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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs

#141
Originally posted by Schwinn
The best way to use ear plugs is to put them in right away. That is, right when you enter the club or right after a soundcheck (if you playing).
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I'd say wear them during soundcheck too, no point in taking the time to set up a nice monitor mix when you're going to be hearing something different during the actual show.

Either way, I wear mine 99.5% of the time when I'm playing and almost always when I'm seeing a show as well. I'm so used to them after the first week or two that things sound better with them in.
 
#143
In theory, the custom mold ones are best for vocals because they provide a complete seal that means you don't get that singing underwater feeling.

If you're just looking for being able to hear flat response through the monitors I would think customs or the ER-20s would both work fine.
 
#144
in my band we must use earplugs because our drummer beats so hard that we must keep a very high volume in our rehearsal room... the problem goes away when we play on a stage but we can't rehearsal without earplugs... our drummer just started using them because he has a permenent ringing in his ears because of his hard playing...
 
#145
I just came back from playing a LOUD gig tonight.. and my ears are ringing. I'm really mad at myself:mad: Well, I don't really have the cash to be forking over 150 dollars or so, so what would you fine people at talkbass recommend for me? I don't want to spend too much, but I want something that will sound good and protect my hearing.

Also, I've become very paranoid about loud noises after reading this thread and thinking about hearing loss. I'm only 16 but do you think permanent damage could have been done? I mean, I'm going to start wearing earplugs from now on, so I suppose it's not worth worrying about because whatever damage that was done has been done already... I'm just extremely paranoid.
 
#146
Originally posted by fleabass89
I just came back from playing a LOUD gig tonight.. and my ears are ringing. I'm really mad at myself:mad: Well, I don't really have the cash to be forking over 150 dollars or so, so what would you fine people at talkbass recommend for me? I don't want to spend too much, but I want something that will sound good and protect my hearing.

Also, I've become very paranoid about loud noises after reading this thread and thinking about hearing loss. I'm only 16 but do you think permanent damage could have been done? I mean, I'm going to start wearing earplugs from now on, so I suppose it's not worth worrying about because whatever damage that was done has been done already... I'm just extremely paranoid.
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As my wife the audiologist says, "If it's still ringing in 24 hours, it might just be permanent"

There have been a number of posts stating the great $12.00 earplugs, The ER-20. You can get them here:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mike
 
#148
Originally posted by embellisher
I second Mike's recommendation. I have a set of those that I bought from him. Best low priced plugs on the market. The only way to do better is to get the $150 custom fitted plugs.

Mike, don't the ER-20's have the same 'capsule' or element as the fitted plugs?
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Jeff,
They are not the same, but they are designed by the same person, Meade Killian

Mike
 
#152
Wow what a totally great discussion (so far)...has anyone gone further into the science side of hearing loss?...

I mean, there must be some other steps other than living in a world of total silence for keeping your ears in shape...we have excercises for just about every other part of the body, what about the ears. We now have laser surgery for eyes which is mind boggling to me, plastic surgery can make YOU look like ME (and vice versa). But what about the ears...I used earplugs once, and (IMO) it was like eating with a condom on my tongue, but on the same token, I do not have any hearing loss what-so-ever today (36). I have played in loud bands just like most of us, and I'm still the one that notices the little pings that make others say "how the hell did you hear that".

Am I doing something right....or just lucky?

There must be more research than just earplugs. Post if you know of any.

Introvox
www.divashow.ca
 
#153
Originally posted by Introvox
Wow what a totally great discussion (so far)...has anyone gone further into the science side of hearing loss?...

I mean, there must be some other steps other than living in a world of total silence for keeping your ears in shape...we have excercises for just about every other part of the body, what about the ears. We now have laser surgery for eyes which is mind boggling to me, plastic surgery can make YOU look like ME (and vice versa). But what about the ears...I used earplugs once, and (IMO) it was like eating with a condom on my tongue, but on the same token, I do not have any hearing loss what-so-ever today (36). I have played in loud bands just like most of us, and I'm still the one that notices the little pings that make others say "how the hell did you hear that".

Am I doing something right....or just lucky?

There must be more research than just earplugs. Post if you know of any.

Introvox
www.divashow.ca
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There is lots of research into hearing and the preservation of one's hearing. My wife is the head of the audiology department of a major hospital so I am a bit tied into the whole thing.

Damage to the hearing caused my loud sounds is nerve damage. Nerve damage is irreversable. It just doesn't heal. Laser surgery on the eyes will correct certain deficiencies, but will not, unfortunately, cure blindness. The ear and the mechanisms that create hearing are extremely complicated. Since hearing is not usually a cosmetic issue (ie: wearing glasses vs. contacts or laser surgery), there is not the same R&D into the concept of laser surgery, nerve regeneration, etc.

There are however, many researching smaller and less obtrusive, programmable digital hearing aids to help those that have lost their hearing. For some that are deaf, there is a Cochlear Implant.

But the only way to save the hearing that you have is through preservation and protection. You state that you once tried earplugs, perhaps you should try a different kind. Not all are the same. All, however, are a compromise. But, then again, losing your hearing is far worse

Mike
 
#154
I think I've seen the light on this. I never wore plugs, EVER, but for the past week and a half I've had this really bad cold where my ears have become plugged up and I"m almost completely deaf. The doc says it'll clear up in a week or so and I'll be good as new. But I hate this and I don't ever want to lose my hearing, so plugs for me from now on!
 
#155
I have really sensitive ears. Like, when someone shuts the car door and I'm in the car, I grip my ears in pain. My friends all look at me like I'm crazy. So, I might get some custom-fitted ones, but they seem pretty expensive.
 
#156
I have been having an issue lately with our drummer, because I believe he is playing way too hard for the situations we are in and driving up the volume of the band and driving out bar patrons. To get my point accross I am going to buy a DB meter from radio shack for our upcoming show this friday.

The club is a small room, perhaps 25X40. How loud should we be and at what point should I point to the meter and say "YOU'RE TOO DAMN LOUD.... SEE!!!!!"

I bought ER-20's and have started using them at rehearsal, but I have been having trouble adjusting to the while singing, so I have yet to use them at a show. I think this week iam gonig to give them a shot.

TIA
 
#158
There is lots of research into hearing and the preservation of one's hearing. My wife is the head of the audiology department of a major hospital so I am a bit tied into the whole thing.
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Mike D - I think it's really great that you champion this issue both here on Talkbass and through your website. One's hearing is such a valuable part of being a musician that anything that compromises that is an important issue to be tackled.

I would encourage anybody who is thinking about getting earplugs to fork out the small amount needed to get some ER-20's from Mike. They work really well and *really are* worth the money.

All the best,
Mike

:)
 
#159
I am taking an audiology class at present (its part of my other major speech pathology) and i am finding it very interesting. My Prof. has her own clinic and has told me to come by her clinic because i really should get the custom fit earplugs. Cheap $2.00 earplugs make everything sound so muffled i can never hear anything... and I am willing to pay $ to save my hearing...

As stated before hearing loss due to excessive exposure to noise is sensory neural hearing loss and cannot be reversed... So you may as well invest now and save your hearing in the long run..

just my 2 cents
 
#160
i got some hi-fi hearos for christmas. 12 db cut. thats all i need. i am in the loudest of places where w/out plugs i know that my ears would ring for days...because ive been there bfore w/out plugs. hearos are the stuff!! if i wear my hearos, i can hear the high registers and the low registers. if someone talks to me then i can hear them. my ears havent ringed (rung?) since christmas. $14.99 at GC.
 

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