[LouAvul]

I'm assuming because on a gun forum, somebody else was asking a related question. One of the mods is also a sound/safety engineer. He said, in reference to a particular brand of hearing protection (which offers 25 dB in noise reduction)

A 25dB NRR doesn't actually mean you subtract that from the outside noise. The recommendation is that you cut 5dB off of the NRR and apply that.

IOW, 165db - (25dB-5dB)=> 145dB exposure per shot.

That detail in the noise exposure guidelines is often missed.

[drbuzzard]

OK, then I guess he was just saying the noise ratings are overstated. Has nothing to do with the logarithmic system.

But as I said, I just use the foam earplugs I get at Lowes in bulk when shooting and it seems quite adequate.