The acoustic reflex is too slow to shield the ear from gunshots

Evidence

This effect is known as the “acoustic reflex.” It takes some 60 to 120 ms for the muscles to contract in response to a loud sound. In the case of a loud impulsive sound such as the firing of a large gun, it has been suggested that the acoustic reflex is too slow to protect the hearing system. In gunnery situations, a sound loud enough to trigger the acoustic reflex but not so loud as to damage the hearing systems is often played at least 120 ms before the gun is fired. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 542

Categorization

• FICTION: The deliberate 120ms pre-trigger warning sound in gunnery is a striking real-world detail that could seed a sensory-detail or mechanism in a story about warfare or hearing.
• CANDY: The fact that gunners play a warning sound before firing so their reflex engages first is a fun, odd-warfare fact for conversation.
• XREF: connects to: The acoustic reflex is too slow to protect against sudden loud sounds — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 542