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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

#1,041
When I started rehearsing/gigging with a band regularly, I went to an audiologist and had my ears fitted for custom-molded Westones, similar to the ones in the link below. The plug that can be inserted into the earpiece comes two ways: as a solid plug that blocks out just about all sound or a plug that has a filter/small screen on it. Or, you can just take the plug out entirely and wear only the earpiece. In essence, you have 3 options for blocking sound, depending on your needs. Insurance paid none of it, but these were well worth the $180 spent.

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#1,043
I got a bulk box of like 200 pair from Amazon for around $40 I think. I use them for mowing or running machinery, at concerts, bars, movie theaters, to help sleep during the day, you name it. I actually do audio for a living so i'm probably more concerned and paranoid about hearing loss than the average person.

For playing music, though, I wear UE900 IEMs. These are just generic in ear monitors that happen to sound great.
 
#1,045
Now if I could only find a combo all-in-one hearing aid (so I can hear anything) ear plug (so I can save what little is left) IEM (so I can hear myself) that also bluetoothed with my phone... ...ought to be possible, probably even a market for it amongst us aging boomer types. :D
 
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#1,050
When I was a kid I started playing and my parents told me to protect my ears. They only bought me Walkmans with the little knob for "volume protection" and I've trained myself to listen to music while never going too high on volume. Now, having passed 40 years old, my hearing is in good shape. I've bought myself ear protection (something called music safe by Alpine) mainly because of drums. I always think of Phil Collins. Loved to hear the guy sing and play and seeing the tears in his eyes when he explained he could no longer play really broke something in my heart. I'll never forget this. We must make sure we tell everyone especially young players to really protect their earing.
 
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#1,051
I’m on and off again with earplugs. I have several Off the shelf “musician earplugs” as well as custom molds with er9 and er15 filters. I need to make a New Years resolution to wear them more often. IMO they all effect some frequencies to some degree, but if you wear them consistently you do adjust. I’ve fallen out of the habit, and have been playing more acoustic/drummerless gigs, so have needed them less often.
 
#1,053
FirewalZ said:
I’m on and off again with earplugs. I have several Off the shelf “musician earplugs” as well as custom molds with er9 and er15 filters. I need to make a New Years resolution to wear them more often. IMO they all effect some frequencies to some degree, but if you wear them consistently you do adjust. I’ve fallen out of the habit, and have been playing more acoustic/drummerless gigs, so have needed them less often.
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I have custom molded earplugs (not that expensive, actually) with 9dB inserts. At that level I can hear most of the nuance in what I'm playing. My band is moderate to low volume, so it's enough for protection. I usually set up on one far side of the band, so occasionally I will wear the earplug on the side facing the band where music and drums have the highest impact, and omit the plug in the other ear.
 
#1,056
It's not only music, I've just started considering looking for protection...I was a Chicago Fireman for 32yrs, now retired. I always drove the rig, and usually drove with the window down even when it was cold with my elbow out so I could see down, trees, viaducts and stuff like that. Always, the air horn(s) were on the driver's side. Those horns were brutal. I am a motorcycle rider and for the last number of years I've used foam plugs. I'll get better ones, but the foams are going with me tonite.

I shoulda stuffed one of those foams in my left ear when I was driving the rig. Dummy.
 
#1,057
Interesting court case for UK musicians...
Opera house loses hearing damage appeal
The Royal Opera House has lost its appeal over the life-changing hearing damage caused to a viola player at a rehearsal of Wagner's Die Walkure.
The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that the ROH failed to take reasonable steps to protect Christopher Goldscheider during the 2012 rehearsal.
It also failed to act on dangerous noise levels until after Mr Goldscheider's injury, the court ruled.

He Invalid Link Removed last year, which was challenged by the ROH.
In that case, Mr Goldscheider sued the opera house, claiming damages for acoustic shock - a condition with symptoms including tinnitus, hyperacusis and dizziness.
In its appeal, the ROH claimed the artistic value of the music produced by the orchestra meant that some hearing damage to its players was inevitable and justifiable - but that was rejected by the court.
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#1,058
Great massively important thread. One thing to add is aside from losing your career and your access to music, which is absolutely awful, hearing loss is torture in old age.

My mother was nursing director at a residential facility for the elderly, the type of place where the residents can still take care of themselves, but need access to more serious care for incidents. It was heartbreaking watching so many of them deal with hearing loss. You have trouble connecting with others and asking for help; it's insanely isolating. The residents with profound vision issues were typically much hapier than the residents with profound hearing loss since they had less trouble creating relationships/friendships, and forming bonds with others. Don't do that to yourself just so you can hear 10% more high end right now. It's not worth it.
 
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#1,059
Xjenrbcjsmsbfjw said:
Great massively important thread. One thing to add is aside from losing your career and your access to music, which is absolutely awful, hearing loss is torture in old age.

My mother was nursing director at a residential facility for the elderly, the type of place where the residents can still take care of themselves, but need access to more serious care for incidents. It was heartbreaking watching so many of them deal with hearing loss. You have trouble connecting with others and asking for help; it's insanely isolating. The residents with profound vision issues were typically much hapier than the residents with profound hearing loss since they had less trouble creating relationships/friendships, and forming bonds with others. Don't do that to yourself just so you can hear 10% more high end right now. It's not worth it.
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It's been shown scientifically that hearing loss substantially contributes to, and accelerates, the onset of dementia. :(
 

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