I have heard a .38 and a 12 gauge shotgun fired indoors right next to me. i was deaf for hours, and my adrenaline was up before the shots were fired. It's a reason I don't really like to use a shotgun for home defense (although i own one). The noise is deafening, the flash is blinding, and the smoke fills the room. I wonder how soldiers do it in combat? IS there hearing protectors inside their helmets or something? Imagine touching off a M240 machine gun while inside?