You're a 5-8 year old kid...

Have you ever tried to hold an eight year old with one arm? I have a pair of eight year olds, and let me tell you, they're squirmy little boogers.

That aside, I wouldn't expect they'd go deaf... besides, they'd probably be too busy kicking and trying to bite her to even notice.

Yes, temporarily. So, too, will the shooter.

Something most people who have never fired a gun fail to realize is just how LOUD they really are. Also depends on the kind of handgun, as some seem louder than others (revolvers, for example, where the explosive force that actually propels the bullet is in the open and not contained as much as it is in say an automatic.)

And the more you shoot, the louder it is. That's why on shooting ranges everyone is required to wear protection.

I'd imagine that has more to do with how far the gun was from the kid's ear, rather than how old the kid was. If the child was being held by the gunman's left forearm, and the gunman was firing with his right hand, no. If the gunman was both holding, and firing with the same arm, it might damage one's hearing.

Actually, I think any hearing loss from gunshots is more of a long term hearing loss, not instant permanent deafness.

mommyjo2 said:

Actually, I think any hearing loss from gunshots is more of a long term hearing loss, not instant permanent deafness.

Click to expand...

Ah, but depending on the number of shots fired, the type of weapon, and - as you correctly pointed out - the relative position of gun to ear... you can achieve a temporary loss of hearing pretty easily.

There's a good scene in "Black Hawk Down" that has to do with that, though the firearm involved there is NOT something your character will be shooting one-handed. Unless it's the Terminator or something.

Couple unknowns on the handgun, capacity and calibre. Huge diff in the noise created by a five shot .22 v. 14 rounds of .45.
More noise=greater stun, startle, pain, and, if conditions are dark, there's much more muzzle flash from the latter calibre/capacity extreme v. the the former.

Anyhoo, deafness is a strong term and I would not expect actual, true deafness. Tinnitus is likely, esp w/ something more like latter choice in cal/cap, but actual deafness can be more an effect of psychological trauma. Kid in that case may also quit talking. That said, it is perfectly reasonable for a kid to experience a permanent hearing deficit from the event

Quite a bit of diff in what I'd expect from an avg 8 yo v. a 5 yo, too.

Kid may also receive some tiny burns or at least flecks of debris on part of body closest to the flash, and if the pistol is semi-auto, could catch a piece of hot brass in clothing/eyeglasses. This can become a second degree burn (Have had those when the empty goes down the shirt. An adult can ignore it for the moment but a kid is not likely to mind-over-matter the hot metal on his chest.)