My audiologist can’t tell me if better hearing protection will help me. Too much of the science of hearing loss depends on the individual. In a single, self-defense use of a firearm without hearing protection, for instance, some will experience immediate, permanent loss and some will not. There is a big difference between a .38 special and a 12-gauge shotgun. I would like to believe that there is a combination of the fitted, silicone plugs with the muffs that will protect me. My audiologist said I could try some things and get tested again in a year. Might be worth a try.
Better hearing protection will always help. Reducing the noise reduces noise caused damage. When you retest in a year do it with a different audiologist, this guy seems weird. I did a hearing test last year, he gave me the results, bit more high frequency loss in the left than the right, which is where my tinnitus is so no surprise there. I asked “for a 47 year old who loves heavy metal and goes to concerts how is it”, his answer was “better than I’d expect”. You need a straight dope guy, not a “and here’s my line of hearing aids” guy.