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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Boplicity
- Start date
I'm good for spares, thxI'd never risk going without by not having a spare pair on me.
I'd like to inform folks about a Bose product that was recently introduced. BOSE HEARPHONES. Not hearing aids, but certainly an aid to hearing. Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones that come with directional microphones. I've been using them, mainly in the classroom and when I go out, and so far they've been very helpful. You can control them with a cellphone app. Certainly worth checking out if you've lost some hearing and have tinnitus, as I do.
are you using them for music/playing? if you are: what are some advantages vs. the 'ear plug' types? thanks, jim
I've tried them for playing. I didn't find them useful on a rock gig, really, and the sound was unnatural, although I tried it only once. On a quieter gig, they worked fine. Their chief advantage is that you can go from a 360 degree setting, to a 180 degree setting to a a focused setting with the directional microphones, adjust the volume (and with your phone the amount of bass/treble). This, along with the mic placement right over your ears, is much better and more flexible than the back-of-the-ear hearing aids I inherited from my sister.
i keep looking for one-device-does-it-all approach to both saving my hearing (what's left of it!) and acoustic 'shaping' to zero in (old guy stuff!).
thanks for the 'review' --- i appreciate the feedback.
Used earplugs for the past 10 years thanks to the guy next to me. Spent $1200 on an IEM system recently and it drops the level down 25 dB PLUS I get to hear thing perfectly.
For non-IEM show, I'm looking at these:
Invalid Link Removed
Use these for firearm practice/hunting and they work, haven't tried them for music. Drops outside noise by 30 dB.
Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro Sound Amplification Electronic Earmuff (R-01902) - Hunting Earmuffs - Amazon.com
For non-IEM show, I'm looking at these:
Invalid Link Removed
Use these for firearm practice/hunting and they work, haven't tried them for music. Drops outside noise by 30 dB.
Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro Sound Amplification Electronic Earmuff (R-01902) - Hunting Earmuffs - Amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I'll even take a pair to the movies with me in addition to concerts and clubs as the sound effects and loud music are pretty loud with the systems they have these days. I wish I'd started using them sooner and have only gotten serious about wearing them the past five years or so and have tinnitus with the notched hearing loss about 2500 hz. The plugs help keep it from getting worse and I like very much the Westone TRU 25db plugs that I got from sweetwater that have the universal fit. Use the size that gives the best seal and most people are surprised that their ear canals are smaller than they think. I also have a bunch of Earasers ear plugs and they have a great fit along with ear wax inserts you can get that will extend their life. I have a set in all my bass gigbags and try to keep a set in the car and one on the keychain if possible. The worst is to need some and not have them. Both Earasers and Westone have 25 db reduction available and Westone is one of the big manufacturers of the custom molded plugs as well. My drummer accidentally lost a pair of the custom ones he had and is out 250 bucks so be careful with those! I'm doing well with the 25db TRU and the Earasers and don't want to make my tinnitus any louder or lose any more hearing as others have mentioned. With the TRU and Westone, I can push the seal tighter when louder and relax them a little when its not as loud. Seems to work pretty good.
I started using these:
Unfortunately, the tab for removing them got inserted against the cartilage of my ear, by my mistake. It was a pretty tricky and uncomfortable removal, with nothing to easily grasp. I'm pretty sure I irritated the inner workings of my ear in the process. Be careful out there. Don't be sloppy, like I was.
I've had that happen with earplugs even without that tab. It's a PITA.
Yep, I've started using Isolates but not in band yet. They arrived just before we had a bit of time off so I'll let you know as soon we get back together and have our first jam. I use them in a busy workshop in which I have to talk to a lot (some would say choose to talk a lot) and the worst excesses of the volume are gone, for the most part I hear what I would hear without them but at a lower level so I find them excellent in that context. Voices are certainly much cleared than they are with either my "musicians" earplugs (forgotten the brand) and a world clearer than the foam type earplugs (which I have used in band with limited success but wear religiously when working alone with angle grinders and general fabrication banging or doing the garden etc). The Isolates are really easy to put in and take out and really convenient but don't let them get wet!Plus they cost a bomb but what price do you put on your hearing?
Question for all you learned types out there regarding noise cancelling earphones/plugs?earbuds etc. Given that the speakers actually push out sound pressure levels equal and opposite to that outside the headphones, even if you can't hear the sound because its cancelled out, is there still sound pressure damaging your ears?
Just read through the first few pages of this thread. Great Advice.
I personally had a scary experience just this past friday night. We played a gig there were 3 bands on. It was a small venue so nowhere really for the sound to go just it was just bouncing off the walls and back at you. First band were loud (it was a metal gig tells you all you need to know). But after didn't feel too bad then we played, afterwards my ears were starting to feel it. Then the final band went on and jesus christ they were only a 3 piece but the guitarist was WAYYY too loud soundguy tried to mime to them to turn down but they either didn't understand or just ignored him. I could feel my ear drums vibrating throughout. In hindsight I should have left but felt I had to stay through manners really show some support.
Anyway when I got home my ears were ringing like hell. I try to wind down after a gig by just watching some TV but I could barely hear it. The ringing was so bad I've never experienced it like that before I was genuinely frightened. Anyway it had dyed down but obviously some damage has been done. Needless to say I have been out and bought some ear plugs. I can't bare the thought of living with that for the rest of my life.
PS Sorry for the long post once I started couldn't stop.
I personally had a scary experience just this past friday night. We played a gig there were 3 bands on. It was a small venue so nowhere really for the sound to go just it was just bouncing off the walls and back at you. First band were loud (it was a metal gig tells you all you need to know). But after didn't feel too bad then we played, afterwards my ears were starting to feel it. Then the final band went on and jesus christ they were only a 3 piece but the guitarist was WAYYY too loud soundguy tried to mime to them to turn down but they either didn't understand or just ignored him. I could feel my ear drums vibrating throughout. In hindsight I should have left but felt I had to stay through manners really show some support.
Anyway when I got home my ears were ringing like hell. I try to wind down after a gig by just watching some TV but I could barely hear it. The ringing was so bad I've never experienced it like that before I was genuinely frightened. Anyway it had dyed down but obviously some damage has been done. Needless to say I have been out and bought some ear plugs. I can't bare the thought of living with that for the rest of my life.
PS Sorry for the long post once I started couldn't stop.
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I have ear plugs in every bass case, as well as the backpack that carries my head and cords. Support is one thing - supporting stupidity is another.
Recently had a hearing test. The administrator said my hearing was normal. Still considering following up with the doctor about my tinnitus, which is usually pretty mild, but the intensity does fluctuate.
Quite correct. Originally there were four bands booked. Thank goodness one dropped out. Anyway best advice has been said in this thread already 500 times but it is worth repeating again. Don't put it off wearing earplugs look after your future hearing now.
Manners schmanners! Your hearing knows not from manners.
I also used to play in a very loud metal band where I learned to use ear plugs and even learned to direct my ears in certain directions to avoid the very loud and really uncomfortable sound waves. Thankfully I do not really experience any similar discomfort when playing with my current alternative rock/pop band because we are not that loud. My question is: Should I still consider using ear plugs? Is it OK if I do not use ear plugs especially since we are rehearsing for only about 2-3 hours a week?
Hi riccalioliojr welcome to TB.
I think the general advice is yes I think you should really wear ear plugs. I think someone said earlier in this thread hearing damage isn't something that happens overnight it hacks away bit by bit overtime and once the damage has been done there's no going back. Obviously I've never sat in on any of your rehearsals so as far as I know maybe you rehearse at sensible levels and may not need ear plugs but as the old saying goes its better to be safe than sorry. Just my opinion anyway.
