Yesterday evening was nice, I got off work reasonably early, so I went to the range to try out some loads I had worked up in my .357 Blackhawk.

Midway through, I accidentally touched off a round from the bench, sans plugs. After the shot, I obviously realized my mistake, and put the plugs back in. There was some immediate ringing in my left ear, obviously, but no big deal. My right ear seemed unaffected.

After I finished shooting, I noticed a muffled sensation, which I figured is normal; I don't make it a point to shoot unprotected, with the exception of hunting-and I never seem to hear it, so I don't have much experience with hearing problems.

This morning I woke up, and it sounded like I had water in my left ear when I rubbed it; a 'squishy sound,' if that makes sense; similar to if you get soapy water in your ear while showering. The 'muffled' affect is still there. I can hear, but everything seems muffled. It feels as if I have water in my ear, or that feeling you get just before you yawn and pop your ears. There is still a high pitched ringing 'in the background,' again, if that makes sense.

Again, my right ear seems unaffected. Strange. The shot took place rested, off the bench at arms length; I'm right handed, so maybe that has something to do with it?

In addition, this morning, my coworker asked me why I was talking so loud.

I'm starting to get concerned. Will this go away?

If you are right handed, and you strong eye is your right eye, then when you sight a pistol,your right ear is slightly turned away from the muzzle blast, and your left ear is pointed more towards it... thus, it affects your left ear more.

A .357 is no caliber to forget your ear protection with...

Maybe not. It can take only one shot - and you may have taken it.

See a doctor ASAP. You may have burst your eardrum.

Exactly correct. Makes sense.



You aren't a kidding. Damn. The load was 13.5 grains 2400 under some 150 Keith Cast Boolits.

I will call the audiologist and see about getting in as soon as I can.

Strange, I hunt, and have killed hundreds of critters with a high-powered rifle, sans ear plugs; one of which wears a break. Not to mention all of the 22lr and shotgun rounds fired at critters. I never seem to hear the shot, let alone have ringing in my ears. Fire one round from a bench, and now this. What a strange phenomenon.

Load the Blackhawk, and put it in your right pants pocket.

Pull the trigger.......

You will no longer notice any hearing deficiencies.

What ?

Huh...

I know what you mean and it sucks. Both of my ears are like that, permanently. I'm close to 61 and have been wearing hearing aids for almost 7 years. What a difference they make. I did way, way, way too much shooting early in life without protection. Paying for it now. When I remove my hearing aids it's like putting on ear muffs. I hope you hearing loss in only temporary. Good luck.

Bob

Both mine, too. It's like having my fingers stuck in my ears. Pretty loud ringing. I have a lot of trouble doing stupid stuff, like ordering food and stuff. Forget ordering stuff on the phone. Can't afford hearing aids.

See an ENT (ear,nose, throat) doctor asap. An audiologist might just try to sell you hearing aids, whereas a sudden hearing loss such as yours might be reversible under a doctor's care.

I've been in the hearing aid business for 17 years and if a patient came in with your issue I would immediately refer them to a specialist.

I bet it goes away, but wouldn't hurt to see specialist

Seeing a doctor pronto is probably the best advice.

I have been deafened by loud sound before - from shooting, industrial environment and Deep Purple live. The significant deafness goes away in a couple of days but it will leave some permanent injury behind.

my loss is from shooting, saws, and ZZ Top 20 feet from sound stack!
my most used phrase is "pardon me?"

have the ear checked out! sounds like perforated ear drum to me. no pun intended!

I agree with those who suggest you see an ENT before seeing an audiologist. Most healthcare insurance companies require you to be examined by an ENT before they will cover the cost of hearing aids, if you are lucky enough to have this coverage. Besides, as others have said a hearing dispenser is predisposed to selling a hearing aid not treating a condition which might respond to a treatment of some type. Also, make sure you are seeing a qualified, degreed audiologist and not just a hearing aid salesman.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

I shot 10,000 of rounds on 12 ga, 25-06, 357 mag, 7mm mag, and others in the 70s and 80s. My hearing is shot now, pun intended. I wear hearing protection 100% of the time when shooting now, even bird hunting.
And I wear hearing aids so I can hear a little.

I suffered sudden hearing loss in my right ear a few years ago. That experience taught me that you need to see a specialist immediately for issues like this. My ENT dinked around with tests and scans until the window for possibly saving my hearing was long closed. Do it now.

I appreciate all of the advice.

I made an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. Downside is that he couldn't get me in until April 10. ..beggars can't be choosers I suppose.

This morning, the muffled sensation was still there. The best way I can describe it is maybe, water in my ear? Or the feeling you get, just prior to yawning and popping your ears. As the day moves forward, the sensation seems to be lessening, that or I am just getting accustomed to it.

The strange thing is, if I rub the outside of my ear, it kind of 'pops' open for a second, then if I swallow or yawn, it goes muffled again.

I'm keeping optimistic.

I'm still in somewhat of a shock that ONE shot could cause this much damage. How in the world to folks hunt with a handgun? As I mentioned, I have shot hundreds of critters with a high powered rifle, without so much as a mild ringing following the shot, and I always use plugs at the bench. I have forgotten to put them in once or twice before with a high powered rifle, sure my ears rang for a few minutes, but nothing like this.

If you had a touch of sinus infection.....it's that time of year... the shot may just have called it to your attention.

But you should see an ENT Doctor for sure.

Have you contacted your GP/PCP? I wouldn't wait until the 10th to see someone.