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Hearing protection

garmenteros

garmenteros

Bass Enthusiast
Aug 24, 2008
3,007
697
41
Dominican Republic
metalurgia.bandcamp.com
#1
I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here goes since I figure amps are what actually make the music come to life.

I just went to the doctor today for a random checkup and asked him about having ringing in my ears and he asked me what protection I use... I said I use hear Os... He recommended I use something better for my gigs and rehearsals... since I've noticed I hear slightly better from one ear than the other and this might be causing me some motion sickness as well. He prescribed some meds that should help with bloodflow to that area.

I'm 24 and would like to keep my ears as pristine as possible for the rest of my life. What do you guys use for protection... and how do you know how loud is too loud?

Also if you could share stories about issues with hearing and what not...
 
#5
when I was at Berklee a teacher urged us to sign up for a deal getting 2 pairs of molded plugs. when I learned it was $100 I said no way . . . he asked me how much my guitar was ($1000 at least) by comparison. . . smart feller!

needless to say I signed up after that class and it was the best money I ever spent. In fact that was #$!@$ years ago . . . I'm probably due for new ones.
 
#6
I use Hear-Os and play with 1 drummer who is absurdly loud with his cymbals, and 1 drummer whose entire cymbal collection is cracked. (I believe cracked cymbals will quickly lead to hearing loss - much faster than non-cracked cymbals.)

I do not notice any further degradation of my hearing with the Hear-Os. I hear a very quiet high pitched frequency at all times (pretty much like the test tone in a hearing test) and it hasn't gotten noticeably worse over 150-ish gigs with the earplugs. It began before I used ear plugs. :(
 
#8
Your hearing will only get worse never better over time. This is true for people who have never been around loud noise and those of us who have. The only difference is those of us who have been around loud noises a lot loose their hearing faster. Spend the money and get a good pair of custom molded hearing protection. I got mine from these guys. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Wish I did it sooner.
 
#9
I use ear plugs all the time. Music practice due to being next to the drums and PA. Lately in the gym so I can concentrate on working out( safety first!) and not listen to the gyms baad music, banging weights and dumb people talking about dumb stuff. I remember going to a Van Halen Concert in Phila. (mid 1990's) without plugs. We were all standing there with our fingers in our ears. For the next 3 days all of our ears were still ringing esp. when we heard "Running with the Devil" on the Radio....:D
 
#12
johnk_10 said:
i have some hearos (a few different types), its just that they actually make it harder for me to hear things properly and sound very unnatural to me. so i just try to not play at high volume, and if it does get loud, not for extended periods of time.

2 cents.........
Click to expand...

Try the Westone custom in ears with the -9db plug. It will change how you feel about earplugs. -9db is MORE than enough to take the edge off loud situations, and it will not totally muffle the tone (plenty of treble gets through). You will have to pay for an ear exam (good idea anyway), and the whole deal will probably be around $200 or so. Well worth it. I've had mine for about a decade now. I only use them on probably 10% of my gigs (when I'm either stuck standing right next to the drummer, or if the room/band is just unusually loud).

Fantastic product. If I had to wear traditional -30db earplugs, I would just stop playing.
 
#15
I play with the re-useable -20b attenuating style plugs. They take a short while to get used to (sounds are more subdued and any vocalizations you make will sound quite loud.) But they cost under £5 and aren't uncomfortable.
I'm quite sure that I've already damaged my hearing (I hear a high pitched hissing when the room is very quiet) but am trying hard to prevent anything further from happening.
 
#16
garmenteros said:
I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here goes since I figure amps are what actually make the music come to life.

I just went to the doctor today for a random checkup and asked him about having ringing in my ears and he asked me what protection I use... I said I use hear Os... He recommended I use something better for my gigs and rehearsals... since I've noticed I hear slightly better from one ear than the other and this might be causing me some motion sickness as well. He prescribed some meds that should help with bloodflow to that area.

I'm 24 and would like to keep my ears as pristine as possible for the rest of my life. What do you guys use for protection... and how do you know how loud is too loud?

Also if you could share stories about issues with hearing and what not...
Click to expand...
I use a pair of Etymotic ER-20 for rehearsal, gigs, movies, concerts ... for $12.50/pr + shipping.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They an also do custom molded plugs. I don't know the price for ER-9, ER-15, ER25.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#17
i use Norton Sonics, have since the early/mid '70's, my hearing is tested twice a year, and i'm ok....
i won't rehearse, attend or play a show without 'em.

Link Removed...../.....Link Removed

ringing in the ears is sign that damage is being done, permanent damage....and the damage is cumulative as well...

....drummers bashing cymbals in your ears will drive you deaf long before any amount of amplification will.
 
#18
Definitely get some custom molded earplugs! Iv had some since i started playing in bands and they really help... I use 15db filters and never get ear pain or buzz! We spend thousands on basses that can be replaced but refuse to spend a couple hundreds to save our ears that we cant replace!
Click to expand...

This.

Plus, you can buy different filters for the earplugs depending on how many db's you want to cut. I have a "medium" and a "heavy" set (not sure the db cut level).

And plus one on the cymbals - I teach high school choir, and the drumline comes back to our band director at 110+ db's in the band room. And its those cymbals that slice away your pristine hearing imo.
 
#19
Not sure if you can get these where you are, but these are what I use and they have saved me gig after gig. -22db noise cut might be a bit much for some people but I value my hearing in years to come so I don't really care. I know what i'm playing, I know what i'm doing....and i'll be able to hear in 20 years!.

Invalid Link Removed

Seriously, look after your ears. I'm 23 and mine ring constantly already, I just hope I can prevent it from getting any worse!

Peace
 

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