Gunshot Went Off Near Me Today — Please Help Me Sort This Out...

Hi,

Quick Background:

I have tinnitus & hyperacusis, and as recommended on this site, have been trying to ween off of earplugs when they're unnecessary to have in - or in environments predictably below 80(ish) dB. Also, because mine seems to be reactive - if you subscribe to the term, I wanted to get opinions on whether I was having a reactive sort of spike/fullness condition - or a genuine acoustical trauma situation.

What Occurred:

We live in a semi-rural environment, and have guns of all sizes going off in the vicinity, for whatever reason, sometimes. Predictable times are Sat afternoon target practice - approx 50 feet from my property line. That one is the worst for me, but about 500 feet away is the guy who sometimes shoots snakes, coyotes, whatever he can spot on his property, at any time without warning. And then there are the 2-3 times per week, drunk teenagers, who come from nearby urban areas, to shoot at night; and finally, the various hunting seasons. Thus I generally wear earplugs in my own peaceful yard, sadly.

Today, I felt strong, took my chances, and went out to use my reel-mower and enjoy the sounds of nature - I figured it's not Sat afternoon target-practice time, so I could chance it, as part of my recovery. It was beyond perfect, I was at peace... bla-bla, you get it. Then after nearly an hour, a single shot occurred from the vicinity of the target practice neighbors right behind us. It must have been muffled some, by the new tree growth between us, or it came from further out from where they usually shoot, because it did not cause any pain when the waves hit my ear - like it used to. I have sight fullness and a moderate-to-heavy spike though (of course, maybe a bit of it's from stress). My distance was 25 or 30 feet from my property line so that would have put me 75 or more feet away. I cannot go see anyone about it, currently, but I was wondering if it is even something to be concerned about, in the first place. Just a single shot from a 9mm, from, at least 25 meters.

Lastly, because it sounded like a 9mm pistol, I did the Distance Attenuation Calculator thing, and it said the 9mm's 160 dB was reduced to about 133 dB. Then I looked up the treeline attenuation potential and they put it at up to a 10 dB reduction - or an approximate 123 dB. Other than that, it was mostly cloudy, and that is supposed to mean it didn't disperse as much as on a clear day.

So then, what perchance would one solitary shot, under those conditions, mean to my susceptible ears?

Please advise, and thank you for reading.

 

Oof. I'm not very good at medical advice, or instruction, but I'm bumping this thread, so hopefully someone more educated than me will give you the resources and answering of your questions you deserve. If I were you though, I would take some nag and mac just in case. Remember, you can introduce your ears at a safe pace. I would advise against jumping into not wearing plugs outside, especially with random shooting going on. I'm sorry this has happened to you.

 

Thanks, @GSC

 

I'll at people who I think will be helpful for you. @Digital Doc @winstona @Bill Bauer

 

I'm plowed right now (wine blunts hyperacusis) so my apologies. I'm sort of in the same situation as you. And I never leave my house without heavy grey 3m Peltors on and 3m plugs in (the orange ones, 1100s? I think). I (literally) feel your pain. Sometimes I wear the muffs indoors, if the creeps are shooting.

Hang in there. Bi-modal stimulation helps hyperacusics. Help is on the way.

 

In summary, single acoustic trauma of greater than 100 db.

You have symptoms of TTS.

Wear your earplugs when outside for sure. When I am outside in the garden I often do as there is constant leaf blower and mower noise where I live.

There is a good chance this will improve, but it can take plenty of time, like months or longer.

Avoid any other noise exposure.

I also wear my earplugs at night to help with habituation, and think it helps. Also, I take omega3 daily as an antiinflammatory agent.

Feel better soon.

 

Thanks, @Skinjob , your genuine support and camaraderie shows though well, and it somehow helps the symptoms a little too. Bimodal Stimulation - targeting unruly nerve activity in the brain - that's where it's at!

@Digital Doc , you finally have some diagnostic/symptomatic clarity to offer me - lol. BTW, you were wholly correct, before: the stupid too-long-earplug debacle, with the stuck/pressure situation several days ago, went away in 3-4 days like you said your sources maintain - I guess reverse-pressure can mess around with the fluids back there a bit. I looked up this Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome (TTTS), and a doctor I follow said, "People with Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome typically ended up with their tinnitus and/or hyperacusis/misophonia as a result of exposure to loud sounds," and other stuff that surely pegs my condition. The only part that bothered me was where he states: "If you have Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome, you need to realize that it does not harm your ears, even though you might swear that it is damaging your ears. This is because you perceive the sounds as louder than they really are. The truth is that moderate, everyday sounds do not harm your ears or cause hearing loss." But of course, we know this is not an everyday sound for most folks. Though, I was hoping someone had an informed comment where they figured the gun sound was so quick, and singular, and at a far enough distance, that it would almost certainly be fine soon enough. Too much to hope for?? As always, thanks for putting up with me!

http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/do-i-have-tonic-tensor-tympani-syndrome-ttts/

 

In previous posts, I've mentioned far away gunshots (seemingly so far away that they should not be causing a spike) causing my condition to not only spike, but also to rise to a new baseline. I think this is not damage to my ears, but instead it is my brain over-reacting. This may be what is going on with you.

 

That's what I was hoping; it really hasn't been that long since I could tolerate these out-of-nowhere area-gunshots - but now they make everything jump and spasm or something. But, so far as the raw potential for an ear to be physiologically altered by the single shot (versus the usual multiple rounds) from a 9mm, at more than 75 (wooded) feet away - I was keeping my fingers tightly crossed that it would be like the old days when that happened. That would have been a 10 day spike or less - returning to baseline. Anyway, I said a quick prayer before I went out today, for nothing damaging or a long spike to occur - I try and do that when I remember - so I should remember to lean on that too. For me, that one has historically panned out best I think. Don't worry, I'm not a preacher-guy or anything - just a dude who has been on the Earth for more than a half a century - and knows what his heart says - even if he can't figure out what his mind is supposed to say...

Well, this place is a spiritual blessing for the masses, a life-saver even. I noticed that the first time I clicked on, some time ago.

Thanks for the pep talk @Skinjob , you hold your drink like the very best of them.

 

What is that, @GSC , a way to tag them so they know about this - or am I supposed to let them know too?

Thanks!

 

So they get a notification to check this thread. I already did it.

 

I'm not so sure about that*, but thank you.

(*Drunks with hyperacusis rush in where angels fear to tread.)

 

@GSC ,@Digital Doc , @Skinjob , you all are truly wonderful; I'm going to get some better Mag and some NAC, I guess - just in case - but I suppose the thing is a little better... same but less - good, right?

You all helped me though - sending lots of love and peace your way!

 

Definitely good if getting better!

 

Those two supplements sound like the 'right prescription' following gunshot exposure. I would hope somehow your neighborhood becomes safe for you, but it doesn't sound likely, so you may as well be as fully prepared as possible. If this exposure happens again, let us know if it helps.

p.s. I love you did the noise attenuation calcs. By the way, I'm not sure if I'm using the page right, but this page
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-distance.htm
says the 160db (assuming dbsl) goes down to 122.5 at if the R2 is assumed to be 75 feet. Too bad they don't make it clear about meters or feet. By the way, to find R2 for where the sound level is 95dbsl (safe we'll say), it's 1778.28 feet/meters!

 

Hi PortalNaut,

Thanks for checking in!

@PortalNaut said: Too bad they don't make it clear about meters or feet. By the way, to find R2 for where the sound level is 95dbsl (safe we'll say), it's 1778.28 feet/meters!

Yep... .33 miles or .54 km - versus - 1.1 miles or 1.7 km is what this confusion plays out to be; I see what you're saying. Well, often it seem the more answers I find, leads to more questions than I originally had - that is probably normal. Though even more often, it is the ambiguity of the answers or instruction that presents utter confusion and surely frustration.

Hence, this calculator, below, crafted for us who merely want to know how much to panic, lol.

peoplehttps://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/distance-attenuation

This calculator is so cool - I was able to just put in the db of the gun (160 db at 1 meter from muzzle blast, as I have been told), plus the 95 db safe level - then I put in 75 feet for my distance - and magic: "5834 feet"or "1.1 miles" or "1778.3 meters" pops up. Thus, we have now cleared up the confusion caused be the original attenuation calc. That is an awesome tool. I found it several months ago, and it is perfect. I checked out the one you use and it reminds me of the ones I had before.

@PortalNaut said: "you may as well be as fully prepared as possible"

True, and that's how we have to look at it... I have been meaning to take the NAC plunge anyway - so no more putting it off. I was already taking the mag & melatonin.

Do you take NAC? I am taking an 1800 - 2400 mg dosage per day, or 3 or 4, 600 mg capsules. This high amount is for 15 days only...

Thank you for spurring me on to getting the safe distance figured out - I never knew for sure!

 

Awesome follow up buddy!

I tried NAC for a few days, but this was like at month 3 or 4 and didn't seem to make a difference so I stopped. It is, as I understand, one of the tools used in the first few hours after exposure.

So, not sure of your exact neighborhood shooting patterns, but when one of those darned nearby shots go off, I'd get on the NAC. If the shooting is about everyday, or a lot on certain days (say many times on weekends), then who knows you may want to be on a regular dosage...

 

Hey, just to show you the power of sound....using your calculator....for a shot that is 140db (maybe a .22, or perhaps something suppressed...) the distance for 95db is only 178m!!!

 

Wouldn't that be nice... well, it would seem these brilliant fellas are primarily trying to show all the other geniuses in the hood that their cannon(s) is bigger. Versus the more civilized scenario you speak of. Also, I live 7/10ths of a mile from this...


"COLUMBIA, SC

The South Carolina Army National Guard will be firing howitzers cannons during artillery training exercises at Fort Jackson this weekend.


As usual, an announcement from the base is being issued to alert to residents to expect loud noises on Friday night and into Saturday evening.


While the South Carolina National Guard makes every effort to minimize noise generated by artillery practice, shifts in the wind and cloud cover can direct sound toward the ground, the news release said.


The 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery will be firing 155 mm howitzers at Camp McCrady during the exercises."


Of course, there are the machine guns too, but they don't qualify for the noise warning. Yep, I'm going on the NAC maintenance gig, @PortalNaut.

Good to hear from you!

 

WOW! Omg, this is getting worse and worse. You are in a warzone. I'm so sorry. If my T was going to flare on such a weekend, I'd head out of town.

 

Ive been dealing w guns for 2yrs. And finally accepted his drive by semi auto. The worst ones are the rifles that usually only last during hunting season. Wether these thugs are hunting or not is any policemen's guess.
A neighbor who actually isnt trying to disturb the peace shot a 100 year old musket. ..and I was so &@#* happy I was inside the house. My mom who doesnt have ear problem said it popped her ear.
So yea I have to move out of the country and into a town.. yawn.

 

Not sure one can trust 3M products?
"A contracting company agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold the U.S. military defective earplugs.
The Minnesota-based 3M Company allegedly sold its dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, to the Defense Logistics Agency without disclosing defects that decreased the actual effectiveness of the hearing protection the device offered."

 

Yep, all of that...

A lot of helpful member are advising me to move or make a truce with the thugs - but the setting up of their target range, 50 feet from my property line, is likely already retaliation for me calling the cops two years ago - I can't risk getting killed. They rack up three gang-killings a week in our metro, on average; folks don't understand the dynamic here.

When I get through with my dissertation and this last leg of grad school, in a couple of years, I will hopefully have the resources to fix my house up enough to sell - and not be as overextended, credit-wise - so I can buy in a quite area. I only have until 2021 and I will have the house payed off anyway. It seems everything must wait until then.

I am working on changing my perspective to reflect this as a meaningful challenge from which to grow from... what else can I realistically do?

Thanks, @Nonna for thinking about me!

Randy

 

I would not be worried about gunfire at 75'; it's unlikely to be anywhere near 133db, and I also question your ability to accurately discern caliber from a single shot. Finally, there's a million kinds of 9mm, and the type of ammo and weapon used could change the volume by a factor of several times.

I might be your neighbor; I fired a few shots of .22 this week very early in the morning, because there was a woodpecker who thought hammering on our metal roof at 5am was a good way to find a mate... and found himself in my crosshairs, instead. I love nature but I have my limits and this was day 3 of the 5AM wakeup.

My experiences in cities were much worse. The constant noise exposure you get from highway drone, airports, etc is much much more cumulative noise exposure than you get in the country as a general rule.

 

Having shot a lot of .22 and played with dB meters, I am, uh, quite skeptical of this.

If anyone cares enough, I am happy to clock .22 pistol and rifle sounds with a dB meter at 1, 10, 50 and 100 yards. I'm gonna be pretty surprised if it breaks 90db at 100 yards, let alone almost twice that.

 

You can actually shoot a .22? No silencer? Any past hyperacusis issue, or Tinnitus becoming louder?

 

.22 is fine with hearing protection, probably overall less scary than other tools I have to use (chainsaws, driving metal spikes into the ground, etc)

I've shot stuff as big as 7.62x54r without it causing any obvious problems, but in general I don't because big center-fire rounds "feel" too loud to me even through whatever plugs and muffs I combine. Long term I'd like a silenced .45 but that's a bunch of money to spend for no great reason.

It's also unlikely that I need to kill anything I can't take with a .22, around here it's either varmints or bears, not much in between.

Hyperacusis has not been a huge part of my story outside of some periods of intense distress very early on in all this, which I don't remember very clearly (or care to)

 

As a European I continue to be amazed by the gun culture in the US.

It's like you cannot outrun noise there. Either you live in a city, which is always noisy, or in the countryside surrounded by gun freaks.

Also, if a gun is really 160 dB, why aren't there so many more people with tinnitus? Even with protection that's EXTREMELY loud!

 

That's still sound that can do damage. It seems you live in a very loud place, as the noises that are more harmful to ears are precisely loud impulse noises like a gunshot or firecrackers. It doesnt matter if you rest your ears and are in silence most of the time; if you are often exposed to loud impulse noise there is a fat chance of developing hearing problems or worsening if you already have T & H.

Actually I have H and would be terrified to live under those circumstances, having neighbours that may start shooting at any time so close by.

 

Any updates on your situation?
While I put down my Tinnitus cause as "unknown", I suspect it could have something to do with rather heavy gunfire, to which I was exposed to about one month prior the Tinnitus onset, but can't really be sure.