I’ve had tinnitus so many years it is my normal and I don’t notice the ring. I also have to wear expensive hearing aids. My grandchildren cup their hands and holler in my ear”Poppi ISAID”. We use in ear monitors in our band and I think they protect my hearing some. We can keep the stage volume to where it still feels good but is not ear splitting loud. I can hear the vocal harmonies and the lead guitar and the front guys acoustic. We each control our own mix. It takes a while to get used to wearing the in ears and it is a bit like wearing a condom but with a stereo monitor mix it is a nice musical experience. You don’t always know what the audience hears so it is always a mixing work in progress.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Boplicity
- Start date
Alright. Just had my bi-annual hearing test. All the ear plugs and switching to IEM’s have really been worth it. I have had a very slight loss of hearing in the 2k-3k area (5dB) which is super minimal. Other than that, my hearing has not changed in over 20 years. Being that I am almost 60 and have been gigging for 45 years, I am pretty lucky. Just for reference, 25dB is normal and my 2k-3k is at 30dB
Anyone here had the filter tip out of the rubber plug?
It happened to me last friday when I tried to put them in my ears.
I accidentally pulled out one of the inner filters and ofcourse it disappeared into thin air right at the beginning of the set.
Without them, the earplugs don't do anything.
I had to do the next 40 minutes with just the rubber plug inside my ear and it was not a nice experience.
Tried to take it out but I couldn't get it to grip because the filter was out and kept on pressing it further in my ear.
I almost forgot what ear pain was like, but this was worse. I was a little worried to say the least.
At last someone with pliers had to take them out because no way I couldn't get it out myself.
I think the rubber degrades over time and the fitment for the inner filter starts to loosen up.
I bought new ones, and no problems.
But If the filter starts to get loose inside the rubber, throw them away and get new ones.
It happened to me last friday when I tried to put them in my ears.
I accidentally pulled out one of the inner filters and ofcourse it disappeared into thin air right at the beginning of the set.
Without them, the earplugs don't do anything.
I had to do the next 40 minutes with just the rubber plug inside my ear and it was not a nice experience.
Tried to take it out but I couldn't get it to grip because the filter was out and kept on pressing it further in my ear.
I almost forgot what ear pain was like, but this was worse. I was a little worried to say the least.
At last someone with pliers had to take them out because no way I couldn't get it out myself.
I think the rubber degrades over time and the fitment for the inner filter starts to loosen up.
I bought new ones, and no problems.
But If the filter starts to get loose inside the rubber, throw them away and get new ones.
My early versions of the skin colored rubber would stiffen & shrink. The last version, bought maybe 10 years ago, the clear rubber has stayed supple and maintained their shape. I have had one filter fall out but I've also inadvertently threw them in the washer a couple of times.Anyone here had the filter tip out of the rubber plug?
It happened to me last friday when I tried to put them in my ears.
I accidentally pulled out one of the inner filters and ofcourse it disappeared into thin air right at the beginning of the set.
Without them, the earplugs don't do anything.
I had to do the next 40 minutes with just the rubber plug inside my ear and it was not a nice experience.
Tried to take it out but I couldn't get it to grip because the filter was out and kept on pressing it further in my ear.
I almost forgot what ear pain was like, but this was worse. I was a little worried to say the least.
At last someone with pliers had to take them out because no way I couldn't get it out myself.
I think the rubber degrades over time and the fitment for the inner filter starts to loosen up.
I bought new ones, and no problems.
But If the filter starts to get loose inside the rubber, throw them away and get new ones.
The clear rubber molds contain an outer lip to hold the filter more securely.Planning on buying new filters and these should last for a long while yet.
Last edited:
The EarPeace plugs I use have the hard plastic filter in them like yours. I did have one come out of my plug once, but I was able to put it back in with no issue. The ear plug sets I get from EarPeace have a container that fits two plugs in one end and one plug in the other. That means I always have a spare in case something happens to one of them.Anyone here had the filter tip out of the rubber plug?
It happened to me last friday when I tried to put them in my ears.
I accidentally pulled out one of the inner filters and ofcourse it disappeared into thin air right at the beginning of the set.
Without them, the earplugs don't do anything.
I had to do the next 40 minutes with just the rubber plug inside my ear and it was not a nice experience.
Tried to take it out but I couldn't get it to grip because the filter was out and kept on pressing it further in my ear.
I almost forgot what ear pain was like, but this was worse. I was a little worried to say the least.
At last someone with pliers had to take them out because no way I couldn't get it out myself.
I think the rubber degrades over time and the fitment for the inner filter starts to loosen up.
I bought new ones, and no problems.
But If the filter starts to get loose inside the rubber, throw them away and get new ones.
Ever since we replaced our drummer, I've had to deal with his slamming on his snare drum!! I've had to wear ear plugs. Helps immensely! Previously I had to go home with ringing in my ears that lasted 24 hours. Now, no ringing at all.
What's the best IEM for monitoring my bass amp on stage?
I have tinnitus and very little hearing in right ear. My left ear still is still pretty good. Playing with a big band with 6 horns, drums, guitar, piano. I'm wearing earplugs adjusted so as to still hear the band and my amp, but cut back on volume. However I need more bass in the good ear, without turning up the amp.
I've experimented with Sony MDR V600 headphones out of my R200's Line Out using a Behringer MicroMon. The 'phones are clumsy and also do not produce the bass tone I hoped for. I'm thinking there may be an IEM tailored for bass range. I'd probably just plug my bad ear and wear an IEM in my good ear. Its purpose would be to lower the volume of the band and allow me to adjust the bass volume in my good ear.
What are you guys liking for an IEM onstage?
-
I have tinnitus and very little hearing in right ear. My left ear still is still pretty good. Playing with a big band with 6 horns, drums, guitar, piano. I'm wearing earplugs adjusted so as to still hear the band and my amp, but cut back on volume. However I need more bass in the good ear, without turning up the amp.
I've experimented with Sony MDR V600 headphones out of my R200's Line Out using a Behringer MicroMon. The 'phones are clumsy and also do not produce the bass tone I hoped for. I'm thinking there may be an IEM tailored for bass range. I'd probably just plug my bad ear and wear an IEM in my good ear. Its purpose would be to lower the volume of the band and allow me to adjust the bass volume in my good ear.
What are you guys liking for an IEM onstage?
-
Do not buy ear plugs. Ear filters (preferably fitted by an audiologist) provides much better protection. Further music sounds much more natural, it’s just quieter.. I’ve been using 25dB cut ear filters for the last ten years.
For bass I have found that custom molded IEMs works the absolute best. Without a great seal I just cant hear the bass frequencies well enough.
I am using a set of custom molded 64 Audio N8s, which were designed with Nathan East. (Got them on sale, 64 Audio has really raised their prices) After trying good IEMs that were NOT molded I found that the seal was just not good enough even with multiple drivers. The molds seal well enough to give about 35dB isolation, so I can set the volume I hear to as low as I want to save what is left of my hearing.
Our hearing is SO important, especially as musicians, and we need to be willing to make an investment to protect our hearing, just like we invest in having quality instruments and gear
I agree that custom tips are the way to go, to both seal out outside noise and to allow you to hear the bass better. I have custom ear tips on both my ear filters and IEMs and it makes a world of difference!
I bought a Behringer MicroMon MA400. It's good enough for my modest requirement, playing moderate-volume electric bass through a Rumble 200 combo in a 7-horn big band. I want only my amp in the headphones, tapping the Rumble's Line Out (XLR.)
But regular OE 'phones on stage won't do, I want in-ear headphones of sufficient fidelity to transmit the bass signal. Don't need or want wireless (always seated), a thin cord w/ 3.5mm plug is fine. Don't need to spend a lot of money, but can't use junk.
Looking at two models: Sennheiser IE 200 and Softears Volume S.
Anyone familiar with either of these?
-
But regular OE 'phones on stage won't do, I want in-ear headphones of sufficient fidelity to transmit the bass signal. Don't need or want wireless (always seated), a thin cord w/ 3.5mm plug is fine. Don't need to spend a lot of money, but can't use junk.
Looking at two models: Sennheiser IE 200 and Softears Volume S.
Anyone familiar with either of these?
-
- Sep 30, 2025
- 10
- 4
- Disclosures
- I'm a singer/songwriter & multi-instrumentalist known online as 'The Mad Pride'. IDK?
Great advice. I have some hearing damage from loud gigs but I'm grateful that it's not much worse. I thought that I'd be able to hear my vocals better without ear plugs and that would make me sing better. But I was wrong. The louder the music got, the less I could hear. Ear plugs would have helped me hear my vocal better and they would have probably helped me sing better too.
Now, if I am in a beer garden or even a pizzaria, the noise from other people's conversations can prevent me hearing enough to understand the topic of conversation. All I can do is attempt to lip read but I've considered using my phone to transcribe the conversation and reading it to keep up.
Ugh, so it seems I've become the smoker who eventually got lung cancer...
I posted about 10 years ago in this thread that I got molded ear plugs because the band I was in at the time was way too loud, especially when the occasional third guitarist sat in, and I noticed the difference that earplugs made. Stupidly, the bands I was in after that were noticeably less loud, so I didn't feel like the volume would affect me and I got lazy. After not wearing them for a lot of years, I found out at my audiologist appointment earlier this week that I have moderate to severe hearing loss at higher frequencies and moderate at midrange frequencies. So now I will be wearing hearing aids. Because I recognized the potential problem and took action to deal with it, but then just got lazy, this is among the stupidest things I've ever done.
So now I definitely WILL be wearing hearing protection whenever I play and I am now looking at IEM's for gigs. Since I also became our sound guy about a year ago after our old guitar player quit, I don't know how easy it will be to wear IEMs while I occasionally walk around to hear the mix out front, but I'm going to have to make it work somehow.
Dumb. Just .... dumb.
I posted about 10 years ago in this thread that I got molded ear plugs because the band I was in at the time was way too loud, especially when the occasional third guitarist sat in, and I noticed the difference that earplugs made. Stupidly, the bands I was in after that were noticeably less loud, so I didn't feel like the volume would affect me and I got lazy. After not wearing them for a lot of years, I found out at my audiologist appointment earlier this week that I have moderate to severe hearing loss at higher frequencies and moderate at midrange frequencies. So now I will be wearing hearing aids. Because I recognized the potential problem and took action to deal with it, but then just got lazy, this is among the stupidest things I've ever done.
So now I definitely WILL be wearing hearing protection whenever I play and I am now looking at IEM's for gigs. Since I also became our sound guy about a year ago after our old guitar player quit, I don't know how easy it will be to wear IEMs while I occasionally walk around to hear the mix out front, but I'm going to have to make it work somehow.
Dumb. Just .... dumb.
Sorry to hear that.Ugh, so it seems I've become the smoker who eventually got lung cancer...
I posted about 10 years ago in this thread that I got molded ear plugs because the band I was in at the time was way too loud, especially when the occasional third guitarist sat in, and I noticed the difference that earplugs made. Stupidly, the bands I was in after that were noticeably less loud, so I didn't feel like the volume would affect me and I got lazy. After not wearing them for a lot of years, I found out at my audiologist appointment earlier this week that I have moderate to severe hearing loss at higher frequencies and moderate at midrange frequencies. So now I will be wearing hearing aids. Because I recognized the potential problem and took action to deal with it, but then just got lazy, this is among the stupidest things I've ever done.
So now I definitely WILL be wearing hearing protection whenever I play and I am now looking at IEM's for gigs. Since I also became our sound guy about a year ago after our old guitar player quit, I don't know how easy it will be to wear IEMs while I occasionally walk around to hear the mix out front, but I'm going to have to make it work somehow.
Dumb. Just .... dumb.
I am also basist and sound guy for my band and use IEMs during the gig. I made sure to make it clear with everyone in band; I can't do both at once. I set the sound before the gig, and once the gig starts - I am basist, my IEM earplugs are in my ears so I can't actively listen PA and make corrections. IMO that is the only realistic way to do it. I tried doing both at same time and just felt stressed and didn't enjoy playing at all.
Bonus is that my ears are protected, if I pop IEM out while band is playing, I always get surprised how loud it is. Properly set IEMs keep your ears safe.
I appreciate the info.
I know I'm going to have a big challenge ahead of me trying to keep the volume and balance consistent after the first set because we often play a quieter first set (an increasingly common request from owners and bar managers around here) and the energy level goes up once we start to rock out in later sets. But I've had little success getting some band members to keep the volume level consistent after the first set and, as you said, it's hard to enjoy playing when you're spending so much energy trying to continue to mix and adjust for the changes the others are making.
I've spoken about that a few times recently and, now that I have my new hearing diagnosis, I asked for a band meeting after our next rehearsal so I can a) encourage the others to do the same (I'm quite sure our guitarist will be in worse shape than me), b) bring up the idea of all of us switching to IEMs (I know I'll get push back, both because of the expense and because a couple of my bandmates are even older school than I am), and c) remind them that my enjoyment level goes down when I feel like I'm always working to adjust the sound rather than just being present and being in the music, which isn't fair to me.
Hope you get others onboard. IME it's one or two main band member that need to jump in, the rest will follow. My band was half way in and stuck when I got there. I just anounced there will be no monitors on the next gig and I'm there for every help. We had couple of rehearsals with IEM only, once everyone grasped how to set personal mix, protests died out. Interesting thing, possible hearing damage was one loud argument against IEM, until they understood IEM earphones are noise isolator and you don't have to run them loud. Once whole band uses IEM, it's just one step to running ampless, and that's when band is truly efficient and sound setup gets easier.
I guess what I'm saying, you have a battle in front of you (guitar players are worst), but be persistent and don't let them back up.
I haven't had a chance to read every post in this thread yet but just sharing my initial impression of the new plugs I have. As many here know, Phonak is a maker of high-quality hearing aids, but they also have a line of universal fit ear plug. The ones I have are called Music Serenity Choice. They come with 3 sizes of triple flange "tips" and one set of filters that can be move between the tips. My initial impression is very positive. To my damaged ears they sound like the master volume on the world has been turned down. Everything sounds the same, just not so loud. Having used Hearos High Fidelity plugs at concerts and on gigs, these Phonaks are a revelation.
At a bit under $50, they're still on the cheap side, especially when compared to customs. The downside is that they are only -10 dB, but that was just what I was looking for, plugs to take the edge off, but still let me feel some of the energy of the music. On gigs I'd end up wearing my Hearos loosely inserted to help retain some of the high frequencies that help me clearly hear the notes I'm playing. I don't expect to need to do that with these new ones. I haven't used the Phonaks on a gig or at a practice yet, but I'm really looking forward to it!
I'll still wear my custom IEMs on my main gig where the infrastructure exists to give everyone a custom IEM mix. To my mind that is still the best solution, but they're not always an option.
At a bit under $50, they're still on the cheap side, especially when compared to customs. The downside is that they are only -10 dB, but that was just what I was looking for, plugs to take the edge off, but still let me feel some of the energy of the music. On gigs I'd end up wearing my Hearos loosely inserted to help retain some of the high frequencies that help me clearly hear the notes I'm playing. I don't expect to need to do that with these new ones. I haven't used the Phonaks on a gig or at a practice yet, but I'm really looking forward to it!
I'll still wear my custom IEMs on my main gig where the infrastructure exists to give everyone a custom IEM mix. To my mind that is still the best solution, but they're not always an option.
