A friend of mine and I went down to a firing range to do some target shooting. Part of the gear we normally took with us included a set of "Lee-Sonic ear valves." These are ear plugs that don't block normal sound, but any sudden sound wave—like a gun shot close by—closes the valve, protecting the wearer's ears.

One day I forgot to put mine in. Loren, standing about eight feet to my right, fired his first shot at the target. He was firing a 9 milllimeter Smith & Wesson automatic. VERY loud!!

My right ear rang for three days! Needless to say, I never forgot to put in my Lee-Sonics again.

On another occasion, a lady-friend and I went downtown to a place that used to be a coffee house that featured a resident folk singer. When we got there, we discovered that it had morphed into a rock club. There was a four piece band there, complete with amplified guitars and electric basses. mic stands and amplifiers all over the small stage, and big speakers everywhere. All turned up to top volume.

Tedi and I stayed for less than fifteen minutes. Finally we signaled each other (conversation even at close range was impossible), and beat a hurried retreat.

Her ears as well as mine rang, again, for three days afterward.

My hearing is precious to me. I don't hang around when volume levels are that high.

Don Firth