While you may not notice the affect, it is still there. The physical damage done to your ears does not change just because you have shot at something other than a terget. I didn't think it mattered either until my wife mentioned an increase in the number of times I would ask her to repeat a statement after I had shot while hunting. After years of shooting without hearing protection, something that has only been stressed relatively recently, my hearing is diminished and I have a constant ringing in both ears (Tinitis) don't mess with your hearing, it is easy and inexpensive to stop doing damage.