When "just" running sound I always put them in when the drummer starts to set up but usually take them out to mix except for the rare "stoopid loud" band that I might get talked into providing for.
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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Boplicity
- Start date
All this talk about hearing loss is true! I've damaged my ears so bad that I have to use hearing aids. Wear ear plugs and save your ears.
I am telling my band that we have to play 20% lower volume, period. If we can't do that then they can find themselves another bass player and practice place. We all get along good but it annoys the crap out of me that we play too loud (hard to discern the actual notes of the bass when that loud).
I may be one of the few who have gone through a 100% hearing loss but gradually got it all back. In the summer of 2012 I woke up one morning with nothing - total hearing loss. No ringing - nothing. I have to tell you it was scarry. I had some sound equipment in my practice room and put on headphones. Nothing. So I did a lot of online research and ended up driving to Alabama to a highly rated ENT office. The doctor had my hearing checked and said my loss was 100% left and 90% right. His first advice was to begin on steriods immediately - within the hour. I got a prescription where you take a big dose on day one, with a slightly smaller dose each day after that. On day four I woke up to about 30% in each ear. I would have been satisfied with that but each day I got more back. After about 10 days I went for a re-check. I had 100% in both ears. I've written all of this to say: I know what life would be like if I were totally deaf. My days as a musician would be over. I would not be able to hear my wife talking to me, or hear ME talking. It's bad guys. You don't want it to happen to you. Follow the advice here and use some type of hearing protection. I do NOW.
I just made an appointment for next week to have a hearing test and to get fitted for molded ear plugs. Good timing finding this thread now. It will take a while to get through all 41 pages, but it looks like you guys have posted a lot of good experiences for me to read about before then.
You can't tell young people anything because they won't listen. When I was in my 30s, musicians twice my age would tell me I should wear ear protection. The old guys said I would be sorry if I didn't take their advice. They were right. Now I'm their age and cant hear crap! I wear monster hearing aids at $4500 a pair! Without them I can't hear birds, rain, the telephone ring, the door bell, the TV etc. Take care of your ears or you'll be sorry.
I also use have been using the Earasers ( foam plugs previous to that ), In my youth I did listen to loud music a lot ( front row at many concerts, ringing ears afterwards ). As an Engineer working on embedded controllers a few years back, I noticed I could not hear some of the beeping while developing/testing the systems... well OK my coworkers actually came into my office telling me the bloody thing has been beeping for like an hour... I could not hear it... off to audiologist I went and have hearing loss in both ears, worse in one ear..... No tinnitus, ...maybe I can't hear it
Our band really is not to loud but the drummer has no volume switch, even if you think you are not loud drums are really pretty loud even if used lightly, distance is your friend in that case.Typically on stage its hard to get a good quality mix even using floor monitors, so I am considering IEMS to help clarity and possibly save the rest of my hearing, I'm in my mid/early fifties, and trust you me, its no fun going to a restaurant, or any place with some medium or even low amount of background noise and not being able to hear things, continuously saying "what?" gets old for everybody! Get hearing protection, turn down the volume, and don't stand near the drummer ( I usually have no choice on that given the stage size ).
I may need hearing aids soon if I am not careful.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I'm not sure who you were referring to on the turn it down, but yes, that's always a good idea ( but maybe not as easy as that simple statement implies ).
In my case the band I am with really is not that loud ( except the drums, even quiet drummers are loud ). Mostly its been an cumulative assault on my ears for many years, which is also the case for many posting here I suspect ( especially if you are not "young" anymore )
In actuality ( for me ) , it may have been attending/watching concerts, listening to car radios while cruising on the highway with the windows open, working in raised floor loud computer server rooms ect.... had I "just" used hearing protection in the late 70's at those concerts ( and not at other times ) I suspect my hearing would be much better today. But now when I practice I occasionally turn the volume up louder my self to compensate , further reducing my hearing somewhat ( I bet others here do that also "after" the original damage has been done, a secondary cause of further continuous hearing damage ), I am not talking huge levels, but its enough to make my kid tell me to turn it down once in a while.
But the statement of wearing hearing protection makes more sense then just saying turn it down, this way "you" are in control of the situation, not the sound guy, not the drummer, not the guitarist trying to compete with the drummer and the sound guy.
So yes turn it down by all means, but please consider hearing protection as a required component of any musicians kit because your probably not in complete control of the situation, and the sound probably is louder than it needs to be.
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Certainly if you ears are damaged, then you should be using protection anytime volumes go above a conversation volume (or whatever your doctor recommends).
But in general, I don't understand the problems with bands playing too loud. I've been playing in bands for about 30 years. Right now I play three - jazz, classic rock (two guitars), and modern country (guitar and multi instrumentalist). I don't need ear plugs (although I have them in every bass case).
In general, the volume on stage should not be so loud that you can't speak to each other during a tune - look at videos of bands like the Stones when playing massive arenas - that's how it is for them.
Two things that just about every good band has - strong vocals and volume control.
But in general, I don't understand the problems with bands playing too loud. I've been playing in bands for about 30 years. Right now I play three - jazz, classic rock (two guitars), and modern country (guitar and multi instrumentalist). I don't need ear plugs (although I have them in every bass case).
In general, the volume on stage should not be so loud that you can't speak to each other during a tune - look at videos of bands like the Stones when playing massive arenas - that's how it is for them.
Two things that just about every good band has - strong vocals and volume control.
I think the main issue to volume control ( on stage ) lies with how much control you have on the sound guy, and how close you are to the drummer. I've been at a few places where unfortunately both of those combined can lead to higher than desired SPL.
Using hearing protection after your ears are damaged is, well, "after your ears are damaged". I'd consider you are pretty lucky if you have always had complete control over the sound level, or were never standing right next to the drummer, that alone I am almost sure will damage your hearing over any appreciable time. I still vote for pro-active hearing protection unless you are always in a coffee house type environment, where even the audience can talk to each other at normal levels ( which is highly desirable, but rare in many club venues ). I also think there is some genetics involved as some folk may be more susceptible to hearing loss than others given the same input stimuli... Something to consider... If your folks or their parents seemed hard of hearing, I bet your genes will be similar, from what your saying your either pretty lucky to have had consistent control over the years or your hearing genes are more robust.
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I've been pretty lucky, and most of the drummers I've played with the last decade or so (same drummer in the present three bands) are not Neanderthals. I'm not a !@#$~@ about much, but playing too loud is one of them.
I would say that Buldog is in a rare breed of having the rest of the band respect volume control. As for me, no
matter how many times I request a volume level that supports, instead of drowns out, the vocalist, it's a struggle to keep it down. I made a handy and effective in ear monitor kit for less than $500 and I am religious about putting them in for practice and gigs. Now everybody is happy.
matter how many times I request a volume level that supports, instead of drowns out, the vocalist, it's a struggle to keep it down. I made a handy and effective in ear monitor kit for less than $500 and I am religious about putting them in for practice and gigs. Now everybody is happy.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I heard two really strong cover bands playing at different times from a stage above the bar at a huge casino this weekend. (No gambling for me, a reunion took place there.) Overall volume was strikingly moderate. You could hear every note perfectly. They were direct to FOH and used in-ears. E-drums, not !$@&!! drums. Obviously they could hear themselves just fine because they sounded fantastic. Vocal harmonies were perfect. Folks, there is hope.
Yah, good luck finding guitards willing to go ampless AND a drummer willing to play eDrumsI heard two really strong cover bands playing at different times from a stage above the bar at a huge casino this weekend. (No gambling for me, a reunion took place there.) Overall volume was strikingly moderate. You could hear every note perfectly. They were direct to FOH and used in-ears. E-drums, not !$@&!! drums. Obviously they could hear themselves just fine because they sounded fantastic. Vocal harmonies were perfect. Folks, there is hope.
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CosmicRay
Supporting Member
My band was on a little break so our rehearsal last night was my first chance to use the molded ear plugs. What a huge difference. Our volume isn't excessive and the 9 dB filters did the job, though I'd probably go with the 15's for playing out. Not sure I'd use the 25's very often but I have them if I need them.
I can't see playing without them again.
