Call this a cautionary tale, I suppose! I did the touring thing for just under a decade in a deathcore band in the early 2000s, and it wasn't until really 4 or 5 years in that I was fitted for custom earplugs. Even then, I didn't wear them all the time. Many nights after gigs, my ears would be ringing loudly to the point where I could actually feel pressure.

Almost 20 years later (gross) I am a college instructor, and have some pretty massive hearing loss, particularly in the 4k range.... where some elements of human speech likes to hang out. I started telling my students this year that they have to ask questions very loudly because I cannot hear them.

I'm 38, and I am finding out in February if I will need hearing aids.

Whether you are attending or playing a metal concert, wear earplugs. Hearing damage is irreversible.

Edit - I just wanted to add a funny story. The last hearing test I had was 3 years ago, and that's where the evidence started showing up that I had damage. When I went in for the initial questions, this was the exchange.

"So, what do you for work?"

"I am a college instructor."

"Ah, so no prolonged exposure to noise."

"No."

"Any previous jobs that would cause hearing damage?"

"I was in a heavy metal band for 9 years."

"...oh."

It was a brilliant delivery of disappointment.