I own two pair of the Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sports, and found the same as you. If you dont have foam plugs, you are going to be hurting!
First time I had my wife at Freestate, we didnt use the foam as well. She lasted all of 30 seconds before she left because of the pain in her ears...
Another Stevens Forest resident.
Sure we can flee the area... and go where? Seems like no place in Maryland is really completely safe any more.
Florida is looking better and better.