LOL! I can’t even hear a phone ringing. I have to see it light up! It’s in the frequency range blocked by the tinnitis. We threatened our drummer with the “cage,” and he went electronic. Really lowered the stage volume. I was able to use my 56 Pro Amp for Tele, and the Vibroverb for steel. I never had a better sound! But it was too late for my hearing.
We couldn’t convince our drummer to go the “E” route. He played real hard and everybody had to crank it up to be heard over him. With all the inovations today, the “E” drums probably feel like the “real” drums of old. And it really makes it super easy to do the mixing board too when they convert. No more vicious loops from the drum mikes.
I used plugs - pretty much from the git-go. I still have some partial range loss but overall I’m still functional. I pity my band-mates who mocked me & my earplugs....what?!!