I work is a loud environment, and didn’t take it as seriously as I should’ve, and just wore regular earbuds because I wanted to be able to listen to music over the noise of the machinery. I don’t have it as bad as either of those cases you mentioned, but definitely noticed that I couldn’t hear as well by my mid 20s, and it takes very little background noise to prevent me from being able to following a conversation.

Now I am pretty good about wearing earplugs, and have bone conduction headphones that I can use with them, and the sound comes through clear even at low volume with the ear pro in. I would highly recommend them if that is part of anyones hangup around wearing ear pro.

I had an Alias 2, and it was the best phone I’ve ever had

No way in hell.