Muzzle shroud

[citation needed] Even wearing double hearing protection (earplugs and muffs), some shooters have experienced hearing loss from high volume or long term shooting,[5] probably due to the shockwaves from muzzle blasts propagating though the sinuses and facial bone structures.

[citation needed] The noise levels experienced are often increased when firing indoor[6] or in other confined spaces.

Sound suppressors are increasingly commonly used by shooters to reduce the concussion and thereby prevent hearing loss, but are not always suitable for either legal or technical reasons.

By encircling the muzzle, the shroud funnels and focuses the sound waves along the projectile flight axis, away from the shooter.

An early example of muzzle device that predates this is the Colt Model 608 carbine intended for downed aircrew in hostile territory using a 3.5-inch (89 mm) long flash hider that dampened sound in order to draw less attention from enemy fire to an extent.

The same principle that lessens felt recoil also acts to enhance the sound levels reaching the shooter.

These small leaves, however, do not fully enclose the muzzle diameter, and so block only the worst blast path, while allowing the majority of escaping gases to circumvent the shield by traveling around them, still reaching the shooter's ears, potentially causing hearing damage[citation needed].