The effect of exposure to loud music on your ability to hear

[Josiah]

a db meter is a pretty cool thing to have around, it's interesting to see how loud you are playing and/or rehearsals, various drums, etc i bet they have an app for them now on smart phones

for instance most my snares sit between 85-95 db on the rimshots, the vented snares will tag 105. that's hitting pretty normal for a "rock" setting.

[Rhythmatist]

I've had tinnitus my entire life (I "discovered" drums at the age of 2). For about the last 15-20 years I've been using an in-ear system for all but extremely quiet gigs...and even on some of those occasions I'll wear plugs. I've been using the Shure SE 425's since they came out...the dual hi-def micro-drivers are pretty sweet...with the black foam sleeves I have enough isolation that I can keep the level down and still get the pop and punch I like. About 70% of the time I just use a kick mic and 2 overheads sent to the house with a vocal mic feed from the main and I monitor through the aux send. I hear everything pretty well and have a lot of control. On larger stages I mic the whole kit and bring a whole band mix feed back to my mixer...I get everything and it sounds great. I'm still trying to get the guys in the band to think about going with in-ears but they feel it's too much of an expense. So, they set up wedges, wear plugs and crank the levels way too high...

The years between 5 and my late 30's I probably wore hearing protection a half dozen times total...thus, the hearing loss and increased tinnitus over the years. No matter where you are in your musical career I strongly suggest getting even a modest in-ear system.