The Iconic Auditory Trauma Scene from "Saving Private Ryan" Becomes a Common Film Technique

We've all seen the scene: an explosion goes off a few feet from the protagonist, and the film's sound suddenly goes silent. A soldier grips a severed limb, the film shifts into slow motion, and a buzzing sound fills the air. This auditory effect, presented in THX sound, employs frequencies rarely used in cinema, simulating a tinnitus-like condition.

This is one of the most overused techniques in filmmaking—the auditory trauma scene, also known as the tinnitus shot. Yet, it remains prevalent. In "Fallout" (2024), we witness this when the Brotherhood of Steel captures Knight Maximus. Explosions go off nearby, and he and the audience are engulfed in a buzzing sound.

In 1998, Steven Spielberg created what is still considered one of the greatest war films, "Saving Private Ryan (1998)." A famous scene depicts the U.S. Army landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. As Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) storms the beach, an explosion erupts at his feet. A soldier attempts to reattach his severed limb, and Miller, in shock, hears nothing but a loud ringing. This scene, however, was not the first use of the auditory trauma technique.

The Origins of the Auditory Trauma Scene

Although "Saving Private Ryan" is highly praised for its use of the auditory trauma effect, this technique had been used earlier. The first instance was in Neil Simon's "The Out of Towners" (1970), a disaster comedy where the protagonists, George Kellerman and his wife, encounter a series of misfortunes in New York City, including a maintenance hole cover exploding. This scene employs the tinnitus effect.

"Come and See" Revolutionized the Auditory Trauma Scene

Steven Spielberg, while making "Saving Private Ryan," was undoubtedly influenced by "Cop Land" (1997). However, Elem Klimov's Belarusian anti-war film "Come and See" (1985) also significantly inspired him. This film, from the perspective of a young boy, depicts the Nazi invasion of Belarus.

Elem Klimov was one of the first directors to use the auditory trauma technique to convey the horrors of war. In "Come and See," a pivotal scene shows young Flyora (Aleksey Kravchenko) being deafened by explosions as German paratroopers invade his village. The sound first cuts out completely, followed by a ringing noise.

This use of the auditory trauma effect as a narrative and empathetic device greatly influenced films like "Schindler's List" (1993) and "Saving Private Ryan." Spielberg's use of the technique in "Saving Private Ryan" to put the audience in Tom Hanks' shoes ignited this cinematic trend.

"Saving Private Ryan" Fueled an Unending Trend

Despite inexplicably losing to "Shakespeare in Love" (1998) at the 71st Academy Awards, "Saving Private Ryan" left an indelible mark, grossing nearly $500 million and setting a new standard for sound effects in war scenes. Over the next 25 years, this trope appeared repeatedly in films. From Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" (2012) to Władysław Szpilman in "The Pianist" (2002), characters often experienced temporary deafness from explosions.

While new films inevitably borrow elements from their predecessors, continuing to use the auditory trauma scene to evoke empathy feels outdated. Relying on a worn-out trope from one of the 20th century's most incredible war films is tiresome. However, some films have found innovative ways to incorporate this effect into their storytelling.

Innovative Uses of the Auditory Trauma Scene in Films

"Dallas Buyers Club" (2013) employs this effect to foreshadow protagonist Ron Woodroof's (Matthew McConaughey) death, using his impaired hearing to signal the progression of his AIDS. In "Children of Men" (2006), when Theo (Clive Owen) experiences an explosion in a café, the ringing in his ears persists. Julian (Julianne Moore) explains, "You know that ringing in your ears? That's the sound of your ear cells dying, like their swan song. Once it's gone, you'll never hear that frequency again."

Despite some writers, directors, and sound designers attempting to push the auditory trauma scene in new directions, others continue replicating Spielberg's usage. Even A24's innovative team fell into this pattern with their latest film, "Civil War" (2024). Unless "smell-o-vision" becomes a new sensory tool for filmmakers, the auditory trauma scene will continue to be recycled.