Just wondering if anyone on the forum might have some expertise, experience, or even opinion to share on this topic.
About 10-12 years ago I was exposed to gunfire outdoors without hearing protection. I immediately had ringing in my ears and my left ear was pretty badly damaged. Since then I have dealt with difficulty hearing conversations, etc... plus sensitivity to loud high-pitched noises. Plus sometimes I get slightly depressed about it and start feeling sorry for myself until I HTFU and move on.
I've accepted that if I ever have to fire a handgun without hearing protection it will destroy what hearing I have left in my left ear.
Lately I have started to think the problem is slowly getting worse and the hearing in my left ear is continuing to degrade. I shoot at indoors ranges 3-4 times per month, and I always double up on earpro. What I don't know is if the shooting, even with good protection, is slowly affecting my left ear or if it is just the natural progression of the problem.
If shooting is causing me to lose what hearing I have left in that ear it presents a conundrum. I shoot to keep my skills up, but also because it's something I enjoy. But it's probably not worth it if it causes me to go completely deaf in one ear.
Does anyone have similar experience they can discuss? Or perhaps an opinion on how shooting might contribute to the problem over time? I will probably see a specialist at some point -- but who knows if that person is an expert on exactly how shooting with hearing protection does or does not further degrade impaired hearing.