That is because most people do not undergo regular hearing tests.I work in a refinery and we must undergo a hearing test every two years.Many people are surprised to find out that they have suffered hearing loss.On the other hand,the person that I spoke of in my earlier post suspected it immediately after his ears stopped ringing,and he was correct.I have owned a brake equipped rifle myself,and I did discover another fact in the short time that I owned it.The point of impact was not the same with the brake installed,so I still had to remove the brake to sight the rifle in.That being the case,I no longer own any brake equipped rifles.I shoot two 300 ultramags and don't finda brake necessary.