The trouble is that some people like the sound of distortion, like they used to get from Vacuum tube (valve) amplifiers in the old days. If the system doesn't produce distortion, they just turn it up more until it does. Even if they have kilowatts of power making us all deaf.

I heard a song about it at the Old Songs Festival a few years ago. It went something like

Mister soundman,
Turn me up loud---
I want to be heard
Over the crowd---

It also happens at dances and even in church these days.

Needless to say I am a great consumer of earplugs, but I hate having to
choose between conversation and safety.

MD