I used to think is was not important to use hearing protection when hunting either, but as I sit here in the quiet of my home enjoying TFL, I have the high pitched squealing in both of my ears to remind me that even though each single event of gunfire was not noticed during the rush of the hunt, the damage was done nevertheless. It is very annoying, and chronic, as well as permanent. It is the beginning of going deaf. You dont want to experience it. Dr. says not caused by anything other than years of exposure to gunfire. Please find some sort of hearing protection to use when firing high intensity rifle cartridges. As one of the staff already said, they are very loud, and can cause permanent hearing loss with just one shot.