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Message no. 1
From: Luke Kendall <luke@********.CANON.OZ.AU>
Subject: Hearing and explosions?
Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 09:17:24 +1000
I was hoping that maybe someone with military experience could answer
a question I have ...

If someone temporarily loses their hearing due to a loud, nearby
explosion:

a) How long would you expect the loss to be for? Could it be
for as little as half an hour?

b) Do the high frequencies or the low recover first?

c) What auditory effects are experienced during recovery - roaring,
ringing, what?

It's for something I'm writing, and I'm hoping to avoid a medical
library search. Anecdotal experience would be great.

Optimistically,

luke
Message no. 2
From: Paul Finch <pfinch@****.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hearing and explosions?
Date: Sun, 14 May 1995 22:09:36 -0600
On Mon, 1 May 1995, Luke Kendall wrote:

> I was hoping that maybe someone with military experience could answer
> a question I have ...
>
> If someone temporarily loses their hearing due to a loud, nearby
> explosion:

How big and of what type? There are to many variables to look at like 1)
How close were they to the explosion, two what kind of protection their
ears had(gods forbid if they had high/low freq with out a damper). If
you could give me some ideas as to the above I can help you. I used to
toss 4.2 " mortar rounds down range all the time.
>
> a) How long would you expect the loss to be for? Could it be
> for as little as half an hour?
>
> b) Do the high frequencies or the low recover first?
>
> c) What auditory effects are experienced during recovery - roaring,
> ringing, what?
>
> It's for something I'm writing, and I'm hoping to avoid a medical
> library search. Anecdotal experience would be great.
>
> Optimistically,
>
> luke
>

Let me know and I'll help.

Edge

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They are infinitely patient, prefering to minimize risks to themelves and
suffer a thousand defeats if they gain the final victory. Still, they are
diabolically clever, and devious in the extream. If they fail militarily,
they infiltrate and corrupt. Now they are on the march once more, and the
more they are set back, the more determined, devious and dangerous they
become. Curr ahee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Peterson (Paul Finch) Edge | US Army Ret. 1/506th Inf (Mtr. Lt.)
EMT-Paramedic/BSN Wanna-be and Will-Be! Self Empowered Gun Nut
Message no. 3
From: Luke Kendall <luke@********.CANON.OZ.AU>
Subject: Re: Hearing and explosions?
Date: Mon, 15 May 1995 23:56:09 +1000
> On Mon, 1 May 1995, Luke Kendall wrote:

> > I was hoping that maybe someone with military experience could answer
> > a question I have ...
> >
> > If someone temporarily loses their hearing due to a loud, nearby
> > explosion:

Paul Finch <pfinch@****.edu> wrote:

> How big and of what type? There are to many variables to look at like 1)
> How close were they to the explosion, two what kind of protection their
> ears had(gods forbid if they had high/low freq with out a damper). If
> you could give me some ideas as to the above I can help you. I used to
> toss 4.2 " mortar rounds down range all the time.

Well, _anything_ you could tell me would help. The 3 questions below
are all I need to know:

> > a) How long would you expect the loss to be for? Could it be
> > for as little as half an hour?
> >
> > b) Do the high frequencies or the low recover first?
> >
> > c) What auditory effects are experienced during recovery - roaring,
> > ringing, what?

Here's some more details, though: the explosion is the thunderclap
of a lightning strike less than 10 metres away; and there was some
magical protection from the sound, but it was insufficient. In
particular, the protection was good enough for `normal' people,
but not enough for one person with enhanced hearing (sensitivity,
and high and low frequencies, yes).

> Let me know and I'll help.

Please!

Would you prefer we took this to private email, or would
you rather share it with the list?

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> They are infinitely patient, prefering to minimize risks to themelves and
> suffer a thousand defeats if they gain the final victory. [...]

Intriguing signature: I assume you're referring to Microsoft, right? :-)

luke
Message no. 4
From: Paul Finch <pfinch@****.EDU>
Subject: Re: Hearing and explosions?
Date: Mon, 15 May 1995 18:15:54 -0600
On Mon, 15 May 1995, Luke Kendall wrote:

> > > I was hoping that maybe someone with military experience could answer
> > > a question I have ...

Unfortunately I am well qualified for this one....

> > > If someone temporarily loses their hearing due to a loud, nearby
> > > explosion:

> Paul Finch <pfinch@****.edu> wrote:
>
> > How big and of what type? There are to many variables to look at like 1)
> > How close were they to the explosion, two what kind of protection their
> > ears had(gods forbid if they had high/low freq with out a damper). If
> > you could give me some ideas as to the above I can help you. I used to
> > toss 4.2 " mortar rounds down range all the time.
>
> Well, _anything_ you could tell me would help. The 3 questions below
> are all I need to know:
>
> > > a) How long would you expect the loss to be for? Could it be
> > > for as little as half an hour?

I would figure that the statement of loss would not be the best choice in
words for this. I would use degradation of hearing in stead. If we are
talking perception tests I would use +6 to TN for first 10 minutes then
+5 to TN for the next 10 and so on untill you are at a +/-0 to TN.

> > > b) Do the high frequencies or the low recover first?

Im not sure wich is but they are all fragged to hell anyway you put it.
Again its degradation of the sense as opposed to saying its not working
at all.

> > > c) What auditory effects are experienced during recovery - roaring,
> > > ringing, what?

All and none, depends on the person.

> Here's some more details, though: the explosion is the thunderclap
> of a lightning strike less than 10 metres away; and there was some
> magical protection from the sound, but it was insufficient. In particular,
the protection was good enough for `normal' people,
> but not enough for one person with enhanced hearing (sensitivity,
> and high and low frequencies, yes).

I would say double the penalties I gave above for the sorry sod. Best of
luck and let me know how it turns out.

>
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > They are infinitely patient, prefering to minimize risks to themelves and
> > suffer a thousand defeats if they gain the final victory. [...]
>
> Intriguing signature: I assume you're referring to Microsoft, right? :-)

Quite good sir! But its from the Soulrider seires of novels.

Laters Edge

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They are infinitely patient, prefering to minimize risks to themelves and
suffer a thousand defeats if they gain the final victory. Still, they are
diabolically clever, and devious in the extream. If they fail militarily,
they infiltrate and corrupt. Now they are on the march once more, and the
more they are set back, the more determined, devious and dangerous they
become. Curr ahee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Peterson (Paul Finch) Edge | US Army Ret. 1/506th Inf (Mtr. Lt.)
EMT-Paramedic/BSN Wanna-be and Will-Be! Self Empowered Gun Nut
Message no. 5
From: Luke Kendall <luke@********.CANON.OZ.AU>
Subject: Re: Hearing and explosions?
Date: Wed, 17 May 1995 09:53:20 +1000
Paul Finch wrote:

... lots of helpful stuff, ending with ...

> I would say double the penalties I gave above for the sorry sod.

What I had assumed sounds about right, then - I thought the
person would be effectively deafened for some time.

And I gather you'd expect some hearing recovery in 10 or 20 minutes,
provided that the hearing loss was not permanent.

> Best of luck and let me know how it turns out.

I will. Probably take 6 months, though. :-(

Again, thanks a lot.

luke

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