Does anyone have any numbers how much noise they suppress? Everything I have seen still shows numbers over 85 decibels. Which means you would still need hearing protection when shooting or risk damaging your hearing.
85 decibels is an OSHA number for continuous noise exposure, like working in an assembly plant. It's actually a very low noise level; closing your car door is louder. Even going by OSHA numbers, "hearing safe" levels depend on duration and frequency of exposure. Suppressed .22 rifles and pistols for example, at around 115-125 decibels, are perfectly safe for your ears. If you heard this in person, you'd realize how quiet that actually is.
