Discussion on drumming with a jazz drummer

I went to visit the conservatory of Utrecht and there I listened to concerts organised and I met the Jazz/Pop drum teacher of the school. Me and him came across a little misunderstanding about how one is supposed to play the drums. My point was: One should use earplugs and play 100% and his point: one shouldn't earplugs and play softly. I totally disagree, I think that the drums were created to be a loud instrument. I think the point of the teacher comes from him being more of a jazz drummer and in jazz music the drums seem to be like a backup instrument and one only “touches” the drumset and not hit it. But in rock and pop music and in many other styles the drums is like the skeleton of the whole music and there are styles in general that are played more loudly. Of course it's a talent to be able to play softly but with same energy as when played loud, but one needs to play also loudly!