We have all had the experience of trying to communicate with someone in the middle of a loud show. In order to be heard, a person leans in close to our ears and shouts. OMG this hurts! (Probably dangerous). And it might take several tries to understand what the person is trying to say. So, I was at this loud show and a woman wanted to tell me something. As I leaned my ear toward her she did something very bold. She reached her hand to the side of my face and pressed the tragus (outer ear flap . . . I'm not that smart, I looked it up) closed with her finger and shouted right up against my ear. I heard every word. It didn't hurt. And I was blown away by how effective it was.
What I remember originally reading was, I believe, from an an audiologist reference. I sure wish I could find that and stop thinking I imagined it!
Thanks again.
I usually do something similar - shout just behind their ear. Works every time.
FWIW, I find my ears also get quite distort-y at high SPLs, and will often sit in the car with earplugs in and the radio on before what I know will be a loud show.
Listening to the radio with earplugs allows my hearing to re-calibrate to what sounds good (or at least balanced) with earplugs in, and I can mix pretty well during the show.
Chris