We've thought about that as an intimidation tool.  Some guy is hassling you on the street and you start putting your ear plugs in.  The guy says, 'What are you doing?'  You say, 'It looks like I'm going to be doing some shooting here pretty soon and I don't want to hurt my ears.'

Greg Hamilton
Self Defense Instructor
Nov. 19, 1995
When discussing self-defense equipment to carry and a student asked about earplugs.