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Hearing Protection?

kevindahl

kevindahl

Aug 21, 2006
791
1,317
#1
Hey guys and gals, a long time member here but just started posting. A question for all of you. Do you wear ear protection? I bring this up because the drummer I play with has to wear headphones(the ones you would wear in construction) because of a perforated ear drum which wont heal. I have plugs that I bought and were molded for my ear canal from a hearing aid retailer. There was a choice of -5. -15, and -25 db. I have been wearing them for almost 20 years. They did take a long time to get used too. However, when ever I have removed them when playing the volume was almost unbearable.

Our singer uses a wad of Kleenex and the guitar player does have the same kind of protection but rarely uses them. I think my hearing is still pretty good for my age and encourage others to wear some kind of protection.
 
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#3
Yes...15 dB filters in Weston custom ear molds...a must for loud gigs/rehearsals. I don't use them for acoustic gigs, usually only electric gigs. They have a very flat frequency response, and I can still hear it all...25 dB filters is too much for me. I did the molds through an audiologist and had my hearing checked too...I am 58 and I still have hearing in the normal range after over 40 years of playing and hunting, but nearing the edge of the normal range, and its only a matter of time before I develop a hearing deficit. The last pair cost me $275 over the summer, but worth every penny. I also keep generic ear plugs in my car just in case. You need to have them redone every 5 years or so for a tight fit. I also wear them if there is an opening act so my hearing doesn't get tired before I have to play. I've never had an issue getting use to them...on my third pair in about 15 years. I also wear hearing protection for concerts, mowing, chain sawing, etc...

I occasionally get poopie for wearing them on a gig. I ignore the ignorance and keep them in. Preserving my hearing is more important...
 
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#6
Yes. Gigs and practices.

But there's more: I ALWAYS bring them to concerts nowadays, because most audiences get blasted with a level of loudness that should not be legal. I've never done a gig or practice that was as loud as the Lionel Ritchie concert (this is what got me started bringing earplugs everywhere) I went to a decade ago, and that was nothing compared to the Van Halen show I saw in 2015. Which, thankfully, I had plugs for. There is no possible reason for any act to be that loud.
 
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#9
I dont have IEM, but I do wear earplugs for all gigs, practices, and live music events. They're the industrial type from an old factory job I had- 33db reduction! I will sometimes loosen them a few minutes after putting them in so that the band doesnt sound totally washed out, but I still consider them a completely essential piece of gear.
 
#12
I am hearing impaired from years of abuse and neglect. I am a long-time HS band director as well as playing in countless bands over the years. I started wearing ear plugs a few years ago but it was too late. I wear hearing aids to help understand conversation.
The thing that REALLY bothers me is how people feel comfortable joking about hearing loss. It is the only disability I know of where a person can be made fun of and no one call them out on it. Especially if the afflicted person is old.
 
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#13
kevindahl said:
Hey guys and gals, a long time member here but just started posting. A question for all of you. Do you wear ear protection? I bring this up because the drummer I play with has to wear headphones(the ones you would wear in construction) because of a perforated ear drum which wont heal. I have plugs that I bought and were molded for my ear canal from a hearing aid retailer. There was a choice of -5. -15, and -25 db. I have been wearing them for almost 20 years. They did take a long time to get used too. However, when ever I have removed them when playing the volume was almost unbearable.

Our singer uses a wad of Kleenex and the guitar player does have the same kind of protection but rarely uses them. I think my hearing is still pretty good for my age and encourage others to wear some kind of protection.
Click to expand...

I always wear ear protection. We are all IEMs now but prior I spent the cash and had custom fitted ear plugs with swapable filters.

Best piece of gear I ever purchased.

Good luck!
 
#16
hbarcat said:
I dont wear them but I only play with musicians who maintain very modest stage volumes. I use an SPL meter to ensure we keep below unsafe levels.

Get hearing tested at all frequencies every year and still good at age 51.

If I go to a show where the house sound is too loud, I leave.
Click to expand...
I wish I had the luxury of your stage volumes. 15 db filters allow perfect intelligibility on even quiet gigs, so I use them all the time in order to stay used to them. It is different playing with them in, and I think it requires significant adjustment, especially for singers. Once adjusted, it's actually an improved hearing experience, IMO.
 
#17
I had custom molds made years ago. Pretty sure I have the -15db filter. -- Westone is the brand.

Don't wear them all the time, but when it's loud, I sure am glad I have them.
I wear them less when I am playing, but often on multi band bills I wear them while the other bands are playing.
 
#18
Wish I'd had effective hearing protection on various fire support bases in 'Nam. Loss of hearing in several high freqs from the great guns (8" howitzers and 175mm cannons). Maybe why I like the.low freqs.
DOD won't pay me a penny, "doesn't affect your job". I'm retired! Guess I'll have to be presidential and sue 'em.
"It is the only disability I know of where a person can be made fun of and no one call them out on it. Especially if the afflicted person is old."
Except Mr. Magoo, because blindness is almost as funny as deafness.
 
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#20
Chrisk-K said:
Doesn't music sound extremely dull when you wear earplugs? Or are there earplugs that can attenuate all frequencies equally?
Click to expand...

Yes, if you're thinking of the roll-up-a-piece-of-foam industrial plugs. Not so hot for musicians.

If you go for custom-molded plugs (I have ACS and 64 Audio plugs), you can choose inserts that have an even roll-off across the frequency spectrum. That's the thing you want. You're hearing the mix just about how it is, only quieter.
 

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