Earplugs

[Andersonh1]

How many of you use them? I decided from day one that they were essential. I already have hearing damage from too many loud concerts as a teenager, and with all those guns and cannons going off, I didn't want to add to it. I've tried cotton, which is adequate and doesn't stand out as non-period correct. I had some bright orange ones my first time out, and this last time I found some flesh-colored foam earplugs (if you're a white guy like me anyway), which I'm going to stick with. The one time I forgot to take them... let's just say my ears did not thank me. I see most of the other guys out there without them, and I don't see how they do it.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I use my Phonak ear plugs I had made during my time in the army.

When I had them made I had to look at a piece of paper for selecting the color, so one is like on the picture and the other is unfortunately more yellow...

 

[John Winn]

Definitely get some. Major a's look about as invisible as you're going to get.

I, too, listened to loud concerts and also fires handguns without protection (hey, I was young and clueless) and have had a high-range loss all my life as a result. The only positive thing I can say for that is it kept me out of Vietnam. When I used to shoot competitively I bought the best protection I could get and used both foam plugs and electronic ear muffs.

Musket fire may not be the same as modern firearms but it's got to be damaging. Anything you lose you'll lose forever. Do some Googling maybe to see what's currently available but get something.

 

[frontrank2]

I use cotton, I know it's not the best, but it helps. I find the noise that hurts my ears the most ( other than standing right next to a cannon ) is from the percussion caps on the muskets. If the man standing next to me is too close, the frequency of the sound those caps make goes right through my brain and hurts like H***. Then my ear rings for a good 5 minutes. The cotton in my ears makes it tolerable.

 

[Pvt.Shattuck]

I just remove my hearing aids

 

[18thmississippi]

Ear pro should be made a requirement

 

[fireman93514]

I serve on a ten pound parrott. We always use them.

 

[jekct1212]

What did you say?

 

[Tin cup]

A note on something folk haven't mentioned yet...Safety?
I'd hate to see an accident happen because someone on a firing line didn't hear a command because of earplugs. Or an artillery unit command misunderstood, or not heard correctly because of someone having earplugs, and something bad happens.
Something to consider.

Kevin Dally

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

I wear ear plugs.....Never had a problem with hearing orders, either....The ear plugs dull the concussion of the gunfire more than they blot out someone speaking to me or shouting orders.

 

[John Winn]

A note on something folk haven't mentioned yet...Safety?
I'd hate to see an accident happen because someone on a firing line didn't hear a command because of earplugs. Or an artillery unit command misunderstood, or not heard correctly because of someone having earplugs, and something bad happens.
Something to consider.

Kevin Dally

Surely you aren't suggesting that one shouldn't protect one's hearing because doing so might impair hearing a command ? I don't know what's available these days that wouldn't be noticeable (i.e. not muffs) but I'd guess there's something that wouldn't make one deaf while also preventing permanent hearing damage. I'd certainly not participate in an activity that required me to lose my hearing. Just sayin'.

 

[thomas aagaard]

A note on something folk haven't mentioned yet...Safety?
I'd hate to see an accident happen because someone on a firing line didn't hear a command because of earplugs. Or an artillery unit command misunderstood, or not heard correctly because of someone having earplugs, and something bad happens.
Something to consider.

First of all I fail to see what kind of order that can be.

2nd The man in charge is responsible for yelling sufficiently loud... And that is in no way something everyone can just do. It require practices.
If you are not sure if everyone hear the order repeat it. Also that is why you should have a bugler.

And with the advanced age of some reenactores I think bad hearing is a bigger issue.

That said, If there is no firing then hearing orders should not be an issue.
And if there is firing, then the firing will be an issue ear plugs or not.

Also if you dont wear some and a cannon goes off then the ringing will be a much bigger issue. And before long your damaged hearing will be a bigger issue.

Naturally the advantage of good modern earplugs is that they simply lower the loud noises... I have no issue talking with people around me.

But In the end it is pretty simple, I managed to protect my hearing despite 15 years of playing in a brass band and a few years in the army. Not going to risk it for a hobby.

 

[18thmississippi]

I'm pretty sure there are those who say that's "farby" yeah Wel come talk to me in a few years see who can hear better !!!!! I'm half deaf anyway

 

[photoman475]

I wear them. I unfortunately work a job that spends waaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on the phone, so I need my hearing for that. I know that when I've forgotten to put them in, it's not fun for a while after that, especially if it's a cap only, like after cleaning the musket.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

By the way, I am Corporal for a gun crew on an original 3 inch Ordnance Rifle, giving commands to them.....I NEVER once had a fellow tell me that he never heard my orders because he had his ear plugs in.

 

[JOHN42768]

I wear hearing aids full time thanks to a combination of my .357 and mowing 5 hours every week. When you are young, you are invincible. Yeah, right. Most all will cut out high volume surround sounds. Some hearing protection should be a requirement not an option.

 

[smicha6551]

I'd keep in mind even with ear protection the noise level is enough to cause damage long term. I'll spare the OSHA standards but some cotton is NOT enough.

 

[FrazierC]

A note on something folk haven't mentioned yet...Safety?
I'd hate to see an accident happen because someone on a firing line didn't hear a command because of earplugs. Or an artillery unit command misunderstood, or not heard correctly because of someone having earplugs, and something bad happens.
Something to consider.

Kevin Dally

What I have found to be the best remedy for this is wearing an ear plug in my left ear (the "field side", if you will) and leaving my right ear unblocked to hear commands.

 

[Yankeedave]

Have read that rebs crossing the cotton field at Stones River were grabbing cotton and stuffing it in their ears.

 

[Rio Bravo]

I wish that I had worn some kind of Ear defenders when I was doing .303 target shooting at school. I now suffer from Tinnitus from both ears which is hard to cope with !