Trent's right about filtering out the noises you can't hear around.
Years ago, when I was playing in bands a lot more regularly, I had a custom set of high definition ear plugs made for me. They were formed to my ear, and they have a little insert that simply diminishes the volume by about 20 db. Clarity is excellent, and you can better identify problems in a noisy environment - like sharing a stage with our lead guitarist or piloting a tin can down the salt. With the helmet on, it knocks another 5 db or so out of the equation when you're in a car.
They weren't cheap - about $300.00 - but I've been in the sound business for a lot of years, and unfortunately, many of my contemporaries who have done it as long as I have simply don't hear so well anymore.
As long as hearing jokes have been broached here -
How do you know when the band's sound man is at your door?
The door bell feeds back.
