Traumatic brain injury + ear pro

[fwafwow]

I recently had an bicycle accident and suffered a TBI. I expect to fully recover (whatever that means), but I'm starting to research whether and how to change my life going forward. I currently hunt with a rifle, shotgun and bow. I also carry a pistol on a fairly routine basis. I will ask my neurosurgeon, but I'm not so sure she's up to speed on the issues. Do I need to consider no longer using a firearm for sport?

Thanks in advance.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I don't know anything about brain injuries, but a suppressor will definitely reduce recoil and blast. Maybe stick to cartridges with very low recoil to reduce rattling your brain?

Good luck with your recovery.

 

[bruceleroy]

I've had 2 severe and one minor TBI from blasts and still shoot often and unsuppressed. That doesnt mean that it will be ok for you, time will tell, but in time it should be fine.

 

[wyosam]

Suppressed will certainly help. Big thing I would do is ease into it. Like anything else, if its triggering any symptoms, back away and give it more time. I’ve had quite a few concussions in my life. My last one didn’t even seem like a bad hit, but I was pretty miserable for about 8 months, and slowly improved since then. Its been almost 2 years, and I’m not back to baseline completely and likely never will be. Hard hitting calibers, especially in light rifles are a no go for me, even in plugs and muffs.


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[Bubblehide]

Traumatic brain injuries are nothing to mess around with. Look up Jason Hairston here on Rokslide. His story and end result came from several traumatic brain injuries. Granted, one or 2 are not likely to be a big deal, once you are over them.

As a psychologist, I can tell you that the extent of your injury depend on the areas of the brain affected, along with the degree of damage. I can tell you as someone that has suffered through a significant traumatic brain injury, that it can be a long road of recovery. In my case, it was slow, about 3 years to somewhat full recovery, and about another 3 years to full recovery. When I say full recovery, I mean to a point of as far as you are going to recover, not returning to who you previously were. I have no idea of the extent of your recovery, so I can not comment on your recovery. However, the human brain is a miraculous thing. There is this term call plasticity. What it mean is that the human brain is capable of re-routing. So the functions that were once processed in one area of the brain, can be rerouted, escentially restoring function. Op, based solely on your post here, and the expressed lucidity, it appears you are doing well; if you wrote this on your own. However, TBI often come with some serious mood swings, and depression.. So in short, listen to those around you. Keep getting out and doing what you love; to your ability. In short, own your own recovery.

 

[Sled]

I shoot suppressed now and love it. The lower decibels are nice but the best part is the reduction in concussive effects. In the last few years I've had issues from too many overpressure experiences. It's left me a bit jumpy when I pull the trigger these days. On the shotgun I still feel it with ear pro on and I definitely feel it with the howitzer. Even high explosives don't bother me as much as the slower rolling or pushing forces. With a rifle, a good suppressor is a game changer.

 

[Sekora]

I also have a brain injury (actually from surgery) that has left me with permanent brain damage. I was not sure if I would ever be able to do the things I like to do like shoot, hunt, fish, and hike after starting my recovery. It will be 2 years for me next month and I am doing everything I did before, just a little slower. Like said above, everyone's abilities will be different depending on the area damaged, and the extent of the damage. My advise is to also take it slow and be prepared to accept your "new normal" as it was described to me. I am probably around 70% recovered at this point and hope I make it farther, but realize I will never be 100%. I have issues with my vision now and my hearing which make life difficult at times, but things could of been a lot worse. Good luck with your recovery.

 

[Bigolmuley]

I had a TBI in early ‘16. Pretty severe (steel pole through my skull into my brain)
Left me paralyzed on my right side. Advice to you is don’t let it stop you from anything. Just realize you may have limitations now. Or not. You will be amazed at what your body and mind can compensate for.
It will be easy to get down, but recognize there are others out there with more difficult things to deal with. And they are getting it done.
I have had to learn to shoot left handed, left eye. Shoot a bow with my teeth and a shotgun one armed. It can be done!


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[fwafwow]

Thank you so much to everyone for the responses. My head pain seems to have diminished dramatically and I'm primarily dealing with lower back and rib pain. My neurosurgeon was open to resuming hunting in 6-8 weeks, but she didn't seem to focus at all on archery vs. firearms. I've had retina issues for 30 years, so I've always been sensitive to the dangers of firearms.

I've had some folks tell me to just give up firearms altogether, but I'm not yet prepared to do that.

I tried to research whether any studies suggest that wearing a helmet (tactical or otherwise) can further reduce the concussive effects of firearms. So far my search has only lead to a study that questioned other studies, as most deal with the use of helmets to avoid a direct injury from blunt force trauma, bullet impact, etc. - not whether it would provide any protection from a firearm or other blast. I figure that I already had a NVG setup on my "need" list (!), which would include a helmet - and apart from some good-natured ribbing, there should be no or little downside to wearing a helmet while firing a rifle.

Overall I realize that some of my current search is tied to "too much time" on my hands, and that I can't know at this point (just 2 weeks in) what will be my future. Much appreciation for those who have shared their stories.

 

[Stefan]

I shoot a bolt 50BMG unsuppressed with an AR50 muzzle brake on it and have no issues shooting that (you will get some sinus irritation from the muzzle blast but it is not that severe). I have suffered more than a couple of concussions/experienced my share of blasts but have had no impacts from firearms shooting with the exception of tinnitus and crappy hearing. So, TBI apparently so/actually really so, with multiple neck and back injuries (two discs replaced, T1-3 broken and a lot below damaged).

I seriously doubt that firearms will cause your TBI to worsen. If you are concerned, take a little break from shooting.

I am enjoying some good peltors with gel pads. They help but I sometimes have issues with proper cheek weld with ear muffs. If aggressive muzzle brakes bother you suppressors are great tools. I run my 30 cals suppressed. I highly recommend suppressors.

Helmets have been known to not help with the effects of blasts and certain helmet designs to include the ACH if I remember correctly can have bad effects but that is for large blasts (not a firearm but more like standing next to the main gun in of a tank in the urban environment or an RPG impacting close to you, or an IED going off) . A helmet did save me when a Bradley hatch came down on me after someone pulled the safety pin.

Good luck, let us know how things work out and what you plan to do.

I did some edits to better clarify. I have some papers that I need to find from research done by a Neuro Surgen Dr Murrat who was initially recruited from Germany to work at UC Davis and was later recruited to work at UTASCA. He went to UTASCA because the Aprilia dealership AF1 was there. Anyways, a real cool guy.

 

[fwafwow]

I shoot a bolt 50BMG unsuppressed and have suffered more than a couple of concussions/experienced my share of blasts. So, TBI apparently so. I seriously doubt that firearms will cause your TBI to worsen. If you are concerned take a little break from shooting. I am enjoying some good peltors with gel pads. They help but I sometimes have issues with proper cheek weld with ear muffs. Helmets have been known to not help with the effects. A helmet did save me when a Bradley hatch came down on me when someone pulled the safety pin.

Good luck, let us know how things work out and what you plan to do.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm definitely taking a break from shooting (actually - 4-6 more weeks from almost all activities while the head heals), and am reconsidering how I shoot going forward. My primary care physician seems to think I will be 100% back to normal in that time period, but I am leaning towards being a bit more conservative going forward.

At the moment I am just working towards convincing my physician, and my wife, that I will be good to go for an archery hunt in NE just after the election. She's concerned that I will just "flounder again" and hit my head in some other way. Notwithstanding my assurances about using a safety harness, I may need to wear a helmet even to just archery hunt to alleviate her concerns (which I don't completely discount....)

Which Peltors do you use? I've got quite a few different ear pro options that I use, but I was just yesterday checking Garand Thumb's YouTube channel to see if my Howard Leight's "sport" muffs could be improved. My hearing is already less than perfect.

 

[Stefan]

I am using Peltor Sport Tactical 500 that I ordered from Amazon with a padded cover for the top bridge over your head (it is plastic on the peltors and gives you a headache after a long day at competitions the padded cover helps tremendously with that and is a lot more comfortable) and gel pads for the ears so it is more comfortable and seals better when wearing glasses.

 

[fwafwow]

Thanks so much to all who replied. My update is that I'm very close to "normal", but just with some nagging symptoms that aren't worth whining about. I did got bow hunting Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, and it was great to be outside.

I did hear from multiple sources that concussive blasts can't be reduced by a helmet, or ear pro. I've decided to avoid indoor shooting ranges, at least for now, and maybe forever.

I will post separately specific questions about ear and eye pro options.

 

[fwafwow]

Thanks again to all who have weighed in. I started to post a new thread, but the topic (#3 below) is close enough to this that I'm just updating this thread.

1. >3 months have passed. Other than suffering from anosmia and phantosmia (I can't smell anything real, but I have an almost constant phantom smell), some more frequent "tip of the tongue" instances and a worse case of tinnitus, I seem to be back to "normal".
2. I've taken the follow steps:
   • I've materially improved my ear (and eye) pro (thanks to those who replied to those posts)​
   • I've decided to not use indoor ranges - period​
   • I'm working on suppressing all of my rifles, and some pistols​
3. Since prior concussions and TBIs are said to increase the risk of a future one, I'm still thinking:
   • I may join an outdoor range - but how far from my neighbor shooter will reduce his or her concussive blast? My alternative is just to shoot at a buddy's farm - solo​
   • It appears some are researching whether recoil can harm shooters and cause concussions. This makes sense, but it's news to me. Do I need to consider giving up duck hunting?​

I applaud those who have had a concussion or TBI and can carry on with few changes. My brush with death/persistent vegetative state continues to cause me some level of worry, and maybe that's a personal problem. But I especially welcome anyone with some medical or other knowledge of studies to chime in. My research hasn't yielded much results.

 

[Sled]

a stock pack would help you also. https://triadtactical.com/triad-tactical/all-triad-stock-packs/
firm contact with the rifle comb can transmit those vibrations through your cheek bone and further damage hearing. the effect on the brain is likely minimal but for someone with a serious prior tbi it's just one more thing to consider.

also, i believe if recoil itself is causing more damage to the brain then you need to check your rifle fit or stop trying to shoot anti aircraft guns off the shoulder.

personally i wouldn't consider an outdoor range with people sitting next to me that have muzzle brakes. i prefer the great outdoors but do not know your living situation. if your friend is ok with steel on the property then you're in business. otherwise ask those guys at the range with MB's if you can shoot from behind them.