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I used to shoot competitively. We always wore ear protection. Even without it though, I would imagine there's a huge difference between an artillery shell and a .45 round.

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although I agree that there are worlds of difference between small arms and artillery, I would like to point out that ear protection.. protects your ears.

there is no good way to protect from concussive blasts aside from avoidance and shelter.

fwiw most DoD studies have found that concussive blasts that seem to be damaging to personnel start at around the AT4/Carl Gustaf range of large shoulder-fired almost-artillery -- understandably since they're large and mostly open-air combustion driven.[0]

[0]: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/05/01/...

A .45 gunshot feels like a sound, and with hearing protections at a few meters you hear it but cant feel it in the slightest. You feel it in your hand but not further. Artillery is more similar to how it feels standing next to gigantic speakers at a concert, even with hearing protections you feel it throughout your entire body, except sharper.

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