Ummm not to rain on this threads parade but what about Hearing protection? They don't always drown out all noise. Some plugs are specifically made to allow low volume things like talking in while some thing like a gun going off would be suppressed.
I had allways thought that hearing protection was a "all or nothing" type of thing until I was handed a pair of those ones I told you about.
It should say on the box whether they suppress every thing or allow selective hearing.
I am 25 and I am starting to use these myself. To much hearing loss this early in the game, and it is not one of those injuries that will heal to 100% with time. All hunters should seek out this hearing protection no matter what age I think.