Just my 2 cents (if they're worth that much)..

I don't really like game ears but I know a lot of folks use them and like them.

As far as actual hearing "protection", I'v never found that to be necessary, and I believe it would be more of a handicap for hearing the little sounds of game moving in your area (like a twig snapping when stepped on by an elk 150 yards away - I've heard it before. Or consider being able to hear that mountain lion stalking you - just in time to turn and see it lunge at you.