If diminished hearing or a sense of fullness in the ears is experienced after noise exposure, the level of that noise is damaging. There are several federal guidelines for noise exposure. 5 dB less than the OSHA standard. Ear plugs and ear muffs are about equally effective. Muffs cost more but can be used in patients with ear canal disease.
Muffs are also hot in warm weather.
For hunting, electronic plugs and muffs can be obtained which make surrounding noise louder so game can be heard, but when firing a gun they muffle the loud noise. Many people will not wear ear plugs in a noisy environment because they think it will make it more difficult to hear others talking. Actually the reverse is true. Ear plugs reduce noise most efficiently in the low frequencies, below the speech range. This will increase the signal to noise ratio of the speech and makes it more easily heard.