2. The ENTs who see new patients weekly being damaged by recreational noise but don't do anything proactive
They would be proactively reducing their customer base if they did that... I doubt it's going to come from them.
All it would take is for a band member to shout out at a gig to tell the audience to wear ear plugs. Ah well, thats why number 2 will keep happening.
Errr, rather than requiring everyone to have and wear ear plugs (which generally distort the sound anyway), how about just play at a lower volume? Same goal, fewer moving parts & requirements, and it affects everyone in one shot.
Unfortunately for gigs nowadays, decibel levels are a "badge of honor". The louder, the more "awesome"...