So glad to see this issue of soundtracks covered -- I talk about this all the time! Recently I saw "Oppenheimer" in a theater and the sound overall was cranked so high I jumped out of my seat a couple of times when a book was dropped, a door closed. The FX were off the chart. The dialogue was annoyingly up and down. I have tinnitus but not any big hearing damage but it was so uncomfortable I vowed not to go to that theater again.

Here's a tip if you forget earplugs: cup your hands around your ears and it sharpens the sound overall, especially higher registers. I do this when hiking as well and can hear all the birdsong.

Cheers, Sean. Thanks!