Sound suppressors are mechanical devices attached to the barrel of a firearm designed to reduce harmful impulse noise of firearms at its source. CDC research has shown that “The only potentially effective noise control method to reduce [shooters’] noise exposure from gunfire is through the use of noise suppressors that can be attached to the end of the gun barrel.” Suppressors reduce muzzle blast noise by up to 30 dB. Their benefit is additive when used with ear-level hearing protection devices such as circumaural muffs or ear plugs. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endorses the use of firearm suppressors as an effective method of reducing the risk of hearing loss, especially when used in conjunction with conventional hearing protective measures.
— American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery position statement
suppressors are not ‘hearing protective’ nor is this medical entity saying they are. They are saying they are a tool to help protect hearing because they will have a certain amount of reduction. They tell you this with “to reduce [shooters’] noise exposure”.
For example: “Suppressors reduce muzzle blast noise by up to 30 dB. ” — a Glock 17 9mm un’supressed is ~167 dB….167 – 30 = 137 dB supressed (if supression is 30 dB). The pain threshold level starts at 140 dB for about 50% of the population and about ~130 dB (depending on age) for about the rest of the population. But because you do not feel pain does not mean hearing damage is not happening because immediate permanent damage to some degree (even if not noticed until later in life) starts about about ~70db in the majority of the population with steady state noise, and can happen at a lower level at ~40 – ~70 dB with repeated impulse noise exposure over time.
suppressors are not ‘hearing protective’, they are ‘protective help’ by reducing the amount of sound level – you should also wear other hearing protection when using suppressors and they indicate that with “Their benefit is additive when used with ear-level hearing protection devices such as circumaural muffs or ear plugs.”
Hearing aids are simply “aids” and not a cure. Gun suppressors do just that, they suppress the sound not eliminate the sound. I wear hearing ‘aids’ and at the range they are removed and ear protection is added even tho without the aids I hear very little because hearing deficiency is one thing and total deaf is another. Had I had and used better hearing protection when in the Air Force, I might not have the hearing loss I have today.