Hearing protection with mufflers?

[leadman1]

The OSHA standard for an 8 hours exposure is IIRC 80 decibels. Hearing damage is cumulative. At one time I worked on heavy trucks and equipment and since I started a year before OSHA was formed there was no hearing protection. I am now almost deaf in my right ear and have greatly diminished hearing in my right ear. Constant ringing and buzzing. I have hearing aids but they are a cumbersome way to improve my hearing but really suck in a place if there are more than a couple people talking or other background noise.
Hearing damage can also occur with the use of just plugs. The sounds is transmitted by the bone behind the ear. I wear plugs and muffs when shooting and electronic earmuffs when hunting.
Just a couple months ago I had a conversation with an audiologist when I was being fitted for new hearing aids. Her recommendation was to use hearing protection even when using suppressed guns. This was at the VA hospital so I would think she has some experience with damage caused by firearms.

 

[brian10x]

I spent my yout around hot rods and loud equipment. I'm lucky to have my hearing, though I get intermittent tinnitis at random times.
I only go without ear protection when I use my sound moderators/silencers/suppressors/mufflers on my 22lrs out in the desert. It sure makes shooting pleasant.

Yes, silencers are evil and I should go to prison for the rest of my life. I watch all those videos and I'm becoming a believer. Guns are evil, and things attached to guns to make them easier to shoot, or quieter, are the ultimate evil. I also paint my guns pretty colors, so that just adds another evil dimension to the whole mess.