also growing up in the metal/punk scene, wearing ear plugs was a definitely no-no back then. You were not 'Trve Cvlt" if you didn't leave the show with whiplash, bruises from the pit, and complete deafness...also played (indoors) in marching band, and have been a band director for 30+ years, and never wore hearing protection until about 10 years ago (at 40)
now... I can not wear ear plugs. Putting things in my ears makes me throw up, so back then, I got a pair of pistol range headphones that worked awesome, but were big and bulky. The guitarist in my current metal band hates it, but it is what I have to do in practice. I also use some of the Vic Firth Iso headphones as well at school.
I have managed to be able to tolerate the Vic Firth Etymotic ear plugs for gigs, but they are in and out as quick as possible to prevent the nausea...
for about 15 years, i have had a nice, constant Eb ring in my ears. I joke that my life is in the key of Cminor all the time...