Ear Damage

funkygroover694 · #1 12-03-2009, 04:33 PM

Hey guys! I was wondering about ear damage and how to prevent it. I've had some people say to turn down my amp because I might damage my ears. I usually keep it at about halfway when I don't have headphones in, and at around 1 or 2 with headphones in. So if you have any advice on how to protect my ears. Thanks!

Rock on

guli · #2 12-03-2009, 04:35 PM

You can always turn the volume down? Or use earplugs.

Stumbo · #3 12-04-2009, 01:32 AM

Custom earplugs are the way to go.

Keep the volume as low as possible and still hear yourself. Hearing damage is cumulative. Dont' mess with your hearing just to play loud.

Where you place the volume control is secondary to how loud you're actually playing.

fearceol · #4 12-04-2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Custom earplugs are the way to go.

+1. Something like these: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/er915and25pr.html

A bit pricey, yes, but your hearing is priceless.

Whatever you do, use some sort of ear protection.

Earthday · #5 12-04-2009, 08:45 AM

Find a local audiologist or E.N.T. and get a custom mold made. It's about $150, which is worth it for the clarity and comfort of a nice custom pair. I'd go ER-15's for a typical band, ER-25's for an extra loud rock band.

thepeopleperson · #6 12-04-2009, 08:51 AM

I guess you live in USA, but if not apparently opticians here in UK offer free hearing tests to musicians etc. I've not had one yet.

But definitely ear protection, you might feel it's silly or what not (I did at first) but god ear plugs work wonders. I've just begun to hear the low ringing in my ears in the mornings, I really can't afford to do any more gigs/rehearsals without plugs, and neither can you!

So Low Bass · #7 12-04-2009, 06:45 PM

Cymbals can be real killers!

EagleMoon · #8 12-04-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

Cymbals can be real killers!

No kidding! That and guitar amps aimed at your head.

RWP · #9 12-04-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

Cymbals can be real killers!

+1 That is probably where my 3k notch came from. Ear plugs.

kcamsdog1387 · #10 12-04-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

Cymbals can be real killers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

No kidding! That and guitar amps aimed at your head.

Wow guys you just described my new band's rehearsal space like you've been there before. We're in our guitard's garage and our drummer is on the right against the wall, so I get his splash and crash in my right ear. The guitarist uses his line6 practice amp as a "brain" to his 80's Marshall 2x12 combo propped up on a cabinet facing my left ear. So I'm stuck in the middle against the door with my Acoustic Half Stack on the floor and my ears only hearing ultra crunchy in the left and ringing cymbals in my right. And i can only feel my bass... (I've since put headphones on and sit on my cab)

EagleMoon · #11 12-04-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcamsdog1387

Wow guys you just described my new band's rehearsal space like you've been there before. We're in our guitard's garage and our drummer is on the right against the wall, so I get his splash and crash in my right ear. The guitarist uses his line6 practice amp as a "brain" to his 80's Marshall 2x12 combo propped up on a cabinet facing my left ear. So I'm stuck in the middle against the door with my Acoustic Half Stack on the floor and my ears only hearing ultra crunchy in the left and ringing cymbals in my right. And i can only feel my bass... (I've since put headphones on and sit on my cab)

I had both guitarists in my band turn their amps away from me and it helped, as does turning down. Hard to turn the drummer down though.

Stumbo · #12 12-05-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

Hard to turn the drummer down though.

IME, "turning the drummer down" is pretty easy. Pick up some sound board from your local big box hardware store. Comes in inexpensive 4'x8' sheets.

We cut the one large piece in half to make two 4'x4' pieces, set them up in front of the drummer and used some wire at the top/bottom to hold them together/upright.

This was a quick and dirty setup. Add more pieces around the drummer and/or adjust the height of the pieces to match the height of the cymbals,etc and you'll have much better sound absorption.

Hanging some above the drummer would help as well. Even putting some carpet over a layer of sound board on the ground will increase the sound reduction value.

Also, cutting a hole for the kick drum to come through would probably be a good idea.

You'll be amazed how well this simple setup works.

If you have enough room in your rehearsal space, building a small isolation booth would be the ultimate.

This probably would work for guitar amps as well.

funkygroover694 · #13 12-05-2009, 10:12 PM

Thanks guys. I'll go get some custom earplugs!

dmusic148 · #14 12-05-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkygroover694

Thanks guys. I'll go get some custom earplugs!

Good call. It never ceases to amaze me how we'll spend thousands on gear, and then balk at a hundred and fifty bucks or so to protect our ears, which can't be repaired or replaced.

Stumbo · #15 12-05-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkygroover694

Thanks guys. I'll go get some custom earplugs!

When they do the mold for your custom ear plugs, ask how much an extra set would cost(w/o the filters). They don't keep your mold on hand, so if you lose one, you start over. You can also purchase additional filters. A set of -15db and -25db should be good.

Also, for convenience, you might ask for a string to be molded in (that goes around the back of your head) so you can take them out and keep them handy w/o having to set them down somewhere.

When I got mine, I got them to make me a solid set (no opening for the filters) so I can use them for max. sound reduction for working on equipment/sleeping, etc. and still have the comfort.

TortillaChip520 · #16 12-05-2009, 11:46 PM

Honestly, I just stuff some cotton or toilet paper in my ears. At shows I'm generally behind or lateral with the guitar amps so they aren't really that loud, and the drumset is a bit away and we're in a big room so the sound disperses fine and i don't need any ear protection. Practice is a different story..

coronado3 · #17 12-05-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

+1 That is probably where my 3k notch came from. Ear plugs.

yep... mine too.

Anyone besides me have tinnitus? It sucks!

MooseLumps · #18 12-06-2009, 12:05 AM

I keep two pairs on me when i expect noise. some foam -40's and some rubber -20's. I can practice with either, but I'll use the 20's if i can stand it.

fearceol · #19 12-06-2009, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

Honestly, I just stuff some cotton or toilet paper in my ears. At shows I'm generally behind or lateral with the guitar amps so they aren't really that loud, and the drumset is a bit away and we're in a big room so the sound disperses fine and i don't need any ear protection. Practice is a different story..

Cotton or paper in the ears is not a good idea. A friend used to do this, and at one stage he could not remove the paper, as it had gone in too far. It was in there for a week and his ear began to go septic. Besides, cotton or paper do not insulate the ears from loud noise.

If you are going to protect your ears (which is strongly recommended), then it is worth doing right.

MIJ-VI · #20 12-06-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coronado3

yep... mine too.

Anyone besides me have tinnitus? It sucks!

Yes. Yup!