Double Bass Hearing protection for DB players

[Reiska]

I have tinnitus only occassionally, but pretty " good " case of hearing loss, there`s basically nothing or very little happening over 2000Hz in my hearing. I use basic pharmacy earplugs whenever I FEEL the need, my hearing loss comes with sensitivity to noise. I`ve noticed that when I`m playing the DB in noisy setting I hear myself better with the earplugs than without. Another great reason for using them is that I don`t get tired and worn out as fast in loud situations. I have them allways in my pocket nowadays, with keys and such necessarities.

 

[longfinger]

Today I had the audiologists make moulds of my ear canals, and I ordered some plugs (-15db filters). I should get them in 2 weeks or less.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I have tinnitus only occassionally, but pretty "good" case of hearing loss [that] comes with sensitivity to noise.

I`ve noticed that when I`m playing the DB in noisy setting I hear myself better with the earplugs than without. Another great reason for using them is that I don`t get tired and worn out as fast in loud situations.

After one VERY noisy rehearsal, even though I wore earplugs, I had severe tinnitus and sensitivity to noise (hyperacusis) that lasted 8 months.

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I immediately left the band, couldn't listen to ANY music, I even had to keep the windows closed because bird noises caused pain.

What helped me most:
• Diet: Eating mostly Veges & fruit.
Zero alcohol.
• Relaxing at onset of pain: laying still in a dark & quiet room. My family are migraine sufferers and this works for them.
• Very quiet singing gradually helped desensitise me ears in the later stages (but didn't help at the beginning).
• Put earplugs in before anyone plays a note.


PS. It could be worse - my brother has migraines as well as permanent hyperacusis in his left ear after a skull fracture thru the Temporal bone (where the ear is) as a teenager. He's a guitarist/dobro/mandolin player and only plays acoustic gigs now, mostly bluegrass.

 

[Leo Smith]

For a long time I used the yellow foam E-A-R plugs for all kinds of gigs, especially gigs with durmmers! (Got them free at Air Force.) Loved them because they killed all the high end (highs drives me nuts), leaving me to hear just the low end frequencies which were more important to me. Air Force also offered the molded plugs from Westone, I believe. I took advantage of that several times, but always found that they never quite fit properly. Never understood or figured out why that was.

Lately I've been using the Alpine plugs that were mentioned by @Blaine and @ArtechnikA . Overall they seem to give an equal attenuation over most frequencies. That's what I hear anyway, so it's taken some time to get accustomed to them. There are two kinds of filter included and I like them both. It just depends on the gig. I never leave home without them on the keychain! In the last few weeks, I've used them a lot on gigs with no drummers.

 

[dday110]

I was going to make an earplug post, but I'll chime in here!

I have about 8 different types of plugs. I love my digital ones by Etymotic, for teaching and rehearsals, cause the compressor releases and I can hear someone talking. However, because of the compressor, it does nothing for dynamics, which is vital in an orchestral setting. Has anyone found a digital/compressor style earplug that is useful for orchestral playing?

or, similar question, what earplugs do you recommend for orchestral bass playing? some of the $20 ones are great at reducing sound, but I have a harder time hearing my bass, let alone if it's in tune or not, with the cheap plugs.

(I'm looking at all the links from above in this thread, and the Westone's look pretty awesome)

 

[Ed Fuqua]

... please share your experiences and recommendations.

I have found that the most effective protection from loud gigs is the word "No" uttered into the telephone.

 

[lakefx]

The $160 custom molded Westones with interchangeable filters was the best music purchase I have made. Use them all the time for the electric band, but have not used them for a DB gig yet. Fit great and cuts the frequency’s evenly,-9/15/30 db filters. The -9 would be best for you.

Same here. Best purchase I have ever made related to music. I can wear them with the -30db filters and have a conversation at normal levels because it is that clear.

 

[richfirstbass]

I have found that the most effective protection from loud gigs is the word "No" uttered into the telephone.

I participate in various settings including acoustic jazz and classical (orchestra). Hearing loss can come from even these acoustic only settings. I've learned that standing next to the wide open lid of the acoustic grand piano can be punishing.

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I sometimes have to wear ear plugs at orchestra rehearsal. I use Etomotic brand recommended by the conductor. I don't like the overall effect, but I don't want to lose my hearing.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'll try not to purvey any nuanced humor here from now on, sometimes it falls on deaf ears...

 

[jasonrp]

This place needs a rimshot emote

 

[guy n. cognito]

Westone TRU Universal WM16 Full Frequency Earplugs - Universal Fit

Hearing protection for bassist...without discrimination between DB or bass guitar. Just enough cut to protect the ears, without a loss of feel.

 

[Ben B]

I recently went shopping for some new ear plugs. I did a little research and the most important thing I found was don't go to a music store to buy earplugs or headsets. They just mark up the same brands that you can get cheaper through other stores. For example, if you want isolation headsets, go to Home Depot and get the 3M model. It's the same as the Vic Firth sold at MF, but about half the price. Amazon also has some good deals.

I've used the Norton sonic II plugs for years, and I wanted a new set. These plugs are no longer made by Norton, but they are still available here:

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18 Db noise reduction which makes them a little better than the Hearos at 12 Db reduction. They cut highs and low pretty evenly.

 

[fdeck]

I've been wearing Hearo's to pretty much every rehearsal and gig now. For reasons that I don't fully understand, jazz gets played loud in my locale.

 

[Al Garcia]

I've been using cheap foam plugs that I get at the drugstore because they seem to have the highest sound reduction level. Are these available in any color other than florescent orange? Maybe something close to skin color?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

This place needs a rimshot emote

.

 

[vilshofen]

Chris I swear by the silicone putty ones, mentioned by Steven Ayres, above; the other types, not so much. Trick is to wear them everywhere outside that's urban. Because they're sticky, you can move them around to adjust to different noise levels.
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