Hearing protection should be used any time you are participating in a high-noise recreational activity or job. Some of these include: hunting, music industry, motor sports, construction, etc. Noise-induced hearing loss can occur from exposure to noise over time, as well as exposure to one intensely loud, brief event. The louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause damage. If you experience ringing in your ears or temporary hearing loss in your ears after a high noise event, the environment was too loud and could cause damage.