Oh they do ; it's just when you're young & invincible, you don't hear it, until you hear it.
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Hearing damage, tone and live sound.
- Thread starter Bass Boy
- Start date
Oh they do ; it's just when you're young & invincible, you don't hear it, until you hear it.
There was quite a controversy in the film sound community, and apparently a significant level of cinema goer complaints, about the mix in the Michael Mann film "Public Enemies".
As I recall, the director had been very particular in the way he wanted certain scenes mix (against the advice of those professionals around him), but his perception was skewed by his hearing aid.
Rumour has it, that during sound editing on the TV series Miami Vice, he berated the teams effects work, telling them
"No. This is how guns are supposed to sound!"
then produced a semi-automatic pistol, and fired off full load blanks, in a confined space - permanently damaging the hearing of everyone in the room.
There's also speculation that the reason that Stingrays (and subsequently G&L L2000) are so bright, is because Leo Fender's hearing had lost most of it's upper frequency sensitivity, by the time he was designing them.
Unfortunately, there's no getting around frequency loss, with age. But we can strive to minimise tinnitus, and raise awareness in young people (and parents of young people, for that matter).
One of my proudest moments, was when one of my all time heroes - Ivor Cutler - heard some of my records.
Simultaneously, one of my greates senses of regret is that the person behind the counter, evidently so invigorated by the music, cranked the volume up throught the store - causing Ivor to eventually give up, approach the person behind the counter, and covering his ears, mime a silent scream. He stormed out, and never returned to the store again, having been a regular for many years.
Ivor was a member of the Noise Abatement Society, and was tremendously sensitive to loud sounds - to the point he banned whistling in appreciation, at his concerts.
It was heartbreaking to see him cowering, hands clamped over his ears, at the rapturous audience applause (particularly at his retirement performance, aged 82, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall).
I’m 44yo and have to put my fingers in my ears outside shopping centres, car parks, etc because of this.Its also nice to be able to hear all those frequencies they say only 17 year olds can still hear- like the ones they would play outside 7-11 etc to keep the kids away
Heck.... I can hear the HF hissing noises from fluorescent lights, fridge compressors, power transformers, even gas stoves at restaurants. Total PITA!!
I have always worn hearing protection when I play in a live environment that is excessively loud (or even moderately loud) I have been lucky to not lose too much of my range. Something I have noticed, especially when playing with players over 40 in more "rock" environments is that I am usually the only one wearing protection (hearing, that is). After I set up my stage sound/volume I sometimes get comments that the sound is muffled or doesnt have enough highs. When I listen there is plenty of tone, range and IMO more treble than I need! I also find these same folks, when doing the FOH sound have piercing highs that cause me pain. Unfortunately when I mention that they may be using too much high end as a result of hearing loss over the years they are less than receptive. Too me it seems obvious that decads of loud guitars, drums and stage volume is gonna take its toll. Just venting here but anyone else run into this? (Maybe I just been playing jazz for too long
My band consists of players all in their 40s and 50s. Each of them complains of some degree of hearing loss. My hearing is fine, since I've regularly worn ear plugs during rehearsals and gigs. Sometimes at the end of a rehearsal when we are all packing up I will take them out as our guitarist is still noodling. His volume is ear-shattering. But to these guys, that volume is normal sounding. It's incredible to me how badly they've damaged their ears. When I'm wearing the ear plugs, I sometimes can barely hear my bass, but someone in the band always lets me know if I need to turn up or down.
When I was young, I suffered horrible and regular ear infections. Caused me to miss a ton of school, and doctors at that time wanted to insert tubes in my ears. My mom was a nurse, and thankfully, she adamantly refused this new procedure. Later on, many of my friends who did go thru that procedure had all kinds of ear and head health issues I do not have today. But I digress...
I'm 51. Played bass professionally since I was 15 or so. After my ear infections stopped, due to puberty I suppose, my ma, who had lost hearing in one ear, advised against ever putting anything IN my ears. This includes plugs and earbuds. I will not insert anything in my ears. But I do cover them. I wear beanies. I've played in some loud ass bands over the years. Heavy music rehearsals are THE worst fer high dB assaults, but all styles can get insane. I use the beanies to cover my ears as much as I need. The outer ear is responsible fer gathering and focusings highs into the ear drum. Covering my ears has worked fer me, and hats have become a fashion thing fer my image. The beanies keep my hearing far more clear than plugs, and along with using long cables to get away from strong drummers' cymbals and snares has helped me to keep nearly all my hearing despite having played so loud for so long. I always wear one. Even to other bands shows, to movies, anywhere SPLs can be high. I do have slight tinnitus. But truthfully, it seems to be linked more to my blood pressure than external noise. It increases after heavy physical exercise (I move furniture for a living), and when my heart is racing the tinnitus increases. As I sit outside this morning, relaxed having just awakened, it's nearly nonexistent. I will never insert anything into my ears. Ever. Bad idea. I put headphones over my beanies, even. And the louder the stage? The thicker the beanie. My hearing is very important to me. And the health of my ears, too. I am thankful that I still possess most of my hearing. And thankful fer my ma, who taught me.
I'm 51. Played bass professionally since I was 15 or so. After my ear infections stopped, due to puberty I suppose, my ma, who had lost hearing in one ear, advised against ever putting anything IN my ears. This includes plugs and earbuds. I will not insert anything in my ears. But I do cover them. I wear beanies. I've played in some loud ass bands over the years. Heavy music rehearsals are THE worst fer high dB assaults, but all styles can get insane. I use the beanies to cover my ears as much as I need. The outer ear is responsible fer gathering and focusings highs into the ear drum. Covering my ears has worked fer me, and hats have become a fashion thing fer my image. The beanies keep my hearing far more clear than plugs, and along with using long cables to get away from strong drummers' cymbals and snares has helped me to keep nearly all my hearing despite having played so loud for so long. I always wear one. Even to other bands shows, to movies, anywhere SPLs can be high. I do have slight tinnitus. But truthfully, it seems to be linked more to my blood pressure than external noise. It increases after heavy physical exercise (I move furniture for a living), and when my heart is racing the tinnitus increases. As I sit outside this morning, relaxed having just awakened, it's nearly nonexistent. I will never insert anything into my ears. Ever. Bad idea. I put headphones over my beanies, even. And the louder the stage? The thicker the beanie. My hearing is very important to me. And the health of my ears, too. I am thankful that I still possess most of my hearing. And thankful fer my ma, who taught me.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I was in a heavy metal band for many years hearing is shot to heck. Now I push my Classic rock band to play at a decent stage volume sometimes the guitarist like to let it fly, but I am always quick to rope them in. My lead guitarist ears are shot as well he wears ear protection during the show, but most of the time he is the biggest problem since he thinks he is too low. I use wireless headphones on stage or iem it helps me to keep the volume down on my stage amp it also isolates me a little from the cymbals which I believe has also taking it's toll stand next to the drummers was a lot easier when they were on the 6 ft risers 
and maybe they make me look like an A hole on stage, but I don't care, I can't afford to loose what hearing I have left
and maybe they make me look like an A hole on stage, but I don't care, I can't afford to loose what hearing I have left Interesting that most people refer to tinnitus as ringing. I would describe mine as more of a constant subdued buzzing reminiscent of distant cicadas and other insects on a summer evening. Sounds nice and soothing, right? Nope.
True words, though painful. While not as bad, I've got the permanent ringing and a bit of loss. It's not something you ever want to go through. I protected my ears religiously but an ear infection from flying caused some permanent damage. Protect your ears or you will be that guy who can't hear the full spectrum and has a constant EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE going on.
I’m convinced I’m the only musician that uses ear plugs, and everyone else is deaf. I can’t even get away with the ER25s, most of the time, and end up using the good old orange foam plugs to keep from losing hearing. I don’t mind the muffled sound, you get used to it. I’d rather go home without a headache.
I used to never wear hearing protection, whether practicing, rehearsing with a band, or onstage. At 52, I'm paying dearly for that. I've had bad tinnitus for many years now, as well as significant hearing loss in my left ear (drummer side with 35 years of cymbal bashing). It's what lead me to give up BarStardom 4 years ago. I was waking up in the morning from my Wife elbowing me to let me know my alarm clock was going off ... two feet from my head, and I was barely hearing it. I did start wearing ear plugs in rehearsals and onstage with the last tribute band I was in for the last couple of years, but it was already too late. When I couldn't get them to turn down the volume in rehearsals, I finally just quit.
I don't understand why some people think it has to be painfully loud to be good. I want to keep what hearing I have left. I'm not ready to stop playing or listening to music, not while I'm still breathing anyway.
I don't understand why some people think it has to be painfully loud to be good. I want to keep what hearing I have left. I'm not ready to stop playing or listening to music, not while I'm still breathing anyway.
I once played at a club that had mirrors for walls and a ceiling. The sound engineer told us to clear out after the soundcheck, as he was going to 'dial in' the EQ. He basically red-lined the faders on his desk, and then used a graphic EQ to try and notch out the feedback. Even from the greenroom area this was a horribly loud proceedure to overhear.
I've encountered a few sound engineers who were obviously deaf. Usually these guys are 50+ and just seem to come with the venue, though have no obvious skills of their own. The worst sound in the known universe is that boomy, ultra-plastic tone from a cheap piezo pickup in a cheap acoustic guitar being played by a singer. That sound is way more aggressive than a Telecaster into a small tweed amp and sensible volumes, yet people associate it with the notion of playing 'unplugged'. A total joke.
I've encountered a few sound engineers who were obviously deaf. Usually these guys are 50+ and just seem to come with the venue, though have no obvious skills of their own. The worst sound in the known universe is that boomy, ultra-plastic tone from a cheap piezo pickup in a cheap acoustic guitar being played by a singer. That sound is way more aggressive than a Telecaster into a small tweed amp and sensible volumes, yet people associate it with the notion of playing 'unplugged'. A total joke.
Well, that may be true. I probably wasn’t paying attention.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
...Yeah...a lot of Wahhh-wah-wah-wah-wah. Wah-wah-wahhhh?? Wahhh-wah-wah
I hear you there. At a jam with some old friends in a town I used to live in I walked out in the middle of a song because the drummer was just too damn loud. Didn’t get the hint at all. When the bassist stops there’s something wrong.
Cicada bugs is the perfect description!
There is an Australian movie made in 2007 called "Noise" which is about a cop with Tinnitus. The movie reproduces the effects very well. So well that my kids and wife said "That sound is awful" to which I replied "What sound? I don't hear anything." It was just that it was the sound matched my ringing perfectly so I couldn't detect it.
They've cut me a little slack about my hearing since the saw that movie.
BTW: There was also an American film in 2007 with the same name about a guy in New York. That is not the movie I'm referring to.
I'm like that... I often will hear a high frequency sound that nobody in the room hears... and I can't stop until I find it.
I recently bought a bluetooth adaptor to use on my stereo in the bedroom. I have to unplug it when not in use because the noise drives me crazy. My girlfriend thinks I'm making it up, and she's 16 years younger...
There's a lot of high frequency sounds around that most people don't seem to hear. I wish I could have a more useful 'superpower'
