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My ears don't hurt, but my left ear feels a little blocked afterwards. I was standing a meter and a half away from a machine that fits rim into the tire, while also pumping air or something. The tire was lying horizontal. Anyway it popped loudly like a gunshot. Is this normal sound? I didn't like having my ear blocked. Is this permanent damage to my ear? I didn't have my ear right close to the tire but I was standing close. Is this normal when fitting new tires?

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  • Normal as per the answer, and not likely to damage your ears...
    – Solar Mike
    Dec 25, 2018 at 18:16
  • Googled it and people say blowout caused hearing loss for them, which is why I've been concerned.
    – Altoban
    Dec 25, 2018 at 20:18
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    Well, any reputable shop won’t allow you that close... if you are using the cheap firm of Bodgit & Scarper Ltd then you would need to be dangerously close as the risk of flying particles etc can also be present. Are you sure you know what "blowout" is compared to the noise you describe...
    – Solar Mike
    Dec 25, 2018 at 20:23
  • No I don't know, it's a loud pop like a gunshot. I think I heard it before as a kid when Inflating balls with a pump.
    – Altoban
    Dec 25, 2018 at 20:52
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    @Altoban If your primary concern is your hearing health then go see a doctor and they will perform some tests. If you incur hearing loss then you can seek financial compensation from the tire shop for putting you in a dangerous position. If you have no further concerns about your tire then get off your keyboard and get your hearing tested.
    – MonkeyZeus
    Dec 26, 2018 at 13:10

1 Answer 1

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This is absolutely normal. What's going on is they are seating the beads of the tire against the rims. In order to get them to do this, they have to over pressurize the tires a bit, which then allows the beads to pop over the sides and seat hard against the rims. This ensures they are in position correctly on the rim and promotes sealing after the fact.

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  • Is this the same pop sound from when over inflating like a volley ball or some kind of ball using a pump? I think it sounds like that.
    – Altoban
    Dec 25, 2018 at 21:35
  • It's pretty loud, especially if you're standing near it and you aren't expecting it. More than enough to startle someone. Just understand, this is completely normal.
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Dec 25, 2018 at 21:38
  • The tech should have warned you before it popped. Many techs wear earplugs, since they are less than 1.5 meters away, and doing that work regularly.
    – John Canon
    Dec 26, 2018 at 5:57
  • So it's normal but how bad is it for me, should I see a doc?
    – Altoban
    Dec 26, 2018 at 12:15
  • You'll be fine, go check a doctor if that scares you but I'm ready to bet you'll be perfectly okay.
    – Pierre P.
    Dec 26, 2018 at 13:48

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