I read a study from the Medical Society for Ear Docs. Can't remember the name and don't have a copy. the one thing that stuck in my mind was the Decibel level of a braked rifle vs an unbraked rifle.

Along the lines of 160 for a braked and 110 or so for an unbraked. The best ear muffs protect 30 decibels so even with ear muffs a braked rifle was louder than an unbraked mode. Completely blocking the sound from a persons ears still let in over 100 decibels through the nose and mouth, skin etc.

Standing close to a jet engine is only 120 decibels.

I'd say get new friends or get friends that can shoot the rifles they own without needing to have a muzzle brake on it.