Freakin' brakes are obnoxious. I'll spend a little on some other recoil reduction system or something along those lines before I'll ever put a brake on a rifle, or at least that's the direction I'd take if I felt like I needed a rifle that was that punishing.
I am old and small. There is no way I am adding weight to a rifle that already weighs 8 lbs when I can and did add a couple ounces with a titanium brake. I hold the rifle like I would a BB gun and can see bullet impacts at close range without holding on to the rifle hard.
There are modern electronic hearing devices one can use to mitigate loud noises and enhance quiet sounds.
