Tinnitus, Gang Violence and Shootouts

I live in Chicagoland, so news stories about gang violence are pretty prevalent in the local news. This has me thinking about how many people involved in these shootouts might have tinnitus. I can't imagine a gangster putting in earplugs before doing a drive-by.

I tried looking up some information about this, but couldn't find even anecdotal evidence linking gang violence to higher rates of hearing loss. I wonder why it's so underreported.

 

I had similar thoughts while watching The Dark Knight a few days ago. But realistically I do wonder how common these issues are amongst cops, firefighters, airport workers. Yeah they are required to wear protection but I’m sure there are “accidents”.

 

Perhaps we could use these criminals, to learn a lot more about this, after they are caught and convicted, by putting them in bullet proof rooms, with small holes in the walls, and enough room to run around, so that they can be shot at by their victims or their victims' families. Those who survive, can be tested, those who don't, will have their bodies donated to science. It's a win-win proposition.