I find it painful to the point where it's probably harmful. I bring earplugs. Then, with the earplugs in, the dynamic range of the audio is sometimes so great

I find it painful to the point where it's probably harmful. I bring earplugs. Then, with the earplugs in, the dynamic range of the audio is sometimes so great that I have trouble with quieter conversational passages (low voices, whispering). I also agree with other comments, here. The people who treat the theater like their personal living room (phones, conversation, meals...). And these days, if you follow the news, you have to worry about bedbugs. The only time I find the movie theater worthwhile is for a social experience (viewing with others) that doesn't fit into someone's home. Maybe combined with a nice dinner out or snack afterwards or some other additional social component. Otherwise, the home viewing experience is better.