I want to go out to loud clubs/bars but refuse to damage my hearing and be deaf when I'm older.

Are earplugs a game killer? How can I play them off well? What potential shit tests might I get about them and what can I respond with?

UPDATE: I was talking to my friend at one of the loud venues and asked him what he thought about this issue. He pulled back his long hair and revealed hidden earplugs. This convinced me to put in my big obvious orange ones. None of the girls I approached at this venue mentioned them.

Later I took them out because we were going back in a club and a girl saw the orange and asked me if I was popping pills. I showed her the earplugs and then when she started giving me minor shit my friend pulled the "i'm a musician" card. This was a pretty good answer but still feels defensive rather than alpha.

I will keep wearing them specifically to find out how/if anyone will call me out on it. Then we can figure out how to reply.