I'm a big proponent of earplugs when going to metal shows. For every idiot that says "if it's too loud, you're too old," try listening to anything the day after going to a show and you'll realize, hmm, maybe I'm really fucking with my ears too bad. After years of abuse, it really catches up with you. Listening to music is basically my job, so I have to make sure my ears can handle that burden or else I can't do my job properly. The reason I mention this is because a man stabbed himself after weeks of ringing in his ears, caused by attending a Them Crooked Vultures show. Full details:

Father of two Robert McIndoe, 52, was unable to sleep for three months after going to a rock concert that left him with a permanent ringing in his ear. He was watching supergroup 'Them Crooked Vultures' at Brixton Academy.

In the coming months Mr McIndoe faced an uphill struggle to to get proper treatment for the condition, Southwark Coroner's Court heard.

His wife eventually received a letter of referral to a hospital ear, nose and throat specialist on November 1 last year – the day after he apparently killed himself.

Shirley McIndoe told the hearing that the day after the gig last July, her husband was "cross with himself" for not taking ear plugs.

She said: "When it first happened he wasn't too bothered about it because he thought it would subside, and the friend he had been with also had ringing in his ears that day.

"But it was a constant irritation.

"He didn't get a night of sleep after that until he went to hospital." Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Holy shit, how tragic is that? Granted this is an extreme case, but seriously people..when going to shows, especially if you're standing right up front, put on some headphones. Your future-self who is still able to hear will thank you. [ Telegraph via BrooklynVegan]