Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

[keiththebassist]

A very important thread. I have some custom made plugs from Westone. They weren't cheap, but I consider my hearing to be pretty much priceless. They DO take a bit of getting used to even though they attenuate evenly.

I play in a rather loud rock/metal band and our volume at shows can be quite loud. I use them every time and I never have any ringing at all in my ears at the end of the night. As far as thinking they're not cool, neither is having to say "What!?" all the time. Mine are clear anyway, hardly noticeable unless you look close.

[Pep]

I'm in this "boat" as well. I played at high volumes on and off for the past 45 years. I also have tinnitis, but my situation is a bit different.
I'm also a vocalist and am currently with an 8 pc rock band with 3 horns. I've never had a problem with pitch and have always been right on . . . . . . until the past year.
It seems that my left ear has been damaged to the point that I hear the trumpet "flat". Since the trumpet is usually heard above everything else that where my voice tends to go and it's not only been horrible, but embarassing.

When I started playing, groups didn't use sound reinforcement. Everything came from the stage with the exception of the vocals. Marshall stacks, Fender Super & Twin Reverbs with JBL's that had highs so piercing it would slice your head off.

My current group is working on a solution to all the volume problems and my pitch problems. We're going to a complete wireless earbud system with no monitors and no backline. I'm having molds made to completely block everything exccept what I want in my mix.
My mix will have just vocals and the rhythm rhythm section.
If that doesn't work they'll need to find someone to replace me and I'll have to work with the traditional 4 - 5 piece group without horns.

Don't end up being sorry like the rest of us. Heed the warnings. Unlike days past, there's vast selection of hearing protection and earbud systems that will help eleviate future problems. Please use them!

Originally Posted by rcrimm

Every musician should heed Jason's advice. As musicians, our hearing is one of our most important tools. Once it's gone, it's gone.


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JasonOldsted:

How did it come about? Well I was in a heavy metal band that rehearsed at full volume and played at full volume, so hours and hours of aural assalt added up unrelentingly and insidiously. I'm talking about two Marshall stacks at full tilt and my bass stack at full tilt, plus the drums being pounded at max to compete with all our sonic blasting.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have also damaged my hearing, from years of playing without ear plugs. I am lucky that my case of tinnitus is very mild, along with a huge dip in my hearing at about 3k.
Obviously, Jason's case was extreme. His band was so loud that he damaged his hearing even though he used ear plugs. The point here is that you should use ear plugs, but they may not save you.

The best advice for any musician is TURN IT DOWN!!! Your band will sound better, your audience will appreciate it, your sound man will appreciate it, and you won't have to live the rest of your life with a high pitched scream inside your head.



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RAC

[Royal]

Hi there,

I own a pair of ER-20. I use to go to night clubs and they help a lot. If I don't wear them, the next day I suffer tinnitus and temporary blocked ear, for a week long. This ocurrs specially when I go to small clubs, with no windows or big space where the air flows.

I'm looking if there are more brands offering this kind of product, not ER-20, but a similar one. Maybe with 25 db protection.
ER-20 are very cheap, I was wondering if this protection is cheap, what about expensive plugs. More and best protection?

Thank you!

[Morkolo]

I use ear plugs in loud playing situations and have found it's saved my ears over time. Even short term like being the only guy coming out of a jam room that doesn't need to yell to hear his own voice.

[Tunaman]

Hearos if its not too loud, Foam block everything if the guitarist is being an ass, but always something