I'd have to day after marching next to him and going to school with him at MSU, I think his ears are just fine. I also think he's fair and calls things they way they are on the night he sees them. I did not see this particular performance, so I can't comment on it, but as far as J.J. Pipitone needing new ears?
If he finds some new ones, somebody oughtta grab the used model 'cause they're better than most.