Hello S & W Community, from Oregon!

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I discovered your site today when I Googled "Federal Champion 357 ammo", and clicked on your link when it came up. I haven't purchased ammo in a long time, even though I've owned my 357 magnum handgun since the day I turned 21 and could buy a handgun. I've plinked with it some, but without ear protection the first year or so because I reasoned -- what fun is it to shoot off an awesome weapon like this if you can't hear the mighty BOOM go off, followed by it echoing thru the hills?!? Yes, my ears always rang something terrible right after I shot, but it always went away....that is until it stopped going away. Since I was 22 (35 years and counting), I have lived with a chronic, NEVER-ceasing companion known as TINNITIS. I'm sure most everyone here knew precisely where I was going with all this.

I would like to use this opportunity to IMPLORE all shooters -- especially those who are young, invincible, indestructible and NEW to shooting a large handgun like I was at the time -- to PLEASE learn from my severe case of naivety, combined with a heapin', helpin' dose of stupidity, and ALWAYS wear ear and eye protection when firing ANYthing that goes BOOM or BANG! Tinnitus is NO LAUGHING MATTER! :( You can NOT escape it. There is no known cure. It is with you 365/24/7. You either learn to cope with it -- and maybe use some "white noise" devices like fans, music, specialized white noise machines, etc., when you are in quiet environments -- most notably at bedtime, when it makes its presence particularly known -- or it has the all-too-real potential to drive you nuts (for lack of a better medical term)! I encourage you to listen to William Shatner's (Captain Kirk) four minute story if you need any prompting or convincing whatsoever. William Shatner speaks about his tinnitus - YouTube

I really got on my soapbox, didn't I?!? Sorry about that! Truly. It's just that I feel so strongly about this issue because the terrible condition never gives me a moment's peace. I have no recollection of what pure silence "sounds" like. You have no idea how badly I wish I could lay in bed at night and hear what is REALLY there rather than this screeching gunpowder-made ring that no one can hear but me, and which makes it impossible to hear quiet, peaceful sounds, such as my wife's gentle, restful breathing beside me, and of course other natural, Earthly sounds that I've altogether forgotten, and that most people simply take for granted. But none of this is likely to ever change for the simple fact that this loud ringing in my ears never leaves me alone for even a split second, and it was entirely brought about by firing my 357 magnum handgun without any ear protection whatsoever! In other words, it was 100% avoidable. In sports, they would call it an unforced error.

Thanks so much for your time, and I look forward to being a member of this community. I shall be much briefer from here on out. You have my word. :) Besides, the more I talk about my tinnitus, the more I find myself fixating on it -- like right now -- and I must now fight a VERY hard uphill battle to hopefully get myself back to where I am able to "ignore" it for the most part. No easy feat I assure you. Once again, PLEASE be smarter than I was. PROTECT your hearing as if your sanity depended upon it!

Sincerely, Myles357
 
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Welcome aboard Myles from the great state of Pennsylvania! Thanks for your tinnitus warning to our young pups on the forum...
 
Myles357,
Thanks for sharing and Welcome to the forum from your neighbor in Salem.........

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Rodger
Retired LEO
 
Welcome. Whoa, 357 no ear cover.

There was this old man just got a new hearing aid. His friend asked: what kind is it? The old guy says: "it's quarter to 12". Joke..ha ha.
 
Welcome from Texas Myles357. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

Excellent advice.
 
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