[bouvin]

Earplugs lower the volume, they do not cut the sound completely.

Good earplugs (I use Etymotics myself) can do this without affecting the sound quality, making concerts enjoyable and safe.

[jghn]

I grabbed a pair of Eymotics several years ago and never looked back. For a while I didn't believe they worked and kept having to take them out, only to realize that they were in fact dampening the volume even though the music sounded the same.