Angus MacCaull Reported On How Ear Plugs Became Cool

For The Walrus, Angus MacCaull reported on how earplugs have become a trend amongst Swifties (Taylor Swift fans) and people who live in cities. He told Study Hall,  “ I started wearing earplugs in the ’90s after I got tinnitus as a promising young clarinetist. I had to give up music and for many years I felt self-conscious about using hearing protection in loud environments: there was a stigma. After the pandemic I noticed the stigma changing.” 

He added, “I set out to learn how it happened, interviewing sources ranging from Toronto ravers to former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg to one of the co-authors of the World Health Organization’s Global Standard for Safe Listening Venues and Events. It meant a lot to me to be able to report this story and share some of my own personal experience.” 

MacCaull’s writing has appeared in Newsweek, Exclaim!, and other outlets.