Have you ever tried to shout or listen on a noisy airfield or at a wing tip when wearing ear defenders as required to??
If this all took place in the hangar area, i.e. not on the live tarmac, then would you be wearing ear protectors for ground manoeuvring by tug? Loudest noise likely to be an APU unless someone is doing engine runs.
Definitely should have been a wing walker for the A380 and a wing guard for the B744 in my book.