i have a nice pair of...heros i think there called...they came with my sick bag when i got them but they work really nice and i should be able to re-use them forever...

I figure why bother with ear plugs when I'm already deaf in one ear.

I dont think there is a such thing as "proper" ear protection. IMO it is a personal preference of either the instructor of the line, or the individual performer. It does make things easier to hear when you have ear protection in your ears, and therefore easier for most to clean up, but other than that, I actually prefer no ear protection because I hear things better and more clearly without it.

I just use the Walmart brand when I'm with a group of people. When I'm alone, I use the Earmuff-style shooting muffs. It sounds like A really loud practice pad when I play, but I still get the rebound and feel of playing on the drums.

You should pay even CLOSER attention to ear protection... if you're already lacking hearing in one ear, every one else has a 200% advantage over you aurally. Once you start losing the other ear, you're done.

Yup protection is a very good idea. I like to even use them when I play the bells, just because I hate the annoying ring they make sometimes. =)

On the contrary my friend, I won't not done. I've got bionic hearing. Which is about to be bilateral on June 19th. And there's no point to me using earplugs since the electrodes in my cochlea (the sensory organ of the ear) are artificial and can't be damaged by loud noises.

We can rebuild your ears, we have the technology. We can make them better than they were before. Better, stronger, faster...

Your last name isn't Austin by any chance?

Austin, Steve.
Although, I'm not quite worth 6 million dollars.... yet.

I just ordered some earplugs yesterday from EarplugsOnline . They look great as they are reusable and block 34DB of sound. I'll post a reply when they come in about how they are.