[jcommin]

I have hereditary hearing loss. My dad's mother was deaf, my dad had severe hearing loss and I slight hearing loss but it's got worse as I have aged. I have had tinnitus from teenager, my ears ring constantly so quiet is very noisy for me.
My oldest had chronic ear infections as a kid - the ENT said his ear canal and sinus passages look like mine. Better medical treatment - he doesn't have the problems I had.

You make adjustments - I wear hearing protection at work on the manufacturing floor, concerts, using leaf blowers, lawn mowers and snow blowers.