“Despite my proper use of hearing protection, I usually experience some temporary hearing changes after a couple of hours at the range. “
Seriously, this does not add up. You either are using cheap crap or your are wearing it wrong. Get better hearing protection or double up. Or both. In-ear foam or good muffs over top and you should not be having a problem. In-ear foam AND good muffs and you can’t possibly be getting hearing damage. Physics will not allow it.
“Seriously, this does not add up.”
As I posted, some people are more susceptible to the damage. And doing the math: 165db - 34db (best case as far as I know) eguals above the damage decibels.
I think the original post is implying that something a little like hydrostatic shock (from air compression waves only, of course) is capable of causing hearing loss. I don’t know that to be false.