Anybody that denies that brakes increase hearing damage is probably going to pay the price later. Nuff said....
I suspect that most of us here on LRH have at least some hearing damage from muzzle blast. I know that I have a lot of it and at my range when people show up with a rifle with a brake other people either complain or find somewhere else to shoot.
Here is one of many resources that back up what I am saying.
"Firearms and Hearing Loss. Hearing Doctors provides FREE consultation : (703) 942-8110 . Find us in McLean, VA; Arlington, VA; Sterling, VA; Leesburg, VA; Rockville, MD; Washington, DC; Washington Metro Area "
hearingaiddoctors.com
Tinnitus is no joke and even my hearing aids offer only moderate help in understanding what others say, especially the mumblers.