gunfire sound

[travisab1]

Can anyone answer this for Jim?

From: Jim Flynn
Subject: gunfire sound

I was wondering if you or anyone on vet mailing list
would know how many decibels are generated when a MK3
5"3/8 is shot.

I have been hasseling with VA on hearing loss due to
direct exposure to over 12,349 rounds from mk3 and
thought providing them with decibel amount could
further my as well as others claims.

I might note after 35 years VA "found" my service
medical records and did give me disability on a broken
ankle and head wound but not on the hearing loss. I
might also note that 3 other buddies I was with in Nam
also have hearing loss. Now the VA did provide me with
hearing aids and admitted to bleeding from my ears but
still come up with the usual excuses. I know many of
my comrades are experiencing the same bull. I've
checked all the websites I can think of but can't get
the info. I can only assume that DOD website either
feels that info is still cofidential or that they will
open a pandoras box and give vets more ammo to fight
VA with if they provide decibel ratings for all arms
large or small.

Anyway thanks. Ohadi

I thought I'd pass this on for Jim. A lot of you have probably been down this road.

By the way, did anybody have a problem with a link in Bits & Pieces. I've already regestered a complaint myself?

Regards,
Travis

[Boats]

Lessons in Shooter Safety
You can prevent hearing loss:
always wear ear protection while shooting
OK, listen up. Firearm safety doesn't end with proper firearm handling and care. It also includes hearing protection. This means wearing earplugs or earmuffs whenever you shoot a rifle, shotgun, or pistol.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 10 million Americans have already suffered irreversible damage from noise, and 30 million more are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day.

An extreme noise, like the firing of a shotgun experienced at close range, can permanently damage your hearing in an instant. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise-induced hearing loss can result from one-time exposure to a loud sound like gunfire, and it can also be caused by repeated exposure to harmful sounds over an extended period of time. Just ask any hunter over 50 who has not worn hearing protection!

Understanding the causes of NIHL

The loudness of a sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). An ordinary conversation is approximately 60 dB; city traffic noise can reach 80 dB; and firearms can reach an ear-piercing 140 to 170 dB.

Loud noises above 80 dB can damage the inner ear for good. Not only can sudden loud noises, like gunshots or firecrackers at close range, result in hearing loss, but prolonged exposure to machine noise in a workshop can be damaging too.

Fact: Noise-induced hearing loss is one of America's most common workplace injuries.

Is NIHL preventable?
Absolutely. You can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss by understanding the hazards of noise and by practicing good hearing health, whether in the field, at home, or at work.

Know which noises cause damage (80 dB and above).


Wear earplugs, earmuffs, or other hearing protection devices when involved in a loud activity such as shooting.


Be alert to hazardous noises in the environment.


Make family, friends, and fellow shooting enthusiasts aware of noise hazards.


If you're having trouble hearing, or if sounds you hear are muffled and distorted or there is a ringing or roaring sound in your ears, see a doctor at once! Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat. You may also have your hearing tested by an audiologist.


3 ways to protect and preserve your hearing when shooting ...

1. 2. 3.
Wear Earmuffs Wear Earplugs Wear Combination
Ear & Eye Safety Glasses

Contact the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) with your questions about noise-induced hearing loss at:

Toll-free: (800) 241-1044
Fax: (301) 770-8977
E-mail: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
Internet: www.nidcd.nih.gov

Presented by WISE EARS!?, a coalition of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, industries and unions to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

[HARDCORE]

TRAVIS -

I have been hasseling with VA on hearing loss due to
direct exposure to over 12,349 rounds from mk3.

I might note after 35 years VA "found" my service
medical records and did give me disability on a broken
ankle and head wound but not on the hearing loss.

TRAV - He sure does have those rounds down to the shot!

As for the 35 years before the VA found his med-recs, that came as "ABSOLUTELY" no surprise to me. Many more of us, myself included, were in this same boat. "No accident, in my opinion!!"

VERITAS

[travisab1]

Boats, did you or Hardcore relate this message of yours to Jim Flynn? I've been hasseling the VA for a long time now on my hearing loss as well.

Back in 1961-64 we wore neither hearing protection or eye protection. My first GQ station was just behind Mt. 52, I think the 2nd 5" Gun Mount on the 2nd deck on the Port Hedge Hog Mt. wearing sound powered phones and my 2nd GQ station was directly behind to the right and above Mt. 52 on Starboard Lookout wearing sound powered phones with no eye protection. A many a time I found myself looking right down the barrel of that Starboard 5"barrel as Mt. 52 swung far Starboard fireing one projectile after another. I thank GOD there was a cut-off on the fireing as the Gun Mount swung far back to Port or Starboard and pointed directly at my Post. It was only after I got into the Quartermaster Gang before I got placed on the wheel during GQ. After being relieved from the wheel after my stay, anywhere I was needed was where I went. Nowhere was ear or eye protection worn at the time as far as I can remember.

Regards,
Travis

[Boats]

Travis,

I was on deck during a change of command and they fired off several rounds of a 5" 50 and for hours after that I could barely hear.

It's no doubt true that many artillary men have bad hearing because of it. The VA recognizes this and it just takes a little patience to get it into their heads.

I'm sure the weapons experts no this site will dictate the appropriate procedures for big gun safety. I don't know too many soldiers that wore ear plugs with standard firearms in the field. But there has to be some regulation about that written somewhere.

[travisab1]

Boats;
Even now over in battle torn Iraq, how long would a soldier last if he had ear plugs/protection to protect his/her ears? I find it difficult when wearing ear protection in latter times to hear commands/enemies posted/about. The last thing I'd want is to have my hearing restricted during combat. Ear protection would keep me from hearing my enemies aproaching and eye protection would limit my visibility due to fogging over, scratches, sweat beading down goggles/galsses. What choices does a soldies on the battle field have? If you ask me, I'd say my life is worth more than hearing at the time of confrontation with enemy troops. Eyes??? Without them you'll surley die in combat. Restrict them and I can't imagine what your chances are. What options does a soldier on the battle field have wearing Battle Armor + in 100 degree + temperatures? If you loose one or both you hear, (with what little hearing you may have left), you should have been wearing protection. What is the lessor of two or more obsticals/evils?

Regards,
Travis

[Boats]

I think your talking to the wrong guy to answer that. You need the ground force specialist to answer those questions.
Sorry!