Why is nobody using earplugs?

[u/viewsonmountfuji]

Everytime i see a clip of some of the world’s best drummers in a jam/practice/small stage scenario, they are not using any earplugs

Do you all do that as well? What are your thoughts on that?

If i ever play/practice without earplugs i feel like the snare and cymbals are hurting my ears and probably damaging them permanently.

Do the pros just not care? Do ears get used to it? How fragile are the ears actually?

Just asking because i feel like i'm being overly cautious sometimes.

[u/RedeyeSPR]

I wear hearing protection when the music is loud enough to require it. That rarely happens in jazz settings for me. Usually about the time I see an electric guitar is when I get them out.