I started shooting in the 1950s with a .22lr rifle. An outdoor area, not a formal range, but reasonably safe. The muzzle report was not great. I was eight or nine and hearing protection was not afforded. Didn't bother me enough to gripe. Next serious shooting was in late 1960s on outdoor range with a .45 ACP pistol. It was loud. Loud enough to bother me.
Someone mentioned reading a magazine article about hearing loss and loud noise. I bought a set of cheap 'muffs' that did wonders for my comfort and shooting. About that time I met a couple guys shooting a M1903 Springfield of some type. They were not wearing hearing protection. They said the noise didn't bother them. They also, I noted, only replied when looking straight at the speaker and their most used word was "Huh?"
Marine Corps Basic Training in 1969. No hearing protection. On qual day, the Drill Instructors took pity and gave us some loose cotton to stuff in our ears. About a year and a half later, I rotated to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (now gone) between San Diego and Los Angeles, California. (North of Camp Pendleton.) With all the jet engines there, the administration was rabid about hearing protection. Not only did I get to use (and be issued) hearing protection (the external, over the head type) but I had my hearing checked regularly.
Border Patrol Academy in 1978, range issued hearing protection. U. S. Customs Academy in 1988, hearing protection issued at range.
Hearing protection by my own choice since the late 1960s.