Hearing issue after trip to gun range.

[Driver 47]

Aside from possible wax buildup I'd double up with over the ear protection. When I was in the Seabees I sat on top of earth movers like scrapers, bulldozers and graders with honkin' big diesel's running straight pipes three feet from my head, plus being a gunner on a 106 recoilless and when that sucker fired the shockwave would push the little foam earplugs further inside my ears. Couple that with straight pipes on my Harley and loud electric guitars and it's no wonder I have tinnitus.

So double up, even a .22 will cause hearing loss. </shouting

If legal where you live I suggest investing a supressor.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by Wartrace

I went to a gun range three weeks ago. I only fired a rifle about 20 times and a handgun 30 times. The entire time I had foam earplugs inserted. When I took out the plugs I noticed I couldn't hear as well out of my right ear. There was no ringing or discomfort just reduced hearing.

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I am considering going to a hearing specialist to check it out. It seems to be getting a little better but not where it was before. I am wondering if it's an ear infection.

I have experienced a couple of incidents in my youth where experienced a very loud unexpected noise like the time a tank fired a round before I could get my plugs in. Yes, my ears rang for a few days but my hearing returned. This doesn't seem the same.

This is why I wear ear muffs at the range instead of plugs


That said, with ear plugs, you sometimes shove earwax into the ear therefore blocking the ear canal


Try buying Debrox. Use as directed for 3-4 days to loosen wax and the syringe to rince it out with warm water


If no better in a week, see a MD

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by Wartrace

I went to a gun range three weeks ago. I only fired a rifle about 20 times and a handgun 30 times. The entire time I had foam earplugs inserted. When I took out the plugs I noticed I couldn't hear as well out of my right ear. There was no ringing or discomfort just reduced hearing.

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I am considering going to a hearing specialist to check it out. It seems to be getting a little better but not where it was before. I am wondering if it's an ear infection.

I have experienced a couple of incidents in my youth where experienced a very loud unexpected noise like the time a tank fired a round before I could get my plugs in. Yes, my ears rang for a few days but my hearing returned. This doesn't seem the same.

Was this on an indoor range? Indoor ranges, especially if they're smaller and not built with any sound absorbing materials, can be *really* loud. I have been to a small indoor range before and those acoustic waves in that confined space, with masonry walls, wow. I do wear quality earmuffs, but even with those on it was unpleasantly loud. If you're experiencing changes, then I agree with your instincts that something is different now and you probably sustained some damage.

You can potentially see either an audiologist or an ENT/otolaryngology doctor. I think this is more of an audiologist case, but I'd try to get a referral from your primary care physician to a good one in any case, and they can help steer you to the right care provider.

[212david51]

Ear plugs help but not as good as well made ear muffs that enclose the entire outer ear. The best IMHO are noise suppressing full coverage ear muffs such as those made by Bose. They cost a lot more than simple ear plugs but your hearing is worth it.

[Deserterer]

It's been 2 weeks...have you been to the Dr and Audiologist yet OP?