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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

#261
Hey Govithoy, that ringing could just be your ear wax pressing up against your ear drum (eww, tonight on Fear Factor..)

That hasn't been brought up in this giant thread (I think). Just as you need to protect your hearing, you need to maintain the health of your ears. When you keep putting in the plugs, you're pushing the gunk further back in your head. My audio-oligist recommends baby oil and hydrogen peroxide (not alot, and not at the same time); that nice doctor at the clinic that flushed my ears out only recommended the baby oil. But I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, so ask yours. I think in terms of ear wax I'm more advanced than other people.

I've got the custom molds ones (uh, two pairs of them) and am very comfortable with them at this point, wear them all the time. I get made fun of when I put them in when there isn't a drummer on the gig, and I guess I deserve that.

Another thing that is helpful is to hum whenever you know something loud is going to happen (like when the drummer has eyes on that little tiny cymbal). Try it, it's addictive. There's a muscle in your ear that contracts when you speak/hum so that you don't perceive your voice to be so loud, but some people seem to like the sound of their own voice...
 
#262
Just another "plug" for real hearing protection over mere inserts. I used to work in a factory and we used foam plugs that just muted out everything. When I started being concerned about my hearing in the band i used these same plugs and couldn't stand it and felt like I couldn't hear any detail. So I bought a pair of Heros (they have a little metal cylinder filter) and it changed everything for the better. I'm so much more relaxed because not only am I not being blasted by the drummer but I can hear everything perfectly.

I just ordered a pair of ER20 (and a cd) from Mike Dimin and I"m looking forward to seeing how I like those as well.

Bottom line: you just have to spend a few extra bucks (like $12) to get musician's plugs rather than something you get at the drugstore.
 
#263
blipndub said:
Just another "plug" for real hearing protection over mere inserts. I used to work in a factory and we used foam plugs that just muted out everything. When I started being concerned about my hearing in the band i used these same plugs and couldn't stand it and felt like I couldn't hear any detail. So I bought a pair of Heros (they have a little metal cylinder filter) and it changed everything for the better. I'm so much more relaxed because not only am I not being blasted by the drummer but I can hear everything perfectly.

I just ordered a pair of ER20 (and a cd) from Mike Dimin and I"m looking forward to seeing how I like those as well.

Bottom line: you just have to spend a few extra bucks (like $12) to get musician's plugs rather than something you get at the drugstore.
Click to expand...

Jonathan,
Your order hit my email just now. It will go out either this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning

Mike
 
#264
I use a pair of Doc's ProPlugs (see http://proplugs.com/ for info), and they work pretty well for me. They aren't custom molded, but they do have a sizing guide at the shop to check the size that would suit your ear. I wear them at any rehearsals and gigs with a drummer, as well as bringing them to rock concerts, and they help a lot.

A side benefit of wearing them is that I can usually hear myself singing better.

Can anyone else vouch as to whether these are as good as I think they are?
 
#265
I think that if you go to your local ear doctor at a hospital or clinic or whatever, you can get good earplugs for free. I remember a friend of mine saying something along the lines of "you insurance usually covers it." Thought I'd throw it out there, haven't done it myself yet.
 
#266
I bought a pair of custom molded ear plugs last year and its probobly the best $150.00 I have ever spent. I make a living as a sound engineer and being exposed to high SPL's is a reality, in addition to being in a loud rock band I would be heading for tinitus very soon if I had not spent the dough. Trying to get my buddy who happens to be the singer/guitar player in my band to break down and get some. I can already tell his hearing is damaged, but he wiill be seriously hurting if he does not start protecting his ears, same goes for the drummer. After practice neither of them can hear for sh** and their heads are ringing, but not me I am fine, I could go mix for another 8 hours if I needed to. It amazes me how "serious" people are about making a living as a musician, but they neglect there ears so often. Its a no brainer for me, but to each his own.

Just thought I would share.
 
#267
As long as I've been a member, I never even really noticed or read this thread.

While I've never been in consistant situations, I have been subjected to loud volumes since the tender age of 13 or so, when I started playing and started seeing shows.

Plenty of years jamming in a basement with a loud drummer. Since I started paying attention who knows how many years ago, I've had noticable loss in my right ear. Thankfully I haven't had any freq. loss that I can tell, and some speaker test cd's I've messed with for car audio over the years seem to support that, I can hear the full 20khz (or at least the harmonics it's producing in the speakers). I do have an occasional ringing that comes in for 10 seconds or so for no particular reason, but that is in either ear (only one at a time) and has been doing that as long as I can remember.

I have walked out of too many places with ears ringing than I could even count, concerts, motorsports races, etc.

I also ride a not so quiet modified sportbike and have spent full days on the road at 80+ mph with the wind rushing by my lid. I've often thought of wearing some plugs then, but nothing over the counter is comfortable enough for those extended periods, or are small enough to not shift immeditaly when pulling on a helmet.

I have a pair of plugs that look just like those ER-20's, but I have no idea what they are as I bought them over a year ago and they sat in my bass case as I took time off between gigs, and I hadn't begun using them again until recently when I started this new project, and realized my drummer was just a little too loud. They are in a small round black case that says 'ear' on the top. My guitarist uses a similiar pair at practice. If only we could get the others, especially the cause for our volume, the drummer, to wear some also.

It looks like some custom ones would be the best bet, I had no idea they were so inexpensive. Considering one could assume they'd be a thousand dollars or so, and it was never even thought of as an option. Face it, most over the counter ones are uncomfortable and still don't offer a very flat response.

I know if I had a pair of custom fit ones and they performed as well as everyone claims, I would wear them constantly, and yes even while riding. If I weren't unemployed and selling off half my gear to pay for gas to get to practice, I'd be on my way to the doctor right now. First thing to do once I get back on my feet. Thanks guys. Reading this thread the whole time my ears hurt, I swear, and I kept rubbing them... poor things...

Maybe then I can even convince the singer to try a pair if they work as well as everyone says.

Sorry for the ramble, but I'm sure my experiences are familiar to a lot of others around here.

Troll
 
#268
Hm.

Does anyone with tinnitus at all notice they have difficulty making out cymbals such as closed hi-hats at all when listening to cd's? Or am I just over analyzing the music, or they are difficult to hear in live recordings period, or the mix is a little weak on the cymbals/drums etc?
 
#269
I did a year without earplugs with my rock band, wasnt a smart move, i dont think i have serious tinitus but everytime i finished a gig and went to bed it would be really serious ringing very loud and agitating, now i use them and only get a little ringing (maybe im fitting them wrong? is there many ways of doing this..? ), i use 'pro plug' there soft plastic shaped ones - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

There actually bought more for scuba diving etc, but i got them at a music store, and it says on the back it can be used for shutting out volume.
 
#270
I have a pair of earplugs which are very similar to the Etymotics (or however you spell it). I think they may be the same brand...I bought them about three years ago, and they have the same mushroom cap shape. They seem to work pretty well, though I sometimes have trouble hearing myself sing (though this may be more an issue with the monitor speakers we have).

They definitely work though...my ears never ring after practice, even if we go four or five hours.
 
#272
this is NOT an excuse to not wear earplugs, but it offers some hope for those who, like myself, have already messed up there hearing.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


this research needs funding. if any of you guys have money to spare and have a desire to contribute to a worthy cause or know someone who does, please spread the word that this research is going on. by the way, i came across the link to this article at Link Removed
 
#273
Just thought I'd post another "ear-plugs are good" post. This thread made me think about ear-protection for the first itme since I started playing for bands back in May last year. My ears are constantly ringing during and after gigs and practice, often with an accompanied head-ache. I know I have hearing loss since I was younger and listened to music too loud. It's especially noticeable when I'm trying to talk to women (or a woman that I don't want to miss what she says...).
I got some ET-20's and started wearing them a few weeks ago at every practice and gig. Not only do they turn down volume, not muffle it, but they helped me hear what individuals in the band were playing better. They are just as much of a requirement to my rig as my bass is now. In fact, I got 2 pairs for myself (one for rig, one for pocket).

Get them!
 
#274
I just want you guys to know taht you may be saving my ears. I, as a bassist, have not played any "real gigs" (I've done stuff with a school band and a few church things before.) I'm going to go buy a pair of ear plugs as soon as I can because I feel like if I don't damage my ears I'll be a better player maybe. I'm only 14 and this wisdom is great:) Thank you so much. (I only hope that it doesn't defer my hearing so it muffles things out)
 
#275
intoresting said:
this is NOT an excuse to not wear earplugs, but it offers some hope for those who, like myself, have already messed up there hearing.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


this research needs funding. if any of you guys have money to spare and have a desire to contribute to a worthy cause or know someone who does, please spread the word that this research is going on. by the way, i came across the link to this article at Link Removed
Click to expand...

that is a great article, finally there is some hope for those of us with hearing loss who do not want to go the path of the hearing aid or cochlear implant
 
#276
I'm just starting to hear a noticable degree of tinnitus over the past year. Prior to that, it was very slight, if at all. Never really noticed it.

I've been using the Hearos for the loud situations. They work OK, but I'm curious about the other brands out there. Is there an ear plug that doesn't change the frequencies that your hearing. I've often noticed that the "band mix" sounds different when wearing ear plugs, and it sounds as if some frequencies are more attenuated than others.
 
#277
gfab333 said:
I'm just starting to hear a noticable degree of tinnitus over the past year. Prior to that, it was very slight, if at all. Never really noticed it.

I've been using the Hearos for the loud situations. They work OK, but I'm curious about the other brands out there. Is there an ear plug that doesn't change the frequencies that your hearing. I've often noticed that the "band mix" sounds different when wearing ear plugs, and it sounds as if some frequencies are more attenuated than others.
Click to expand...

The ER's have a pretty flat response. At least one of the Hearos is a branded version of the ER20. I find that what happens, even with the best earplugs, is that sounds below the threshold are cut off. These sounds are often the upper partials, which tend to add a bit of shimmer to the sound. It is the tradeoff we must make to save our hearing.

Note that hearing loss is permanenet (at least for the foreseeable future) and so is tinnitus. I would recommend going to an audiologist and getting a baseline hearing test, then try a few different kind of ready fit plugs, to see which you like best. There is also always the options of the custom fit ones.

Mike
 
#280
It took some time for me to get over how they feel compared to the cheap foam jobs. Having something that far in my ear was extremely uncomfortable for me. It has gotten better though and I'm sure with more time I won't even notice them. If not, I might actually buck up and get the custom molded ones. I have only had the chance to use them at 4 or 5 practices so far. I will say they do work alot better than anything else I have tried. Thanks again!
 

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