Exposing your ears to high sound levels can cause serious damage to your hearing known as Tinitus or "ringing in the ears". Sometimes the damage can be long term and even reveal itself years later.

 

If you play or listen to loud music, or even if you experience occasional extreme frequencies such as cymbals, the odd piercing keyboard or guitar solo, or driving bass and drums, ear protection is good insurance. These days ear protection comes in the form of ear plugs that seal the ear canal and decrease the level and frequencies but keep the sound clear. It makes no sense to gamble with your hearing.