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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

#841
Look immediately above for suggestions and sources.

I had a similar experience, playing in bands during high school. I played clarinet in the marching band and concert band, and tenor sax in the stage band. Particularly in the stage band, I got blasted in the back of my head by the brass section.

I gotta think that exposure was as high SPL as the rock bands I've played with.

P.S. IME, the Etymotic ER-20s don't color what you're hearing, beyond reducing the level.
 
#842
penstock said:
If you play in a band where you have to hear everything, try using wadded up toilet paper instead of earplugs. They dampen the sound but don't kill it. I use earplugs when I play bass, but I also play trumpet in a ska band and can't where them when I play it. It makes me sound like i'm playing a kazoo and I can't tell the volume I'm playing at. Playing with toilet paper in my ears works perfect though. The downside though, is that I am sure I am still getting some damage done to my ears, but its a lot better than wearing nothing at all.
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i also have the same problem. When i wear earplug, i cannot hear myself very clearly. I can still hear others like gtr and keys though. Even i wear wadded up toilet paper, the same thing happen.... i really don't know what to do.

I was in Jeff Berlin's school, Jeff wears ear plugs every time when he teaches the ensemble as i remember. We play alot softer in the ensemble compare to a gig but i don't know why he can still hear every thing clearly.
 
#843
My kids' custom ear plugs have even response across the frequency spectrum. They attenuate all frequencies evenly. My kids can hear everything, but at a lower volume. They are expensive, but well worth it.

For the cost of a couple of pedals, save your ears and enjoy the music.
 
#845
Westone.

See a certified audiologist and have him fit you. Don't go to a technician; go to someonr with a PhD in audiology. Price isn't everything; service and support after the initial sale is just as important.

My kids' cost $240 a pair, with -15dB and -25dB filters. You can get them cheaper, but I bought into a relationship, not just a couple of tiny plastic thingies. My audiologist is, IMHO, THE best.

Get your hearing checked every year.
 
#846
I have been a handgun and shot gunner for almost 2 decades and have used good old EAR foam plugs for all those years with great success.

I play in my buddy's garage, and the giant Fender cab behind me is deafening.

I have no issues with the foam plugs.

I am used to seeing bands with them in my ears.

They actually help me concentrate on the bass line a bit more.

I can't see buying the fancy ones, just because I have been using the foam ones for many years without any issues.
 
#847
I'm with you. I've tried about 6 or 7
different types of earplugs this last
month. Even 3 and 4 flanges with
different filters. I ended up going back
to the plain white foam ones. They really
cut out the piercing cymbals but I
can still hear my bass. Can't hear the
highs of the bass when I'm slapping,
but I can deal with that. I can't deal with
playing next to cymbals any more without
protection.
 
#848
My experience with the foam earplugs are different. I find that they dampen the sounds to such an extent that you can't really hear everything. The sounds are just muddy.

I also have custom earplugs. I got them from an audiologist and while they were expensive, they work very nicely because they are attenuated and therefore, I can hear everything pretty clearly.
 
#850
I just picked up some Ahead custom molded earplugs from GC for $25. They come like epoxy, you mix two blobs together and push them into your ears (don't worry there's tons of material on the outside, they won't get stuck) and in 10 mins pull them out. You now have custom molded earplugs. I still have to try them at practice, but my guitarist swears by them. Wearing them around the house they remind me A LOT of the $75 custom molded "pro" plugs I had made years ago (but lost). I can hear people speaking but the sound is really well attenuated.
 
#852
Just had my annual hearing test at the audiologist today. Thanks to my continued consistent use of my custom earplugs my hearing has remained stable.

I don't want to lose anymore hearing than I already have. Thank goodness they are doing the job they are meant to do; allow me to protect my hearing while still being able to hear full spectrum sound, just at lower volume.
 
#853
Esquillama said:
Just had my annual hearing test at the audiologist today. Thanks to my continued consistent use of my custom earplugs my hearing has remained stable.

I don't want to lose anymore hearing than I already have. Thank goodness they are doing the job they are meant to do; allow me to protect my hearing while still being able to hear full spectrum sound, just at lower volume.
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+1

Well done.
 
#856
Played a gig at a local bar recently and they booked us for a few more gigs. One of the in-house PA speakers was directly behind my head at ear level. Most I can move is a foot or two to the side of the stage. Guess I'll be needing some plugs now....:D
 
#857
Bryan R. Tyler said:
Played a gig at a local bar recently and they booked us for a few more gigs. One of the in-house PA speakers was directly behind my head at ear level. Most I can move is a foot or two to the side of the stage. Guess I'll be needing some plugs now....:D
Click to expand...

Wow! Guys/Gals, remember... if you hear any ringing at all after the gig, damage HAS ALREADY happened...
 
#859
The foam plugs cut a lot of highs. But are necessary most of the time. The damage occurs whether you realize it or not.
Of course, the answer is for bands to not play stupid loud. I caught a typical bar band last saturday and couldn't even enjoy it due to ridiculous volume. If people are holding their ears and are reluctant to dance up front, you're way too loud.
 
#860
Hello all, I'm trying to find a group that if I'm not mistaken is/was named "65dB", because that's the sound level that they use/used to play at, but I can't find them? Does anyone know anything about them? Any links?

Thx!
 

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