I have hearing loss in my left ear due to gunfire, and working around industrial air compressors and steam turbine driven equipement in my younger days.
Years ago my audiologist suggested that I purchase a Walkers Game Ear and wear it, not for the amplification and hearing aid function, but to allow me to still hear while providing ear protection from gunshots.
The unit functions fine with respect to instant clamping of gunshots. However, it can at times make it difficult to locate the source of some sounds in the woods if you do not get the volume balance just right. On windy days it really hinders sound location, but still provides hearing protectioin.
It is a compromise solution that protects hearing, but can create some problems with sound source location. Anyway, it beats no protection at all and I'm not using it for sound amplification capability.