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Unknown suppressors OG testing
- Thread starter Dioni A
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sndmn11
"DADDY"
So, the alternative is to damage your ears? That seems to be your complaint about using a suppressor, correct? "Ears ringing" from one shot.
Objectively, for the people who genuinely want to protect their hearing from supersonic report, this is a multi tool solution. Voluntarily buying a suppressor knowing what the result will be and CHOOSING to not implement any other hearing protection is only one person's fault.
Q_Sertorius
WKR
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I read the whole thread. Twice. I don’t recall someone saying that you needed to be at 120 db to avoid hearing loss from an infrequent exposure. That is not the OSHA number.
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BBob
WKR
DB (decibel) measures the absolute sound pressure level without considering human hearing sensitivity, while dB(A) is a weighted measurement that adjusts for how humans perceive different frequencies, giving more importance to sounds in the range of human hearing. This makes dB(A) more relevant for assessing noise pollution and potential hearing damage.
Understanding dB and dB(A)
What is dB?
- Definition: Decibel (dB) is a unit that measures sound pressure levels.
- Characteristics: It is a linear scale; a 10 dB increase means a tenfold increase in sound pressure.
- Usage: dB measures the absolute strength of sound without considering human hearing sensitivity.
What is dB(A)?
- Definition: A-weighted decibel (dB(A)) adjusts the dB measurement to reflect human hearing sensitivity.
- Characteristics: It gives more weight to frequencies that humans hear better (around 2-5 kHz) and less to very low and high frequencies.
- Usage: Commonly used for assessing noise levels in environments where human perception is important, such as workplaces and public spaces.
Key Differences Between dB and dB(A)
| Measurement Type | Absolute sound pressure | Adjusted for human hearing |
| Frequency Sensitivity | Equal across all frequencies | More sensitive to mid-range |
| Common Applications | General sound measurement | Noise pollution, hearing safety |
Implications of Using dB vs dB(A)
- Hearing Safety: dB(A) is often used in regulations for noise exposure limits to protect hearing.
- Sound Quality: dB is useful for technical measurements where frequency response is not a concern.
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I took one shot the other day with my Scythe, and my ears rang. Is it hearing safe?
Q_Sertorius
WKR
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Dude, you are the one selling the OG. Is it hearing safe or not? What is the db rating for the product you are selling?
You aren’t selling the Scythe. The Scythe, for all its faults, is advertised as hearing safe and doesn’t make my ears ring. The Scythe’s manufacturer rates it at 132.6 dbA. The information in this thread and other threads, lists the OG’s rating as 132-133 dbA. Based upon that, I expected them to be similar. I was surprised when one made my ears ring and the other didn’t. But if both are “hearing safe” for one shot, it’s immaterial.
You advertised the OG as hearing safe. Then you say that hearing safe requires 120-db reduction. When OSHA defines hearing safe for limited exposure as reducing to 140-dbA. So, your responses leave me really wondering.
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Q_Sertorius
WKR
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Yes, but OSHA hearing safe is 140-dbA for an infrequent event, such as a single explosion. The suppressor is supposed to get that explosion below 140-dbA instead of the ~170 dbA from an unsuppressed shot. In other words, a single unsuppressed shot *could* cause permanent hearing loss. A suppressor is supposed to make a single shot “hearing safe” for one shot in X amount of time (your ears need time to recover). But if you expect to fire more than one shot in X amount of time, then you need to wear hearing protection. Like on the range.
Repeated exposure to even much lower volumes for longer times is also problematic for hearing loss. So, even with a great suppressor on a rimfire, you should be wearing hearing protection for a range session.
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Grabs popcorn... 
Idk why this thread is so entertaining....
Idk why this thread is so entertaining....
My ears are ringing after reading this thread (tinnitus), is this thread hearing safe?
Sounds like the questions and arguments from a decade ago when dB(3’ left of muzzle) was the main marketing argument/pitch. And people that have never shot suppressors before expecting “hearing safe” to equate to “Hollywood quiet”. Which it is most definitely not.
In my book a suppressor needs to be below the OSHA 140dB threshold to be worth looking at. At both the muzzle and ear.
Beyond that there are a whole slew of other large benefits a suppressor adds to a rifle that this conversation is forgetting. Mitigation of the felt muzzle blast concussion and Reduction in recoil with out adding muzzle blast concussion being the two biggest ones for me.
There are clear trade offs on sound and recoil mitigation based on length and sometimes weight of suppressor and some internal baffle designs that can make the attributes of a slightly shorter suppressor match that of a slightly larger one but there is absolutely no free lunch. A 2” suppressor will never match a 9” suppressor. Your ammo and rifle combo also matter in the suppresson equation.
In my book a suppressor needs to be below the OSHA 140dB threshold to be worth looking at. At both the muzzle and ear.
Beyond that there are a whole slew of other large benefits a suppressor adds to a rifle that this conversation is forgetting. Mitigation of the felt muzzle blast concussion and Reduction in recoil with out adding muzzle blast concussion being the two biggest ones for me.
There are clear trade offs on sound and recoil mitigation based on length and sometimes weight of suppressor and some internal baffle designs that can make the attributes of a slightly shorter suppressor match that of a slightly larger one but there is absolutely no free lunch. A 2” suppressor will never match a 9” suppressor. Your ammo and rifle combo also matter in the suppresson equation.
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I have probably sold more Scythes than OGs, and I don't work for either company.
Your answers are in this thread....
wind gypsy
"DADDY"
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My $300 MSA Sordin pro-x muffs are rated at less than 30 db reduction IIRC. So about 170 to 140. I think most foamies are rated a little over 30 db.. So my hearing protection doesn't make it safe to shoot guns either from that perspective.
Q_Sertorius
WKR
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A “normal gunshot” is approximately 170 dbA. Exposure to that noise level for even a single exposure can cause permanent hearing loss. Not “will”, but “can.”
The suppressor is supposed to get that one shot down below 140-dbA. That is the level at which OSHA has determined that the risk of permanent hearing loss from an infrequent exposure is acceptably low.
Permanent hearing loss can still occur from repeated exposure to sounds below 140-db. The little tiny hairs in your ear need time to recover. So, generally, it is safe to fire one suppressed shot in X amount of time (at least an hour, but I personally try to limit it to one shot per day without ear plugs in). If I plan to fire more than one shot, I put in earplugs.
My complaint was that firing one shot from the “hearing safe” OG made my ears ring. My misunderstanding was that I thought “ears ringing” aka tinnitus, was something that only happened above 140-dbA. So, I questioned whether the OG was really getting it below 140-dbA from my 18” 6.5 Grendel bolt action in the prone position in an open field. I have since been educated that tinnitus can be caused by “hearing safe” sounds.
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140 dbA isn't necessarily hearing safe even for a single shot. In fact, it likely isn't. ASA has been working with several audiologists for about a decade on suppressor sound testing, and none of them are willing to say that any "dose" is actually safe because there are too many variables in both environmental factors and human physiology.
...As long as they are properly inserted and fully sealed -- which is somewhat uncommon in the real world.
Q_Sertorius
WKR
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I am comfortable following the OSHA standard. That is who sets the “hearing safe” standard that this industry follows. Everything in life causes some risk of something bad. My watch tells me I am exposing myself to unsafe sound conditions whenever my daughter throws a tantrum, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have had kids.
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It seems as though you are not taking into account YOUR ears. They are not calibrated and may have already sustained damage at some point in their life time. Your ears ringing from one shot with an OG doesn’t mean that the properly measured DBA isn’t at what they claim it is.
Not trying to argue. But this is one of the reasons that comparing suppressors is very difficult without using the proper equipment and protocols (Including things like same atmospheric conditions).
Edit: from not form
that one went right over your head.
DB rating is published, whether or not you believe it is up to you.
OG – Unknown Suppressors
unknownsuppressors.com
Q_Sertorius
WKR
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Right. The hearing protection is designed to reduce sounds to acceptable risk levels, not zero risk levels.
Which is why repeated exposure to loud noises requires multiple layers of protection.
Walking past a roaring tractor isn’t likely to cause permanent hearing damage. But if you are going to drive it all day, you should have ear plugs in and headphones on.
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