Eye and Ear Protection

My ears have had a "ringing" noise for nearly 40 years, mostly
from firing a machinegun without hearing protection.
It's "tinnitus", and it's too common in combat military, active and veteran.

The 7.62x51 ammo was loud, but even a 22 magnum handgun can cause this.
One girl at cc range qualification only had earplugs, and she had to walk out (wisely).

There are "ear valves" that are cheap insurance for those who need to hear
well until they fire a weapon. .If nothing is used for 10 or 20 shots, then
temporary partial deafness can interfere with any urgent situation underway.

At least ear plugs should be used in practice, and only if muffs are not available.
Even some muffs aren't good enough. .If you are firing 357, 40, 45, 9x19, or
similar, you might want to wear muffs over ear valves, or over ear plugs.
And if shooters next to you have loud guns, you will want both muffs and plugs.
(trust me on that; when your hair and shirt shake, ears beware)

Eye protection is mainly for an exploding gun; a result of barrel obstruction,
improper ammo, or gun defects .... but also for flying cases, sparks, and oil.
Shooting an ar15/m16 lefty often results in oil spray to the eyes, but it
happens even with semi pistols that have too much oil)
.