When I started my sons out shooting the first three things they learned was gun safety, wear shooting glasses and always wear hearing protection. If they failed any of the three they just got to watch after a strong lecture. Message got through to all of them. Even in the duck blind they will put their ear plugs in before loading their guns.
Hearing loss is cumulative and not reversible in most cases. Destroy the hair cells in the ear inner ear canal and they do not repair very well. Loose 1% per year and by the time you are 50 you hearing loss will be real, you will have major hearing loss long before age 60. Worse you loose entire bands of hearing. All the high notes or a band of middle tones which make hearing speech difficult.
Ever see a group of old Trap or Skeet shooters talking. You can monitor the conversation from 30' away because they are all half deaf and need to almost shout. No ear protection, for years takes its toll.
We use custom plugs and ear muffs. The boys have learned how to shoot with them and will do so as longs as they shoot with me.
