The foam ones really leave a lot to be desired, as far as frequency response goes. You don't absolutely NEED to get custom-fitted plugs, but I'd shoot for some silicone multi-flanged ones designed for musicians at the very least. They're reusable and washable, and you can get a decent pair for less than 20 bucks. I'm a big fan of the Hearos Hi-Fi and Etymotic ER-20 models.
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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Boplicity
- Start date
The foam ones really leave a lot to be desired, as far as frequency response goes. You don't absolutely NEED to get custom-fitted plugs, but I'd shoot for some silicone multi-flanged ones designed for musicians at the very least. They're reusable and washable, and you can get a decent pair for less than 20 bucks. I'm a big fan of the Hearos Hi-Fi and Etymotic ER-20 models.
Bottom line is anything is better than nothing. Foam plugs aren't the best choice, but they're a hell of a lot better than nothing at all.
I think I have tinnitus. I've been playing phone tag with my doctor today who is calling to discuss the results of my visit to the audiologist. I have that constant high-pitched, yet faint ringing in my left ear. It's sucks, but I think playing bass brought it on. I played drums for about 7 years as a teenager (age 12-19) and I didn't play any instrument until I picked up bass last year (some 12 years later). I often play with headphones and this may be what pushed my ear over the edge. Also worth mentioning, if you drive a lot, turn down your stereo! I'm sure that's had something to do with my problem as well. Take it seriously kids!
i use ear plugs now i have a little ringing in my ears from when i dident use them but i only notice it evrey now and again
I have been playing music all of my life and now have tinnitus. It is hard to describe to someone who doesn't have it what it is like. There is ringing in my ears all of the time. My left is worse than my right. Last year i went to an audioloist and spent the 150 bucks for custom plugs. I got 15 and 25db filters and I wish someone had warned me years ago. I wear them even when I go to see other bands. When I broach the subjects with other (especially younger) musicians, they blow me off like I probably would have when I was young and knew everything. Do yourself a favor and make earplugs part of your rig. You'll thank yourself when you're older.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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A continuing point of arguments in our practicing basement was the volume of the lead guitar. The drummer and I (bass) always tried to
keep this at a level that was near shouting. If the lead guitarist had his way, his guitar was the only thing that was really heard.
The drummer used to break filters off his cigarettes to put them in his ears, at times I referred to a Fisher Z album title "going deaf for a living".
The first symptoms of hearing loss made the guitarist realize that his kicks would lead to a silent surrounding. That helped a little.
In the end, not enough to avoid childish quarrels that became a major reason to quit the band.
(Ear ring and buzz for several days from The Swans, Sonic Youth & Mudhoney live)
keep this at a level that was near shouting. If the lead guitarist had his way, his guitar was the only thing that was really heard.
The drummer used to break filters off his cigarettes to put them in his ears, at times I referred to a Fisher Z album title "going deaf for a living".
The first symptoms of hearing loss made the guitarist realize that his kicks would lead to a silent surrounding. That helped a little.
In the end, not enough to avoid childish quarrels that became a major reason to quit the band.
(Ear ring and buzz for several days from The Swans, Sonic Youth & Mudhoney live)
Hearing protection is very important. I would like to point out that the car stereos that these young kids are puting in their vehicles will cause hearing loss if played loud like a lot of young kids do. I have one in my car, but never turn it up past a comfortable listening level when driving and if I crank it up loud I always wear hearing protection or I am standing outside of the car. I'm a big music lover and cannot afford to lose my hearing. I can still hear to just above 16 KHz so I haven't lost much hearing if any.
I have always thought rehearsal studio's should be regulated to install systems that automatically measure how loud your band is rehearsing at and display that in decibels on an big LED screen. It might not be possible and db's might not be the best measure but that's not the point. Education at the 'coal face' is far more important.
perhaps a limiter should be placed in every room and the power cuts to the PA should levels be excessive for a set period of time during the rehearsal. Let the law makers work out the details.
My local studio bans any band should one or more of it's members ever get caught mic'ing there amps thru the PA. There is a list of band names and muso's on the wall who have been caught out so far.
I play with a guitarist who believes that you can not be a try rock star with ear plugs. This is a guy who denies he has hearing problems but complains that he can't hear his vocal at rehearsals. This is a guy who has been told to turn his amp down on stage by every professional sound tech we have ever used. And yet, this guy still thinks everyone is wrong. I've seen him get visably upset and abusive when it has been suggested he has a hearing problem. If only his partner was not the best good damn agent in the country.
perhaps a limiter should be placed in every room and the power cuts to the PA should levels be excessive for a set period of time during the rehearsal. Let the law makers work out the details.
My local studio bans any band should one or more of it's members ever get caught mic'ing there amps thru the PA. There is a list of band names and muso's on the wall who have been caught out so far.
I play with a guitarist who believes that you can not be a try rock star with ear plugs. This is a guy who denies he has hearing problems but complains that he can't hear his vocal at rehearsals. This is a guy who has been told to turn his amp down on stage by every professional sound tech we have ever used. And yet, this guy still thinks everyone is wrong. I've seen him get visably upset and abusive when it has been suggested he has a hearing problem. If only his partner was not the best good damn agent in the country.
Nice thread... as a young musician (24 years old) and considering the fact that I made my ears ring for hours after some practices, I will definatly check out for some custom fit ear plugs.
I just bought a pair of westone custom fit musicians earplugs they cost $150 including the doctor visit. They currently have 15db filters and also came with complete blocks and you can buy additional filters (9db and 25 db) for $50. I will not play without them!! I have been playing for 17 yrs and I do have mild tinnitus so I would prefer to not do any more damage. As for performance and clarity these things are amazing, you can hear everything the highs, mids and low end are all there only quieter by 15db. As for the price I believe that my hearing is priceless so when these wear out I will gladly pay another $150 and be smiling when i'm 60 years and can still hear! So if you value your hearing pony up and get a pair or buy hearing aides when you get older!!
I've posted this in another topic http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7573898#post7573898 , but was directed to here in one of the posts, I guess this is the active post I should have just stuck with here in the first place.
Anyways, I have a low grade form of tinnitus, hear it only when it is quiet, but for the first 10 days or so after a bad experience it was quite a bit louder. and what really helped me was to go to yoga, as you can get a kind of yoga buzz in your head afterwards. lasts around 8 hours. the yoga buzz kind of melds into the tinnitus, and seems to make it a bit better - at least for me. I just wanted to share this info, in case someone else wanted to try it and see for themselves. I am obviously very leery of giving anyone false hopes, and make no claims that it would help anyone, but if you have tinnitus you don't have anything to lose by trying it. I am doing the Bikrams Yoga and that can give me the yoga buzz... not sure of other yogas (it is what they call hot yoga), and it seems to work almost like the noise therapy for tinnitus - which is the introduction of a low grade sound that melds with the tinnitus to help get your brain to stop listening to it... the yoga buzz seems to be almost the same thing except 100% natural, it's just exercise (plus the yoga buzz is also in your head, so kind of weird, just like tinnitus)...
Don't get me wrong, I'm no yoga wacko or anything like that, but it does seem to help - at least for me. you've got to deal with a lot of yoga wackos if you start going to yoga, but i don't really care anymore as I seem to get some positives beyond that level of sales/yoga bullshti. if you try it and have positive or negative results please let me know so I can either stop suggesting it to others or indicate that more than I have had good results (I don't know anyone else with tinnitus, other than some tbers and I can't really say I know them that well). Again, please, I'm really not trying to give anyone false hopes, this is entirely anectodal and may not work for you I have no idea. And anyways, it is certainly not a cure but only a coping mechanism.
cheers
meta
Anyways, I have a low grade form of tinnitus, hear it only when it is quiet, but for the first 10 days or so after a bad experience it was quite a bit louder. and what really helped me was to go to yoga, as you can get a kind of yoga buzz in your head afterwards. lasts around 8 hours. the yoga buzz kind of melds into the tinnitus, and seems to make it a bit better - at least for me. I just wanted to share this info, in case someone else wanted to try it and see for themselves. I am obviously very leery of giving anyone false hopes, and make no claims that it would help anyone, but if you have tinnitus you don't have anything to lose by trying it. I am doing the Bikrams Yoga and that can give me the yoga buzz... not sure of other yogas (it is what they call hot yoga), and it seems to work almost like the noise therapy for tinnitus - which is the introduction of a low grade sound that melds with the tinnitus to help get your brain to stop listening to it... the yoga buzz seems to be almost the same thing except 100% natural, it's just exercise (plus the yoga buzz is also in your head, so kind of weird, just like tinnitus)...
Don't get me wrong, I'm no yoga wacko or anything like that, but it does seem to help - at least for me. you've got to deal with a lot of yoga wackos if you start going to yoga, but i don't really care anymore as I seem to get some positives beyond that level of sales/yoga bullshti. if you try it and have positive or negative results please let me know so I can either stop suggesting it to others or indicate that more than I have had good results (I don't know anyone else with tinnitus, other than some tbers and I can't really say I know them that well). Again, please, I'm really not trying to give anyone false hopes, this is entirely anectodal and may not work for you I have no idea. And anyways, it is certainly not a cure but only a coping mechanism.
cheers
meta
gbarcus
Commercial User
- Jul 20, 2008
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If you live in the Twin Cities, there is an easy way to get a set for about $130.
Link Removed
There is a kiosk in the Mall of America that will set you up.
It's kind of weird having someone fill your ears with goo in the middle of a mall...but well worth it. They do a pretty good job of keeping the frequency flat while reducing the sound levels.
Link Removed
There is a kiosk in the Mall of America that will set you up.
It's kind of weird having someone fill your ears with goo in the middle of a mall...but well worth it. They do a pretty good job of keeping the frequency flat while reducing the sound levels.
I work in a warehouse for a major shipping company, so we're provided free earplugs at work that (apparently) cut noise levels by 35db. They're only foam and they don't blend (pink and yellow, ugh), but the noise reduction is amazing.
I probably lose a bit of sound quality, but the guys I play with turn up loud enough that it doesn't matter terribly much.
I probably lose a bit of sound quality, but the guys I play with turn up loud enough that it doesn't matter terribly much.
I have 2 sets of earplugs. I bought a pair of the baby blue ER-20, and I have a set of the flesh colored foam Hearos.
I like how the ER-20s are hard to see when in, but the problem is I have built up ear wax, so the right one doesn't go in as far as I want it to. Also my band is louder so they don't really block as much as I'd like.
The hearos are a little bit easier to see, but they're SO much more comfortable because the soft foam molds to your ear. Plus even though you might not hear similar frequencies to when playing without them, they drop down the noise considerably and makes it easier to hear vocals.
I like how the ER-20s are hard to see when in, but the problem is I have built up ear wax, so the right one doesn't go in as far as I want it to. Also my band is louder so they don't really block as much as I'd like.
The hearos are a little bit easier to see, but they're SO much more comfortable because the soft foam molds to your ear. Plus even though you might not hear similar frequencies to when playing without them, they drop down the noise considerably and makes it easier to hear vocals.
I got some custom plugs fitted for around $180 at my local audiology shop. The price includes two filters, one 15 and the other 25, I think. Haven't regretted the extra expense, but bear in mind it's the FILTERS that are so expensive. For the set I've mentioned, it would cost at least half the price to replace the 15s--and anyone who's changed filters knows how easy it might be to lose these. They're very tiny. Our band recently switched over to in-ear monitors, and these also help with stage volume. Not that this is a cure-all (there certainly are dangers associated with using IEMs that aren't properly configured with limiters, etc.), but you're going to be better off not having a wedge speaker blowing in your face all night. You'll get better FOH mix, too, with less stage volume.
For ear wax, pour hydrogen peroxide in your ear. It'll foam & bubble for a long time - after 10 minutes or so let it drain out. It'll loosen up the wax & it'll come out with the consistency of peanut butter within a couple of days. (note: don't do this just before a job interview, big date, or gig)
I used to have major wax problems, I use a Q-tip (stick it into the ear & rotate it around the edge). I always thought you shouldn't put the q-tip in your ear, but then my doctor told me too (after scraping an insane amount of wax out of my ears) and I haven't had much of a problem with it since. If I do, I use a bit of hydrogen peroxide.
I am not a doctor, do see a doctor before putting H2O2, Q-Tips or anything else into your ears.
are these the "er" brand? if not, what are they? are they good?
Thanks for the moa update!
Call a audiologist in your area. They are can provide you with custom made plugs. Mine are made by Westone. (www.westone.com) I have been using the 25dB plugs for over 10 years. A great investment unless you loose one.
