Much of my hearing is gone due to 40+ years in a loud factory. Even a good set of muffs or plugs would not silence the drop hammers in the next room or the belt grinders right next to me.
For shooting, I use both plugs and muffs. The plugs are rated at 28db and the muffs are rated 27db.
You would think I wouldn't be able to hear much with all that, but it doesn't kill all the blast.
Indoors is the worst. I fired a couple of full magnum loads from my 6" 686 a few days ago and unloaded the rest of the cylinder without firing them.
38 special and 45acp are not bad.
Outdoors, the rifles with the muzzle brakes on the next table are still very loud even with the double protection. I can't imagine trying to shoot near one without the double protection.
What do you use and recommend for hearing protection?