My former dept. provides the ear muff type. Well, once a year we have to go to the PPC range, Shotgun, trap and Hogans Alley all on the same day for qualification. Even tho I wore the protection as required, I noticed after a few years of this, I would get "tunnel" hearing for 3 days, then my ears would pop and return to normal. When I went to the regular qualifying range every quarter, it would happen for 1 day. I began wearing swimmers in the canal plugs beneath the county protection, but the damage was done.
Years later, when my right ear would pop and hurt for no apparent reason, I went to the ent. A test showed I had the hearing of a 65yr old (I was 51). I now have in the ear canal hearing aids (4% loss of hearing), thankfully at county worker's comp expense (4K). Like was said, once you lose it, you don't get it back.
Use whatever it takes and spend what you are able to, but get something good.
