Earplug Usage In The Field?

[Dispatch]

Do you or do you not use earplugs when you are in the field at events.... why or why not?

[desotobob]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

Not at small living histories, but at large events. But they are clear to be almost invisible. They are custom molded. I do Cowboy Action Shooting as well, so I do take care of my ears. (Besides, they work at cutting down hearing my pards snore as well.)

[KPavia]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

I didn't at one event and I regretted it for about two weeks after while my left ear kept ringing. I got my hearing tested afterwards and there was slight hearing damage to my left ear. I'll always wear earplugs from now on to protect from when the guy behind me in the second rank isn't careful about how close he puts his cap to my ear.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

What?? Did you say something Steve?

Seriously though, years ago I never did at CW events, but after some "accidents" at some WWII events with much more powerful blanks in terms of Db level, I will likely do so. I found some cheap disposable ear plugs that are flesh colored that are not very noticeable. One day I might be able to afford the clear ones such as Robert has.

[Daniel]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

You bet. I have been a long time living reenactor/living historian. And I have developed tinnitus over the years. It is a constant ringing in the ears. There are a lot of reasons for it. Exposure to loud noises, especially guns shots, can cause it. I wish that I had worn earplugs much sooner than I did. Probably one of the few regrets that I have had as a living historian. The type I use is Macks earplugs. They are flesh color so they not very noticable at all. They do not block out all of the sound but they do offer some protection. I remember being in a reeactment years ago. I was with an authentic unit. Things were going ok and we were firing knealing. Little did I know it but a dismounted (and in the worse way) cavalryman walks up behind me and sticks his revolver directly over my head. The blast was deafing. Heaven only knows what he loaded his revolver with. Inshort, you never know what will happen during a reenactment. So be prepared.

Dan Stewart

[Silas]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

An interesting thread on the subject : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...hlight=earplug

[Dispatch]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

Yes, I believe they are very important in all noise situations but not all people I know feel that way. An Otologst told me, everytime your ears ring, that is a level of frequency sound you are hearing for the last time. Your hearing is so precious. Your hearing... once its gone, its gone forever! Protect it!

[Charles Kaiser]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

As an Owner of a Tinnitus since I was 18 Years old, I wish no one the loss of total silence. I fortunately have a Tinnitus, thats sounds only at one high Frequency, so that you "forgot" it in the real live.
I spoke an schot firer, who says, his tinnitus sound changes all times, sometimes like a drum, than like a waterfall, and some other sounds, and he was short bevor getting crazy about this.
I tested at one event to put only some scrap cotton in my ears, it looks authenticc, but my ears need 2 Weeks to get back to the " normal" tinnitus sound level.....so, if you got a new Tinnintus, or think so after an event, don't be to shy to visit your lokal otologist, infusions may clear up the Tinnitus, or minimize it. When i was young, Tinnitus was not so present in the publical mind here in Germany, and so I thought, erverything will be right after some days, because I dont know this disease, that is now 25 Years ago, any more Questions Mr. Advocat ?

[CSchneider]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

Do you or do you not use earplugs when you are in the field at events.... why or why not?

No.


But I also prefer events without big hokey "battles."

-Craig Schneider

[Tincup]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

I use cotton balls as earplugs. Work better than none at all and are certainly authentic.
Jim Currens

[Michael Comer]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

I do not but many times at an event I am in some file closer or command role and stay behind the firing line so don't think they are needed. But I don't normally use them in the line either but might if I had some like Bob that are custom fit and invisible to the eye for the most part but I'm really not sure if I'd mess with it or not to be truthful. I also have a small ear canal and it is hard for me to get earplugs that fit. I do use hearing protection at home when running tools but it is a type that has graduated plugs on a band that goes over the head. Work great but a bright orange head band wouldn't do at an event. Perhaps it's all a wash because my years of playing rock and roll already took its toll . Actually, my hearing is still quite good.

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

You bet. I have been a long time living reenactor/living historian. And I have developed tinnitus over the years. It is a constant ringing in the ears. There are a lot of reasons for it. Exposure to loud noises, especially guns shots, can cause it. I wish that I had worn earplugs much sooner than I did. Probably one of the few regrets that I have had as a living historian. The type I use is Macks earplugs. They are flesh color so they not very noticable at all. They do not block out all of the sound but they do offer some protection. Inshort, you never know what will happen during a reenactment. So be prepared.

Dan Stewart

Agree 100% You young whippers use your ear plugs! The flesh colored ones can usually be found at Wally Mart.

Had one person MDay weekend doing a firing demo that was using CCI 6 wing caps. They are loud! Another reason to stay away from them.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

As a 26 year active duty Army Field Artilleryman, I now am VA certified disabled due to hearing loss and Tinnitus, and it is my own fault. Always wanted to hear everything going on and so was lax with using hearing protection. Now I learned my lesson after the fact. Blank firing with BP muskets is not something I normally wear hearing protection for, but folks do need to find what suits them authenticity-wise to protect their hearing. I can't hear any high frequency in my right ear and I have a constant high pitched squeal. It is not worth it.

[Union Navy]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

Always. My hearing is too valuable to my profession to risk it. All it takes is one unwary dismounted cavalryman with a Sharps carbine too close to my head and it's permanent hearing loss (happened in 2004).

[Dreamer42]

Re: Earplug Usage In The Field?

As was pointed out above...in ALL noise situations use them. Especially live firing. Over 24 years ago I had my hearing damaged when a guy shooting a .357 revolver had reloaded, but had not warned anyone he was about to shoot again. That first shot the barrel was about 8 feet away and parallel to my ear. The ringing didn't stop for a week, and got progressivly worse in my left ear. I can't repeat what I said to him about his VERY unsafe gun handling mistakes! Take it very seriously. It can happen to you...and usually you are not the one who is at fault.

-Jay Reid
Dreamer42
9th Texas