I used to play in bands and go to concerts without earplugs too, and one of my favorite pastimes is listening to music on loud volumes. Yet I've never developed tinnitus.

I guess I'm just lucky, or my hearing is just so sensitive that what I consider "loud" is actually fairly quiet. I know that I've had problems actually hearing sounds in band practice without using earplugs - I'd just hear a bunch of noise, and often lose the beat because of the inability to hear other musicians clearly.

30+ years of midwest raves did me in. One sound system had 1MW bass bins - have been to some with ~40ft x ~15ft of bass bins. Only one ruptured ear drum in all of that time (Regis - didn't even seem that loud) - that's the ear that is the worst. Doesn't bother me, other than anxiety about potential neurological effects.