Having grown up and spending much of my youth on a gun range, my hearing went south many years ago. By the time it was popular to wear hearing protection when shooting, I was wearing hearing aids in both ears. Last hearing test showed 36% of normal in one ear and 24% in the other. With hearing aids in it goes up to 66% and 54%. Constant ringing in both ears is standard. When hunting I ALWAYS wear Pro Ears electronic muffs to prevent more damage and keep ears warmer. When practicing, I wear foam plugs plus the best muffs I can buy to reduce noise level. I carry foam plugs in jackets, four wheeler, snowmobile and SUV in case it is necessary to finish off a deer hit by car (twice) or just plinking in the woods. Although I often carry .44sp, .38sp, 9mm or .22mag, I am more inclined to carry one of my .22's just in case it is necessary for protection. Equiped with lasers, these little guns at close range are very accurate and would be lethal for the BG. I never mow the lawn, use my chain saw, weedeater or snowblower without ear protection. Can't afford any more hearing loss but if necessary in self-protection mode, would use whatever handgun I was carring without concern over the noise. Take it from us oldtimers, when possible, always use the best hearing protection you can.