Why is it important to wear hearing protection while shooting?

While other options such as improving aim or avoiding legal issues may seem like valid reasons to wear hearing protection while shooting, the main reason is to prevent hearing damage. Shooting a firearm produces extremely loud noises, which can cause permanent damage to your ears. Without proper hearing protection, you could risk losing your hearing or developing other hearing-related issues. Additionally, wearing hearing protection can also help improve communication with other hunters by reducing the loud noise distractions.