I think I really messed my left ear up Saturday. It's ringing still after hunting dove with an 18" 870 (all I have). I was told by the other hunters that hearing protection wasn't needed. It was also my first time hunting so I took their word and rolled with it. It seems like it's gotten better over the past day but I'm worried that it won't go away. I really really wish I had used ear plugs anyways. Anyone have this experience?

I did opening day - I was worried sick as well. Mine went away for the most part after about 5 days. Good luck, I know how bad that feeling is.

If its an 870 12 gauge go to www.metrogun.com and buy the extension together with federal 1 1/8 ounce metrofield load from rogers online.
That combination will reduce noise and recoil by 80%

it should go away, but i recommend wearing some kind of hearing protection. I never did and after years of hunting without it my right ear began to ring and hasn't ever stopped. Never been tested but i know i've lost a considerable amount of hearing in that ear.

Eye and ear protection should always be worn - hearing nerve damage is cumulative and can't be 'undone'.

'I was told by the other hunters ' will get you in trouble all the time.

Yeah I can see that I wasn't given the best advice. I am definitely taking plugs next time. I keep walking around trying to listen to things. I literally can't hear my turbocharger in my left ear. It's like I'm missing out on life.

Always wear the soft ear plugs. It is not worth the hearing lose. I only have about 20% hearing in my left ear from shooting to many years without them.

Invested in a pair of electronic headphones last year before season. Best purchase Ive ever made.

It only takes one mistake and you will be like me. Steady buzz 24/7 from Tinnitus. Drives me crazy when it's quiet around me. Sounds like a high electronic beep that never ends.

Use the ear protection by all means. In my case I have the constant ringing, loss of hearing in the left ear and at times what sounds like a helicopter roar.

I don't mind the ringing so much, but I hate the fact that if I'm around a lot of noises I can't pick any one of them out. Not very handy for trying to talk to women back in the single days in a loud crowded bar.

The electronic ones are great. I use them during duck season but they're way too hot for dove hunting. Windy days will drive you nuts though.

Yep, I can attest to the one mistake part. Fortunately its just one ear, but it still sucks.

When I was in my late 20's I took my first hearing test. The person told me I had ringing in the ear and I thought everyone heard the ringing. WRONG
at 54 I still have ringing in the ear
and I try my best to always wear ear plugs of some kind while shooting a gun

I never hunt with hearing protection and I have never gotten tinnitus from hunting.

I had it for 6 months to a year and finally it went away. I had a rough time with it and now my ear is ultra sensitive. Hope you feel better.

You may not need Ear pro for your shooting but people shooting next to you will make it where you need it. It may not be cool but who cares in 15 years when your still not cool and you cannot hear [censored]!

I am 33ish. I was in Armor (Abrams) in the military and am around 90-95% deaf in one ear and 25% in the other. Tinnitus that would drive you up the wall. Especially when it gets super quiet. It cracks me up when I hear people that I work with complain because their AR is so loud they need ear pro.

I have posted these before but I have been uding them for the last couple years and really like them:

http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/hearing-protection.html

You can still hear enough to have conversations. The pair i have cost under $20.

They sell those Surefire ones at Walmart.

Feel your pain, Marine Artillery here and those 155mm howitzers will leave yer ears a ringin!

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Tactical-Behind...peltor+tactical

I am rarely caught without these... I think we've all made the mistake of not wearing hearing protection one time or another.

If its to loud your to old, rock on!!!!!!!!!

18" barrel will be interesting. Normal length barrels are good to go.

Count your blessings...as time passes that will change if your habits don't.

Always always always wear hearing protection when shooting a gun. I'm mid 50's with profound hearing loss as a result, primarily, from shooting a variety of guns from teen years into my late 20's without protection. I'm paying the price now. The price is: hearing aids (poor substitute for natural sound, and expensive to buy); inability to converse in many situations which makes it hard to be included in conversations, etc.... It's a big regret that I have. Listen to me now, or you won't be able to hear me later!!!

Yeah, 18" barrels really mess you up. I didn't realize that I was damaging them because after the first shot they all just sound muffled. It's gotten slightly better but the tinnitus is still there and I can't hear out of either ear as well as I used to. There were so many higher frequencies that I'm missing out on that I know exist. F.