I guess I could give you my two cents seeing that I am an Audiologist. First off, a single gun shot can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Does it happen often?No. In fact rarely. When I do see it happen, it is usually during deer season when a guy fired a shot or two from a completely enclosed blind (buck box) or a blind with a solid roof like plywood.In this situation, the sound gets reflected right back to the shooter. I have never seen this happen with a turkey hunter in a blind, probably because the blind is usually cloth allowing the sound to pass through. I have also seen it from a duck hunter too who's friend shot right near his ear=permanent hi frequency hearing loss and tinnitus.That being said,I wear ear protection always when practicing, but never when turkey hunting. I like my ears open to hear whats going on around me. There are expensive custom devices (up to $2000) and behind the ear devices (100-$300) that would work, but I usually only recommend that for duck, grouse, pheasan,etc hunters where a lot of shooting is going on. The amplified muffs are nice too, but in my opinion, kind of cumbersome and bulky. There is a pair of custom made ear plugs that have a "sonic valve" in them that allows normal intensity sound to come through but will attenuate a sudden impact sound like a gunshot. Here is a link to some information on them. They are style 39. http://www.westone.com/earmold_styles.html#protect I have fit a couple patients with these, but unfortunately I haven't had a reason to see them back to ask them how they work. I'd estimate the cost of them at around $100.You can also buy this samesonic valve type plug in a"one size fits all" style too: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/sonicvalveii.html I see this second site also sells the custom style too, but leaves it to you to make the impression of your own ear. Don't do the mold yourself, see an audiologist. Overall there will be little if any savings in trying to make your own earmold.