Is it reasonable to expect individuals to wear hearing protectors for extended periods?

The purpose of this work is to look at the expectations and actions that exist around the use of hearing protectors. Are our expectations for the performance of hearing protectors rational and is the way we expect them to be used reasonable? Perhaps we are expecting too much of hearing protectors and their ability to effectively reduce noise exposure. Better understanding of expectations and requirements along with improvements in technology and design offer the opportunity to markedly improve on the current situation.