There are ear plugs that have baffles in them that lets you hear normal noise, but is activated by loud impulse noises like gun shots. They run about $10 a pair. I personally find all plugs to be uncomfortable, and always seem to be losing them. So instead I wad a piece of paper towel or toilet paper wet it with saliva.It is more comfortable than plugs, cheap, always handy and does a good job of reducing the noise. I'm out in the fieldseveral days a week training dogs using 209 primer pistols and find the paper plugs to be convenient to use and offer good protection. I use them as well for all my hunting including waterfowl and big game.