I did not do, was wear them when taking a shot on Game.


I was using a .375 and during the course of the week I fired (about) fifteen shots in 'anger'.

Thirteen of these shots, I never heard. Two of the those shots, actually hurt my (strange to say) left ear. So much so, that it was ringing like a campanologist's convention for about twenty minutes...



So my question.

Do you wear hearing protection on the hunt?

One of our party (a wee bit deaf, truth be told), does, the rest...not so much.


Apropos 'checking zero' - one of the PHs pulled out this monstrosity at the range. I immediately thought of @Klenchblaize ...




Seeing rifles like that, does not make me think about my hearing, but it does make me wish I was blind...

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I’ve never been to Africa, but wear active ear defenders over here hunting in the U.K. as well as a can on the end of the rifle. How else would I hear the dulcet tone of my missus whispering sweet nothings to me?

 

[Stalker62]

I’ve never been to Africa, but wear active ear defenders over here hunting in the U.K. as well as a can on the end of the rifle.

Moderators are not allowed in a plethora of places in Africa.

Just adds to the issue really.

 

[VSS]

Thirteen of these shots, I never heard. Two of the those shots, actually hurt my (strange to say) left ear. So much so, that it was ringing like a campanologist's convention for about twenty minutes...

If you are a right-handed shooter, you would expect your left ear to be the one most affected.

 

[Trickyd66]

I know not offering as much protection, would active moulded ear plugs be an option? (Sill trying to get the NHS to replace my hearing aids with something similar )

As an aside, it's not just shooters who suffer, a friend plays golf..... a LOT of golf... his hearing is going in one ear which has been attributed to the noise of the ball strike?! I don't suffer that problem as I invariably miss the ball

 

[Foxyboy43]

If you are a right-handed shooter, you would expect your left ear to be the one most affected.

Yep.
The hearing in my right ear is poor whilst that in my left is very, very poor. Came from many years of competitive clays shooting - needless to say nobody wore defenders then. When you rest your cheek on a stock be it rifle or shotgun your left ear is naturally exposed more than your right so it gets the “benefit” of noise and muzzle blast more - unless of course you are Twizzle (younger members ask their granny).
I dread to think what the “signature” of such a large calibre as a .375 is but the potential for significant damage must be absolutely enormous - encouragingly it only takes one blast to do just that - bringing deafness and if very unlucky the dreaded tinnitus…
“Muzzle blasts can easily exceed sound pressure levels of 140 decibels, which can rupture eardrums and cause permanent sensorineural hearing loss even with brief and infrequent exposure.”.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Normal conversation is between 60 and 65 decibels (women’s may be higher) and the pain threshold is about 140dbs (see earlier brackets).
I happened to have just removed my ear defenders and plugs on Sunday when a chap fired a Mosin Nagant M44 carbine aka “The Boomstick”; I was left in no doubt why….

223, 55GR. Commercial load 18 1/2" 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 1/2" barrel	163.2dB

 

[Koenig]

Just musing over a recent trip.

Ear defenders.

Obviously I wore them on the range to 'check zero'...

View attachment 366345

What I did not do, was wear them when taking a shot on Game.


I was using a .375 and during the course of the week I fired (about) fifteen shots in 'anger'.

Thirteen of these shots, I never heard. Two of the those shots, actually hurt my (strange to say) left ear. So much so, that it was ringing like a campanologist's convention for about twenty minutes...

View attachment 366346

So my question.

Do you wear hearing protection on the hunt?

One of our party (a wee bit deaf, truth be told), does, the rest...not so much.


Apropos 'checking zero' - one of the PHs pulled out this monstrosity at the range. I immediately thought of @Klenchblaize ...

View attachment 366347


Seeing rifles like that, does not make me think about my hearing, but it does make me wish I was blind...

Hahahaha….thats the funniest thing I’ve heard all day

 

[Jamouk]

Not sure I'd want to fire my 375 with no ear protection and it's magnaported so anyone either side wouldn't be to impressed either !

 

[willie_gunn]

I'd be wanting to keep my ears clear......just in case I missed either the sound of feline purring and anticipatory lip-smacking coming from above/behind me or the PH shouting "FFS run !!!!!"

 

[Klenchblaize]

Apropos 'checking zero' - one of the PHs pulled out this monstrosity at the range. I immediately thought of @Klenchblaize ...

View attachment 366347


Seeing rifles like that, does not make me think about my hearing, but it does make me wish I was blind...

Did he have the matching kit?


K

 

[Stalker62]

Did he have the matching kit?

I actually just felt a bit of sick at the back of my throat...

 

[Klenchblaize]

I actually just felt a bit of sick at the back of my throat...

Think positively: A gut-shot beast will leave no trace on one's kit!

K

 

[old 30-06]

Africa in October/November. Ear muffs and moderator will be going with me. Do not end up as deaf as me, ALWAYS use ear protection.

 

[johndeere]

I didn't when I went used the 300wm so not the quietest of calibres, now most of the time even with the Sound moderator.

 

[Heym SR20]

When hunting, especially dangerous game you absolutely need to be able to hear well. If you are going to use hearing protection you absolutely need the type that amplifies very quiet sounds.

Take them with you, but take the advise of your PH.

 

[Cottis]

I know not offering as much protection, would active moulded ear plugs be an option? (Sill trying to get the NHS to replace my hearing aids with something similar )

As an aside, it's not just shooters who suffer, a friend plays golf..... a LOT of golf... his hearing is going in one ear which has been attributed to the noise of the ball strike?! I don't suffer that problem as I invariably miss the ball

Can you ask him what driver he uses please? I would be interested to know if it is a Ping.

I play golf most days but I rarely practice anymore which is when you hit tons of shots. I would sometimes hit 500 balls a day in days gone past when on the range when I was younger.

Golf simulators indoors can contain the noise from solidly hit drives which would make it worse. I would wear plugs if hitting lots of drivers while using an indoor simulator. You get the double whammy of the ball hitting the catching curtain in front of you. Ball speeds can be upwards of 175mph off the driver face so it hits hard only a few feet in front of you. Decibel wise the noise can reach 120dB. Some drivers are worse than others. I play with a guy who uses an older Ping driver and the noise i find particularly harsh. I prefer to use drivers with a lot of carbon in which deadens and dulls the noise as well as improving the feel of the shot off the face.

 

[Dunwaters]

I use in ear custom conformal electronic plugs all the time.
On the range I pop the on Peltors over them.
I’m hanging on to what little hearing I have left.

 

[purdeydog]

I’ve hearing damage in my right ear, it’s from not wearing hearing protection. I’m a lefty. Left ear is fine.

Now don’t ask me the science but having been to several ear specialists, they say the noises bounces about and effects the opposite ear so right ear for a lefty. Left ear for a righty.

Not wearing ear protection is stupid.

 

[Stephenbuck2489]

I know not offering as much protection, would active moulded ear plugs be an option? (Sill trying to get the NHS to replace my hearing aids with something similar )

As an aside, it's not just shooters who suffer, a friend plays golf..... a LOT of golf... his hearing is going in one ear which has been attributed to the noise of the ball strike?! I don't suffer that problem as I invariably miss the ball

Following the 1 ear failing theme.... the one thing over looked completely here...... forget rifles, shotguns, golf balls...etc does it not all come down to what side of the sofa and bed your Mrs frequents!?? latest hearing test sais i have reduced hearing in my left.. low and bloody behold.... guess what side she sleeps and sits on!!!