Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs - Page 6

joel the bass player · #**101** 03-22-2003, 03:33 PM

Since the new band I am in started practicing, I have been wearing ear plugs at practice. We play loud and without them my ears would probably hurt. When I think about what could happen to my ears if I don't wear ear plugs, there is no choice. I want to be able to hear things when I get old!

jtbp

FretNoMore · #**102** 03-22-2003, 05:09 PM

I find I possibly become a bit "detached" when playing with earplugs, both while playing and between songs. I do hear the music better, but it's not as "physical" if you know what I mean. So in one respect it's better - without the boominess I hear the notes better, and I don't get fatigue from the noise - and in some respects it's not so good - less energy somehow. In my case this is not really a problem as only a few songs we do are of the "high energy" kind, but I can see how some people would feel there is something lacking when using the plugs. I would urge anyone who feel the same to learn how to live with this anyway, there simply is no certain cure for damaged hearing or tinnitus.

Mike Dimin · #**103** 03-23-2003, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anders Östberg
I find I possibly become a bit "detached" when playing with earplugs,

Imagine how detached someone would feel if they couldn't hear what was going on around them.

Mike

FretNoMore · #**104** 03-23-2003, 08:00 AM

Mike, I totally agree, as you can see from the last sentence in my previous post. I use form-fitted plugs at both rehearsals and gigs.

RichBriere · #**105** 03-23-2003, 08:03 AM

I continue to be the pain in the b-ass and preach that playing music while wearing ear plugs is akin to Van Gogh wearing two catchers mitts while he painted.
Turn down---it's FREE!

RB

www.richbriere.com

Mike Dimin · #**106** 03-23-2003, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anders Östberg
Mike, I totally agree, as you can see from the last sentence in my previous post. I use form-fitted plugs at both rehearsals and gigs.

Anders, I wasn't talking about you. I just used your post to hammer home a point.

Rich, when you can't hear any longer. can I have first dibs on the MTD

Mike

josh_kaprun · #**107** 03-23-2003, 08:32 AM

AO Safety. If you buy some of their earplugs, you will never have a problem with anything again. I keep them with me no matter where I go. The great thing about them is that, when I have them in, I can hear someone whispering to me in a normal environment, or I can stand directly in front of a 10,000 watt PA booming at full blast and it not be loud enough to damage my hearing (it rattles my bones, which I'm sure causes damage, but my ears are fine). I played in a band that praticed full blast all the time, and without my earplugs, it was too loud, and I couldn't really distinguish between sounds or hear what the guitarist was playing. I don't know why that was, I just couldn't. However, when I had my earplugs in, they blocked out all of the excess noise from my bass amp and the drums and I could hear the guitarist perfectly. So, not only will these earplugs help save your hearing, they will allow you to hear more of the music. And, best of all, they're pretty small and very comfortable. I wouldn't part with mine for anything. Anyway, there's my 2 cents.

RichBriere · #**108** 03-23-2003, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Dimin

Rich, when you can't hear any longer. can I have first dibs on the MTD

Mike

Sorry Mike....whad'ya say?? I can't seem to hear ya'.

rabid_granny · #**109** 03-23-2003, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by iplaybass
I used earplugs at a very loud practice, and I found I had to take them out because I couldn't play as well for some reason! My timing was off and I just couldn't get the hang of playing with them in. Has anybody else had this problem? I really want to protect my hearing, but not at the expense of my musicianship!

Are you using foamies? They lower the volume but deaden the high-end too much - the specialized earplugs are better. I decided to buy and try a pair of ER-20's from Mike Dimin (ordered 'em yesterday) before spending $200 on the custom plugs. I should be able to A/B/C foamies, Sonic II's and the ER-20's in a little while.

nicoli · #**110** 03-24-2003, 02:02 AM

iplaybass - I had that problem when I first started wearing plugs but after a few practices it wasnt' an issue anymore. Force yourself to wear them and eventually it will feel natural.

Andrew Jones · #**111** 03-24-2003, 06:22 AM

Quote:

try a pair of ER-20's

Ive used a pair of those for a year thier nice. I didnt know they were made by the good people untill I went to the specialist and got the pamflet for the new ones.

AJ

rabid_granny · #**112** 03-27-2003, 11:54 AM

Yeah, got my ER-20's in the mail yesterday (Thanks Mike!). Haven't tried them in a band setting but A/B/C'ed the three in front of the TV. I'm surprised at how well the ER-20's fit. The Sonic II earplugs I was using were made of a stiff plastic material that were sharp and uncomfortable. The ER-20's are soft and don't dig in at all. And the sound quality while wearing them was much better than the Sonic II's. The noise reduction was more substantial (as expected) but the quality of the reduction was substantially different. In order to match the sound clarity while wearing the Sonic II's, I had to plug up the soundholes with my fingers. And the foamies, well, no competition.

Mike Dimin · #**113** 03-27-2003, 12:00 PM

I just bought some cords for the earplugs. I was reluctant to carry them, but I'm going to give them a chance. I'll have them posted on the website tomorrow morning. The cords cost an extra buck

Mike

Impulsee · #**114** 03-28-2003, 11:13 PM

im so crazy about hearing. Like the other night i herd a story about some kid who went to a conster, and now has to hear a loud ringing for hte rest of his life. that scared the piss outta me. so im looking in to get really good ear plugs. I DONT WANT TENDINITUS (if thats how its spelled/called) but yeah. Tonight i went to a friends, and his band was jamming. but i went in and covered my hears, and found some heavy duity ear muff things that drummers wear. im really worryed, i dont wanna hear ringing ^_^ iv been going to music stores, but they only have little cheap 16$ ones that only reduce 12 of the levels or wahtever. is that enough??~?? anyone know a really good site to order some good ones from??~?? thanks!!~!!

- w00t

**embellisher** · #**115** 03-29-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Impulsee
anyone know a really good site to order some good ones from??~?? thanks!!~!!

- w00t

The best place is Michael Dimin's website, here is a link to his estore.

http://www.michaeldimin.com/estore.htm

SMASH · #**116** 03-30-2003, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Dimin
I just bought some cords for the earplugs. I was reluctant to carry them, but I'm going to give them a chance. I'll have them posted on the website tomorrow morning. The cords cost an extra buck
Mike

The cords are a must, IMO, along with that nifty plastic pouch they fit into.

iplaybass · #**117** 03-30-2003, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rabid_granny

Are you using foamies? They lower the volume but deaden the high-end too much - the specialized earplugs are better. I decided to buy and try a pair of ER-20's from Mike Dimin (ordered 'em yesterday) before spending $200 on the custom plugs. I should be able to A/B/C foamies, Sonic II's and the ER-20's in a little while.

Rabid- Yes I am using foamies. Hearos to be precise. I think i will order a set of ER-20's, I'd be interested in seeing if having a flatter cut response will solve my problem.

Mike Dimin · #**118** 03-30-2003, 06:54 PM

My earplugs (ER-20's) are made by Etymotic Research the same company that makes the custom earplug filters.

I just noticed that the prie on their website went up from 10 - 12.00 dollars (mine are still 10.00). I'm hoping that my cost has not risen. If so I'll have to raise mine. I'll know more tomorrow.

My feeling is that my price has not gone up YET. Get them while the getting is good.

Mike

RichBriere · #**119** 03-30-2003, 06:58 PM

Mike....just got a message that you had posted on Talkbass..........WHILE I was visiting YOUR site. Nice place. :^>)

RB

Schwinn · #**120** 04-03-2003, 01:08 PM

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all that posted on this thread.

I was very inspired by what some of you guys had to say. I had never thought too much about hearing protection until this thread.

I'm making an appointment with an audiologist for custom ear plugs next week. It's only $150, so I'm going for it.