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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

#1,021
I spent years being "that guy" with ear plugs. I used to buy the cheap foam construction-style ones by the box of 200 and would just toss them in coat pockets, cases and glove compartments. It used to be the ritual for awhile that I would forget until the first song and then catch it for the second.

Few years ago went and got fitted for pro-quality plugs. Had to go through all the testing before they would do it. I was told that for what I do my hearing is significantly intact; I'm at about average with what a non-musician would experience. Never been more thankful to be "at about average or slightly better."
 
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#1,022
Some of those hearing tests seem a bit questionable to me,
I can tell I've lost some hearing on certain hertz levels,
but the tests don't pick up that I've lost anything...they
keep telling me my hearing is well within normal ranges...
yet when other noises are present, I can't hear what some
folks are saying. Just took a test 8 months ago and left
feeling somewhat worried that they missed a buncha stuff.
 
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#1,024
Big Shrek said:
Some of those hearing tests seem a bit questionable to me,
I can tell I've lost some hearing on certain hertz levels,
but the tests don't pick up that I've lost anything...they
keep telling me my hearing is well within normal ranges...
yet when other noises are present, I can't hear what some
folks are saying. Just took a test 8 months ago and left
feeling somewhat worried that they missed a buncha stuff.
Click to expand...

Go to an audiologist that has an AuD (Doctor of Audiology) tall them that you are a musician and that although you might be WNL (Within Normal Limits) that you want to know more precisely as this is how you make your living. If they are unwilling or unable find a new audiologist (or move to upstate NY and make an appointment with my wife)
 
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#1,030
I remember one of my first bands we played in the guitarists parents basement. One of those little of to the side rooms. All concrete. No carpet. We got the drums in there. Our amps. Oh man we were ready to buy the bus and tour the world and elsewhere.

I’m telling you It sounded like 1200 circle saws in a beehive. Man it was so ungodly loud!!! After that we used the old big total coverage old school hi Fi stereo headphones as our “ear plugs”. Big difference. I’ve been devoted to at least attempting to protect my hearing ever since. I use earplugs at gigs and if I go to a rock show (which is rare) I wear ear plugs.

I’ll never forget how loud that was!!!
 
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#1,031
I have tinnitus in my left ear, some high-frequency loss in both ears. My ENT Doctor also wants to have me retest in six months as he says that I have lost some lower frequency loss in the right as well.
During the 1980's and 1990's, I played loudly in a very loud rock band. Commonly used either 2x410 or 4x15 stacks just to be heard over the immature drummer with the chip on both shoulders, the arrogant guitarist/lead singer with his Marshall stack and Lab Series stereo setup. I also rode motorcycles for several years.
I don't ride motorcycles anymore, and from now on I will always wear earplugs if playing above normal conversational volume level, and I refuse to play with anyone who is so loud that I need more than a couple of hundred watts and 2 small 1x12" cabs to be heard. Unless of course, they offer for me to join a big-name act on a world tour of big venues and pay well enough for me to make the needed sacrifices that touring requires. But still, I'm not going to play without the earplugs.
 
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#1,032
I'm glad to see this thread. I used plugs periodically (mostly an orchestra player) and would plug the right ear (next to the brass) and as a result I have a slight hearing dip in my LEFT ear since it was left unprotected. Now that I went back to school for audiology, holy crap has everything changed. I still occasionally loosen the left ear plug when I know it won't be loud but it stays in my ear to be pushed in as needed. Hearing protection is something that NEEDS to be taken into consideration.

I do want custom plugs (freelance bassist AND grad student is not the most financially stable scenario) but settle for the foam ones. These are not ideal and I am looking into some OTC flat attenuation plugs. One member of the section always has a snide remark about the tuba player using ear plugs and I got a little flak about it this week too. Oh well.

I am considering doing my research project next year on determining how much protection is needed in different parts of a professional orchestra. I want to take measurements with as many different plugs as I can because you only need to keep the levels hitting your eardrums around 80 dB. If you're not in front of trumpets or timpani, you can get away with plugs that don't reduce as much as the foam ones and may not sound as bad. I'd love to expand it to electric bass situations as well, but that'll have to wait.

Keep 'em plugged, folks!
 
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#1,035
Jimmy4string said:
Finally got to try out the Eptomotic's at practice last night. They work great! Couldnt hear myself perfectly but might just take some getting used too. Our guitarist really needs them he is complaining about ringing all the time.
Click to expand...

I use the Invalid Link Removeds. They're $300, and they work great. It took me three gigs to get used to them, and now I forget I have them in. You can have a normal conversation while wearing them, and protection when things get loud. I've already got hearing loss and tinnitus from decades of being an idiot and not wearing them. At least now my hearing isn't getting any worse. PS: As with others, they work best when you don't push them in too far.
 
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#1,036
I'm 63, and have had to wear hearing aids since I turned 50--the direct result of playing in loud bands--not just rock, but all genres.
Even with my hearing aids, I struggle to understand people; without closed-captions on tv, I'd never be able to understand the dialogue.
One of the toughest aspects is that any loud music, or even loud groups of people, are irritating as hell...everything sounds distorted--hearing aids or not.
Fortunately, my son, who plays drums professionally, learned from my mistake: he always wears plugs--even on soft gigs.
 
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#1,037
RG said:
I too have abused my ears over the years and now I use ear plugs when I am exposed to high volume. I have tried many different kinds and still search for the perfect pair. I've considered going to a hearing aid shop to possibly be fitted for a pair. Has anyone done this? Any advice ?

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the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
Click to expand...
I wore hearing aids for over 20+ years as my hearing decreased. I now am bilaterally implanted with cochlear implants. I highly recommend getting professionally examined for your hearing. A research university in a large city known for hearing research. My hearing loss was due excessive volume listening and playing music very load as a teenager. I am now 63. HEARING LOSS FOREVER. I am now completely deaf but with CIs am able able to appreciate music and play bass again
 
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