Phenomenal story Old Man.
I’d agree that the earwax build-up until the unfortunate discharge eruption probably did save your hearing. You lucky dirty young bugger lol
With my trusty old otoscope, I inspected the ear canals and ear drums of many many people and found some pretty awful situations but I am sure glad you never came to see me with that lovely double infection.
Yet 70% and 75% hearing is still pretty damn good, especially after your muso days.
By comparison, I performed in acoustic bands for years, but now, aged late 60s, I am getting by with less than 5% in one the ear only. The sudden loss stopped me playing my guitar for several years now because I can’t even hear any live or recorded music at all anymore, which accounts for me being a cranky old cock. That and the feathers falling out.