Pritchard & Hiker, et. al,
All of "our" forces use hearing protection when prudent, including for LFX, which is most of the time. It is not used ONLY when the carefully assessed risk of NOT hearing result in foreseeable consequences that far outweigh the risk of future hearing loss. Not wearing hearing protection in the vicinity of howitzer blasts and MLRS launches, tank fire, Phalanx, Ma-Duece, AT-4 and any high-pressure wave source impacts adversely on hearing. Suppressed weapons and other "silent" weapons aside, the only individual/crew weapons that I'm aware of that may be fired without fear of immediate potential for tinnitus are the 40mm grenade systems, due to the low-pressure propulsive force.
(addendum: hearing loss and back injury are the top two service connected injuries - DVA)
------------------
Mykl
~~~~~
"If you really want to know what's going on;
then, you have to follow the money trail."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
[This message has been edited by Mykl (edited August 25, 1999).]
All of "our" forces use hearing protection when prudent, including for LFX, which is most of the time. It is not used ONLY when the carefully assessed risk of NOT hearing result in foreseeable consequences that far outweigh the risk of future hearing loss. Not wearing hearing protection in the vicinity of howitzer blasts and MLRS launches, tank fire, Phalanx, Ma-Duece, AT-4 and any high-pressure wave source impacts adversely on hearing. Suppressed weapons and other "silent" weapons aside, the only individual/crew weapons that I'm aware of that may be fired without fear of immediate potential for tinnitus are the 40mm grenade systems, due to the low-pressure propulsive force.
(addendum: hearing loss and back injury are the top two service connected injuries - DVA)
------------------
Mykl
~~~~~
"If you really want to know what's going on;
then, you have to follow the money trail."
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
[This message has been edited by Mykl (edited August 25, 1999).]