Hey everyone. I’m a 20 year old male. About 6 months ago, I took around 12 shots from a handgun without hearing protection over the course of 2 months (one or 2 shots every 2 weeks). It was a .40S&W for what it’s worth. I did have my hood up though. After the last time, I noticed a ‘fullness’ in my ears & I knew what I was doing was very stupid. I’ve always shot with ear protection, but being that it was only one or two shots every so often I didn’t think it would be that bad. My ears never rang after shooting any of the times, surprisingly. Anyway, I started to get worried & read up on shooting without protection/hearing loss. It seems ever since then, I have heard (or have been imagining) a ringing in my ears, also known as Tinnitus. It’s driving me absolutely mad wondering if I have it or not. I’ve listened to sounds of Tinnitus & mine does not sound like that. I do have OCD which makes me wonder if my brain is making this ringing tone to sort of mess with me. If I don’t concentrate on it, I don’t hear it. Once I say to myself, "wait, where’s the ringing at?" I hear the VERY faint "eeeeeeeeeeee" almost like a nail scratching glass if that makes sense. I need to know if I have it or not, because the uncertainty is driving me mad. I can also hear it when I lay my head against a pillow. Also, opening my jaw wide & flexing it makes a loud ring. What’s up with me guys? From what I’ve read, people with Tinnitus KNOW it is Tinnitus, there doesn’t seem to be uncertainty, it’s always clear that they have it. Thank yous, and God Bless.

Do you find the 30-06 to be really loud wearing hearing protection? And do you ever wear ear plugs with ear muffs?

I went to go check out a range and didn’t have hearing protection there were two people shooting as I watched from about 10-13 ft away. Would the damage to my ears disqualify me? It was just once, I also feel a slight discomfort/pain in my right ear from it.

im doing a project for my tech class, and i need to find 4 types of hearing protection. so far i have earmuffs, ear plugs, and canal caps. if you could help me find the last one, thatd be great,

thanks!

Hey everyone, in the past 5 months I might have taken about 13 shots of .40S&W without hearing protection. Needless to say, this will be the last I ever do that. Last time was 3 days ago. I’ve noticed that faint ringing in my ears as I’m trying to sleep they call "tinnitus" and even when im not sleeping. Is this ever going to go away? If not, I’ll strongly consider turning the barrel on myself because this is not something I can live with. It is annoying. I wanted to get out of bed and scream. Please help me guys, thanks.