SAVE THE EARS!!

• Protect your ears! I can't stress this enough. Most musicians take this for granted. Buy a good set of ear plugs and start using them, especially while you practice. For the longest time I never used earplugs or any kind of hearing protection. I'm now paying the price for that disregard.

I now have Tinnitus, which I know many, many musicians have. It's extremely annoying and it will never go away. It makes it very hard to fall asleep and having peace & quiet is next to impossible.

Musical instruments can generate considerable sound and thus can also cause hearing loss. 
 In addition, attending live concerts (where noise levels can exceed 120 dB) can damage hearing, as well as listening to loud music through headphones.
If you think you have grown used to a loud noise, it probably has damaged your ears, and there is currently no treatment – no medicine, no surgery, not even a hearing aid, that truly corrects your hearing once it is damaged by noise.
There are a number of strategies that can be used to reduce the change of noise injury from other instrumentalists. Musicians ear plugs are generally “flat” so that bass and treble notes are not relatively favored, thus distorting perception. Nevertheless, a “vented” ear plug can be used to tune the ear cavity to low frequencies, which are less damaging. Drummers should use musicians ear plugs, such as the ER-25. Guitarists and vocalists can use the less attenuating ER-15. Too much ear protection can result in overplaying and not enough protection can result in hearing loss.
Plexiglas baffles can be used to reduce the noise from other instruments. These are particularly relevant for drummer’s high-hat and cymbals. Drums can be a problem. Ear monitors are small in-the-ear devices that look like hearing aids that can be used to electronically protect hearing, while allowing the musicians to hear themselves. Acoustic monitors are stethoscope like devices that block sound from other in the group, but allow the instrumentalist to hear their own instrument.
Loudspeakers produce both high- and low-frequency sounds. High frequencies tend to emanate in almost a straight line, while low frequencies are present in nearly all directions. Thus, standing besides a high-frequency source may provide some protection. Humming just prior to, and through a loud noise such as a cymbal crash or rim shot may provide some protection. Small protective muscles in the ear contract naturally when we sing or hum, and thus humming may protect from other noises.
The price of hearing should not be a factor when it comes to choosing the right ear plugs. So choose wisley, not cheaply!! Spending the extra money will determine whether you can hear when your 70 or if you're using a hearing aid when your 40.
So, save the ears so you can hear your kids and spouse enjoy music for the rest of your days.