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Hearing impared needs help with headphones

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pequeajim

Aug 17, 2001
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#1
Hi All.

I played bass for over 35 years and then lost most of my hearing due to a hereditary bone problem in my ears which caused the bones to harden, and not transmit the sound to the nerve endings. I finally had an operation on them both and have regained some of my hearing, but must wear hearing aides, and my hearing in the low end is terrible. I have tried playing bass, but I need to turn it up SO loud, that it affects everyone else on stage.

I alo tried in-ear monitors, but the ones I selected do not provide enough power with a clean bass sound, so I have been playing by vibration which is not good. One time I was so embarrased to find out I was playing in the wrong key!

I am about to give up, but a friend convinced me to look for another solution; so, I have been researching full headsets. With larger drivers and amplification, they might provide the power and clarity I am looking for.

Any suggestions?
 
#2
First off...that's AWESOME that you have regained some hearing!!! I'd be thrilled to death/tickled pink/happy as a pig in sh*t/etc.

A good set of over the ear, noise cancelling headphones with a quality amp might do it for you. They can certainly get pretty loud.

I'm not sure what to recommend though. Usually I'd say go to a store and listen to them to decide, but I'm not sure how feasible that is for you. Some headphones have a ton of bass, and others have a very flat response. I use Direct Sound EX29's for band practice. They keep out 29db, have a nice and flat response, and get loud. I'm just not sure if they would have enough bass for what you describe.

I've also got a pair of Sony MDR V900's that sound killer, but if you really cranked them up and boosted the bass you'd most certainly blow them.

I would start looking into audiophile type forums, as they would be able to suggest a nice amp and a good set of cans.
 
#3
As a fellow player with some hearing loss, but not as bad as you I think, I'd say before you do anything like increasing the volume going into your ears, consult your audiologist.

They may well be able to adjust your hearing aids or make some helpful suggestions.

And you don't want to be further damaging your hearing by high volumes - this may not be applicable to you, I don't know.

That said, if your nerves are actually OK, maybe look (again with your audiologist's advice) to other ways of transmitting the vibrations through your head to the nerves.

Perhaps, literal "head" phones are what you need! Not through the ear, but through your skull... Whether or not this can be achieved without shaking your eyeballs loose I don't know!

Good luck with it, do let us know how it goes.

:bassist:
 
#5
Wow, good luck my friend. This is a hard road indeed. I would suggest you try the Bose noise canceling headphones, the over-the-ear type. They are very effective at reducing background noise, and are rather strong in the low-end. They may work for you. Alternately, as much add I hate to be a shill for them, the Dr Dre Beats by Monster might be the ticket. Not noise canceling, but low-end heavy.
 
#7
I am going to have to ask for some help remembering the name of the product and manufacturer, but someone makes a highly-regarded powered stand-on platform that does exactly what you want.

Anybody remember what this is called? It is not that long ago I saw it reviewed.
 
#10
Hellbastard said:
Tecamp's Pleasure Board.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's the one.

Link Removed

Looks like it is a 600W 8ohm subwoofer that you stand on, which can be used in place of an extension cab on your regular rig, or with their companion product the Pleasure Pump.

I have not tried one, but if you have ever played on one of those old, shaky stages that resonates the bass to certain points, and stood on those points, it is INSPIRING. Makes the bass sound perfect. I would guess this is exactly like that.

Has anybody tried one of these? It does sound like it works the same way the Buttkicker does, but TecAmp's product description seems more complete.
 

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