I do a lot of shooting. With pistols and rifles, muffs are OK, but for shotgun sports they interfere with gun mount. So I used disposable plugs for a long time. Finally they started to hurt because to get any kind of protection I had to screw them halfway into my brain.
I got some custom plugs professionally made a month ago. They block out just about everything and I can wear them for 6 hours without any discomfort. I went for maximum attenuation, but they also make them with filters or electronics to allow hearing speech, but still having protection.
I guarantee you’ll love them.
At the last family reunion, down at the range, both an uncle, and my brother asked why I bother with hearing protection.
I explained that it was good practice, a good example for the young people, and I had a QSO later that night using CW. I could use a computer for CW, but I prefer to hear it for myself.
I'm not interested in making anyone else pay for that personal preference.
My alleged disability, even in the service of my country, doesn't obligate other people.
/johnny
I have a set of electronic ear muffs but I don’t like them for the reasons you give. I have seen the in-ear attenuators and enhancers. I am eager to try a set.