Deafness and the shout spell..

[Bodah]

The shout spell deals damage and also makes an opponent deafened for a few rounds. However the other night a player in my group used the shout spell on an opponent that was already deafened... DM ruled that the spell did no damage, and also didnt add to the duration of the targets already going deafness. How fair is this ruling in your opinion? Is it correct by the rules?

Semi related question: Does sonic damage hurt deaf targets at all normally?

 

[FireLance]

According to the SRD (Types, Subtypes, Abilities):

Sonic Attacks (Su): Unless otherwise noted, a sonic attack follows the rules for spreads. The range of the spread is measured from the creature using the sonic attack. Once a sonic attack has taken effect, deafening the subject or stopping its ears does not end the effect. Stopping one’s ears ahead of time allows opponents to avoid having to make saving throws against mind-affecting sonic attacks, but not other kinds of sonic attacks (such as those that deal damage). Stopping one’s ears is a full-round action and requires wax or other soundproof material to stuff into the ears.

Although Shout is a spell and not a Supernatural sonic attack, I would apply the same rules. A deaf opponent should still take sonic damage and would be deafened, but the duration of the deafened condition would overlap.

 

[kreynolds]

Although Shout is a spell and not a Supernatural sonic attack...

It's ok. I don't think you have to explain. If things that can't hear don't take sonic damage, then you can't damage an object with sonic energy, but the PH specifically states the effects of sonic damage on objects. So...deaf doesn't mean anything in regards to the damage (unless the spell specifically requires the creature to be able to hear, for example).