If lightning struck something right next to you, would you be deaf?

Question

If lightning struck something right next to you, would you be deaf?

Answer 1

No.  I have a friend years back who worked for a power company.  He was once struck by lightning while up on a pole.  Amazingly, he survived.  He never complained of hearing loss, though he did have his own quirks.  For one, he claimed that the lightning had polarized the iron in his body such that he was forever very susceptible to electrical shocks following that experience.  True or not, he didn't work any longer for the power company by the time I knew him.  :)

Answer 2

depends on how close. within a foot and the person more than likely would be deaf for a few minutes I would say due to the rapid expansion of air....but the person would be deaf forever. My aunt's husband was struck and killed while they were riding on a wagon and she was sitting beside him. Luck for her he was holding onto the wet rope that was tied to two horses. Both horses died in the process because they were the ground the lightening used to ground itself to earth.