Seriously, I still hang out with all of my old rock band mates and we all went to the earplugs back in the eighties...and our hearing is still compromised because of exposure to high volume levels...and the level on the stage was never quite as loud as it was in the audience.

It is sort of "The Air You Breathe Can Kill You!" sort of sensationalist take on things but there is a lot to be said for hearing protection.

Best

AA