Charon wrote on 09/11/09 at 18:40:53:I have been using earplugs while riding motorcycles for probably fifteen years, and wish I had started sooner. When I first enlisted in the Air Force they didn't issue earplugs in Basic where we used the M1 Carbine outdoors. Some years later when I was required to qualify on the M16 - on a covered firing range - they offered earplugs. Being young and dumb I didn't think I needed them. Until I fired the first shots, and then I went for the earplugs. In Vietnam they didn't issue earplugs to passengers, but did for aircrews. Later, they were issuing earplugs to passengers too. I use earplugs for mowing and chainsawing, too. Unfortunately, the ringing in my ears will never go away. You young guys, especially, start protecting your hearing NOW. Once it goes, it never returns.
Charon is exactly right. I was never in the service, so I cannot say those things, but I had been around enough other loud things; guns, mowers, saws, weedeaters, engines and so forth that the ringing never goes away. I try to tell my folks to use protection, but they think they do not need it.
Wednesday night after church my son asked me if i heard the cricket that started chirping when I started my lesson. I looked at him and said, "The crickets never stop chirping." Another guy, about my age agreed.
Wear those earplugs guys, you will miss the whispering in your ear later.
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