I've been trying year after year to find something that actually works to minimize hearing damage from hunting. I have yet to find anything to work. I started off with one ear plug, for the support side ear. The strong side, at least with rifles and shotguns is protected by your arm. This method kind of works. I tried all kinds of those baffle ear plugs. They do work, but you also can't tell which direction a sound is coming from. I've tried a number of ear plugs that have a plastic strap that you wear around your neck. All of them are too tight and uncomfortable, although that can be fixed with heat. The real problem is reaching up to put them in with an animal in front of you. It's not a good system. Last year I tried a decent set of electric ear muffs, walker brand, about $70. They plain suck. I can wear them comfortable for a long time, but they cause all kinds of disorientation. Sounds from the wrong side, and the worst is a deer 20 yards away sounds exactly the same distance as the guy blowing leaves 2 miles away. No sense of distance at all.
Every year I try something new, and every year I end up throwing them to the side. Another winner I forgot about was a set of what were a hybrid ear plugs/muffs/baffles. They were big tubes with hollow ear plugs on them. Supposed to be able to pick up vibrations to hear. Everything sounds like a swarm of bees through them.
Just today I was thinking of a new idea. Basically for hunting hearing protection would have to be either on all the time, or be able to be put in with little motion/hands free. I was thinking of trying some ear muffs, the winter kind you got as a kid, and tying a rope to them. You wear them above your ears, and keep the rope within hands reach. When ready to shoot, pull the rope to pull the muffs over. Obviously not as good of protection as real plugs or muffs, but better than nothing. This would probably only work for stand hunting too.
Lots of guys say "I don't hear the shot at an animal" as if that's some kind of excuse. I guess I don't either, but I sure hear the ringing for days after. It doesn't take a genius to know that isn't good for your hearing. I'm still young enough to do good, so I'd like to find something that works.