I used to play in bands and go to a lot of concerts without earplugs (mistakes of youth). I’ve had tinnitus for almost 20 years, and I am so used to it now that it’s a non issue. That said, it drove me crazy in the beginning.
I used to play in bands and go to concerts without earplugs too, and one of my favorite pastimes is listening to music on loud volumes. Yet I've never developed tinnitus.
I guess I'm just lucky, or my hearing is just so sensitive that what I consider "loud" is actually fairly quiet. I know that I've had problems actually hearing sounds in band practice without using earplugs - I'd just hear a bunch of noise, and often lose the beat because of the inability to hear other musicians clearly.
30+ years of midwest raves did me in. One sound system had 1MW bass bins - have been to some with ~40ft x ~15ft of bass bins. Only one ruptured ear drum in all of that time (Regis - didn't even seem that loud) - that's the ear that is the worst. Doesn't bother me, other than anxiety about potential neurological effects.
Wait 30+ years of raves? In my mind’s eye you’re now a mulleted 45 yo Java dev at MedLab International creeping out the twenty something hotties, offering them glow sticks and Molly and telling them how you went to see Chemical Brothers before it was hip.
