NPB_EST.1979 wrote:This reminds me of old sound guys.
they suffered hearing loss over the years, so when they do your bands sound, they crank up the highs. 
Not entirely true. But can certainly be true. The most critical frequencies for speech are in the 1-5 kHz range, with 3.x being very critical. High end loss IS typical of industrialized countries (now about every one to a degree), and it doesn't always only have to do with volume dBA per se; it is even more important exposure lengths ( short term AND long term including life time) and transient levels encountered. Someone who mixes sound may have better hearing than a typical factory worker who moonlights as a musician (don't take that as a personal inference Nick, just as an example). Over 30 years of age it is expected to have some loss at the high end of the audible spectrum. Heck, just leaving your teens it starts a presumed decline. I still have extra sensory hearing at the low end and decent high end, but I have a DEAFINITE [sic] (pun intended) loss right around where the average male voice peaks. It's ironic but I cannot hear men almost adjacent to me, but a woman at the same distance and greater I have much less of a problem. Lucky me! It's a few hundred hertz difference on average, but it happens the US NAVY stole some for working around jets... 
A good "old sound guy" has several workarounds that can help them get it right, and not just for their self, without poking bloody holes in younger ears.
I believe Joe has stated a reason of hearing his tone better with the mids scooped out. I'd say he likely has better hearing than the average early 30's guy, despite his profession. If for no other reason than not over-using the average resonance frequencies of the human ear contained in the mids...... I'm all big ears to hearing Joe further on this, but just proffering my views and news. 
Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"He still doesn't charge for mistakes!
"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here. I mean, there are professionals in here.”
) loss!!! 