I have a couple of tack drivers and I will not change anything on them, why potentially screw up a good thing? That being said I have a .243 compact Ruger with a short barrel that shoots as accurate as my Weatherby .270 with a long barrel. I don't get the whole fascination with suppressors. I mean your gonna wear hearing protection with or without it anyway right?
Get some hands on use of a few quality suppressors and you will change your mind.
To answer your question, no, with a good suppressor you do not need hearing protection.
