playing bass with hearing loss...

Seb_VitusFreak · #1 09-19-2009, 11:27 PM

Hey guys,

i have suffered some moderate hearing loss over the course of listening to music through headphone a bit too loud a couple years ago, and I was wondering if it is worth the practice to get back into playing bass as a hobby? (i first started in grade 11, i am in college now)

I am also hoping to get both of my ears checked out soon also. Along with unclogging one of them. (earwax buildup in my right ear lol)

I do not listen to music loudly through headphones anymore. i have learned my lesson, due to the damage done.

Obviously.

-VitusFreak

spencer · #2 09-20-2009, 12:10 AM

I dont see why not..

I have hearing loss seemingly in the vocal range.. Doesn't hurt my music skills at all..

Then again sometimes I play whole songs in drop D without noticing..

Unrepresented · #3 09-20-2009, 01:10 AM

Make sure you play at moderate levels and/or with earplugs to avoid losing more range. Otherwise I don't see how it'd be an issue.

popinfresh · #4 09-20-2009, 01:15 AM

What??

popinfresh · #5 09-20-2009, 01:27 AM

OK OK.. Seriously now...

I've lost quite a bit of hearing (left ear is almost all gone, right ear has lost high frequencies and over the course of time going to the sound specialist they kept dropping, but nothing they can do), and only age 21. I'm not giving up music anytime soon, and I don't see why you couldn't start. No need for loud volume whilst practicing, and while at gigs just make sure to wear proper ear protection (at LEAST something like hearo's, I think they have a different name in North America though? The ones that cut 15-20db yet keep frequencies even).

jdieh1 · #6 09-20-2009, 05:15 AM

How do you know whether or not you have suffered permanent hearing loss or if it's just an earwax buildup?

I'm asking because recently I noticed that my right ear has suffered some loss in hearing for some reason and it is really annoying me but is worrying me as well since I can't hear much properly anymore.

Get it checked out?

On the question at hand, I'd play music for as long as you enjoy it, just be smart about the volume and if you're in doubt maybe use ear plugs or something to protect your hearing.

**lowendfriend** · #7 09-20-2009, 07:52 AM

Here is the best online hearing test I've found.

http://www.digital-recordings.com/he...ht_help_p.html

It calibrates for your headphones and minimum discernable sounds to be reasonably credible. My hearing is essentially gone above 6 KHz....assume it was my early garage band days when we just blasted away in a closed basement...no hearing protection.

Read my signature line....am 58 and counting... did the garage band thing when 17. Try to be more careful now!

JNowiski · #8 09-20-2009, 10:44 AM

i think the majority of us have some hearing loss. we're musicians, if you gig you're gonna get hearing loss, at least a little bit. not to mention the few of us who have gained hearing loss not only from music but also from guns and explosions. so yeah, its not a waste of time.

L-A · #9 09-20-2009, 01:24 PM

I have tinnitus/hyperacusis. As long as it's not overwhelming, I don't see why you couldn't play.

spencer · #10 09-20-2009, 05:19 PM

I used the testing site above,

they call me hellen keller because I am legally blind and I seem to have a hard time hearing what people are saying..

I would love it if some of you guys with better hearing will post your results heres mine.. Doesn't look too bad.

Notice my right ear has a little more hearing loss

SelenaBassGirl · #11 09-20-2009, 06:05 PM

Beethovan played and composed when he became deaf, so I don't see why not! Blind can play instruments and even that drummer from Def Leppard plays with one arm.
It may be a challange but don't let it keep you from doing what you love to do! There's got to be a way to help you...best of luck!

Tama · #12 09-20-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdieh1

How do you know whether or not you have suffered permanent hearing loss or if it's just an earwax buildup?

If you suspect wax buildup, just get you an ear syringe. Cheap...$3 or $4 .

Use it with peroxide first, then rinse inner ear with clean warm tap water.
You might be surprised at all the junk that comes out & how well you hear after the cleaning.
Dave

L-A · #13 09-20-2009, 06:52 PM

Sure, I'll play along.

Bonus points for figuring out what tinnitus does to certain frequencies.

**lowendfriend** · #14 09-20-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spencer

I used the testing site above,

they call me hellen keller because I am legally blind and I seem to have a hard time hearing what people are saying..

I would love it if some of you guys with better hearing will post your results heres mine.. Doesn't look too bad.

Notice my right ear has a little more hearing loss

I'd pay cash money to have that curve....mine heads north sharply (poor sensitivity) after 6 KHz.

Make sure you are calibrating properly for the minimum sound sensitivity...use your best earphones....keep room quiet.

spencer · #15 09-20-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

I'd pay cash money to have that curve....mine heads north sharply (poor sensitivity) after 6 KHz.

Make sure you are calibrating properly for the minimum sound sensitivity...use your best earphones....keep room quiet.

Thanks, people always tell me Im deaf, but I can hear all types of noises, I just can't even hear what people are saying, I really think its because of there stupid southern slur.

Im not using the best earphones, and room is quiet I did calibrate as best as I could Im going to try agian.

spencer · #16 09-20-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spencer

I used the testing site above,

they call me hellen keller because I am legally blind and I seem to have a hard time hearing what people are saying..

I would love it if some of you guys with better hearing will post your results heres mine.. Doesn't look too bad.

Notice my right ear has a little more hearing loss

Hmm this time I did it with volume as low as possible, room as quiet as possible and earmuffs over earphones and here is the results.. Quite different from the last..

L-A · #17 09-20-2009, 08:09 PM

That's an excellent test. You don't have any major hearing loss, if that comes as news

(Screen capture protip: You can do cmd+shift+4 instead, and draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture)

beelzelboss · #18 09-20-2009, 08:32 PM

GAHH didn't think to screen capture it. I remember it though. Up to 250 I am about 10 db better than the dots. The rest I'm 5 db above, then from 6k up I'm like 5 db under. Is that good?

L-A · #19 09-20-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

GAHH didn't think to screen capture it. I remember it though. Up to 250 I am about 10 db better than the dots. The rest I'm 5 db above, then from 6k up I'm like 5 db under. Is that good?

On the chart, under the dots is good. The more dB there is to a certain frequency, the louder it has to be for you to hear it.

So... "better" is bad

Tama · #20 09-20-2009, 09:00 PM

We have audio-metric tests at work each year.

The Nurse told me I have hearing loss at the range that speech is at.
I had to laugh....I told her that was from being married so long.