• 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 protection

#21
I am amazed to see just about everybody is using over the counter earplugs. The fit and sound quality is just horrible - plus if they don't fit quite right you are not necessarily getting the protection you think you are. Custom musician earplugs from an audiologist are not much...for my most recent set I paid about $270 for two sets (15db and 25db reduction). Your ears are the lifeblood of your profession/hobby.
:hiding:
 
#22
Thats why I rave about mine Jazzman, they arent your usual "stuff 'em down your ear canal, one size fits all" type plugs. In fact, they dont go into your ear canal at all. they are silicone based balls which you can mould into the shape of your ear, then place over your ear canal, stretch them into place and hold them to form a seal OVER the canal.

You're right, specialist muso's plugs are the best and we all should have them. But for those of us who don't have the spare cash they're a hell of a lot better option than 2 pieces of foam shoved in your ears!
 
#23
Horror story:
There's lots of good advice here. The main thing is to realize the danger and start trying some of the suggestions so you can find the one that works for you.
After 35 of years playing I've just retired from the stage and the only reason is because I couldn't hear what I was playing any more. I've had the ringing for over 15 years. I've tried just about every thing suggested so far but too often the tones and sound on stage was altered too much for me and I removed them.
The last few years I realized I was having a hard time "understanding" what anyone was saying and always asking to have things repeated. TV's and even movies started to seem like people were mumbling or talking a foreign language . I finally got that problem fixed by spending $5300 on hearing aids but on stage, after about 3 songs, the quality of the mix started sounding like it was coming through a 2 inch alarm clock radio speaker and the bass actually started becoming transparent. Had to stick my head right in front of my speakers and that only made things worse.
I think in ear monitors would be the best solution but as a non singing musician in a nine piece band there weren't enough monitor mixes to go around and I wasn't important enough get the needed individual monitor mix needed for iem's.
I'm 55 years old. Don't wait any longer to find a solution or you'll regret it.
 
#24
251 said:
I use a pair of Etymotic ER-20 for rehearsal, gigs, movies, concerts ... for $12.50/pr + shipping.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...


I have two pairs of these in my gig bag.

Short story: I played a gig with a soundguy who went on about how things don't have to be loud to sound good, etc. So, I figured he knew what he was doing, and left my bag way behind the stage. Literally took one song to damage my hearing. Speakers were in front of us aimed at the audience, but he had the monitors up too loud. I asked him to turn mine down a number of times to no avail. I moved the mic stand, but I don't think it took more than one chorus for the damage to be done.

My right ear is still sensitive almost 3 yrs later. I keep the plugs on me at all times now. Last weekend at a gig, the singer kept making everyone turn up, so my plugs went in when we got anywhere near remotely loud.

After reading this thread, I may have to head to an audiologist and get some custom plugs. Even the Etymotics cut so many highs that I don't like wearing them, but do it when I have to.
 
#25
Another big +1 to custom plugs. I got mine with both the -25 and -15db filters. They're pretty linear, a slight cut in the low bass, but overall the sound quality is retained very well. They recommended the -25 when I got them, but it was too much volume reduction, so I had to go back and get the -15 filters, which have been perfect.
 
#26
Jazzman said:
I am amazed to see just about everybody is using over the counter earplugs. The fit and sound quality is just horrible - plus if they don't fit quite right you are not necessarily getting the protection you think you are. Custom musician earplugs from an audiologist are not much...for my most recent set I paid about $270 for two sets (15db and 25db reduction). Your ears are the lifeblood of your profession/hobby.
:hiding:
Click to expand...

+1 to the above. Except the price. lol

Custom are the only way to go. They lower the overall volume without cutting frequencies so it doesn't sound like a muffled mess. Over the counter $10.00 sets usually just cut out the highs and lows and that's why everything sounds muffled.

I paid $280 Canadian for 1 set with a -15 db cut. I can switch the fliters to either -9 db or -25 db. I am probably going to switch them to the -9. I could live with the -15 cut but would like things to be just a bit louder.

I love going home from practice/gig without my ears ringing. :hyper:
 
#28
I wear earplugs when I'm riding my motorcycle above about 35 MPH. The wind blowing on the ears is very bad, makes music seem like child's play. There's more than one way to wreck your hearing. Mine got toasted doing flight instruction. After that I try the best I can to protect it. Deaf, ED, going blind, near complete short term memory loss. 54, enjoy your last few normal years. I never expected to live this long. Lucky me.

BOB
 
#29
I think a lot of people do damage after the gig listening to loud music on the way home. Since damage happens over time, loud music in the car on the way home is going to add to the 'distress' from the show. I do sound for metal shows once in a while, I try to wear over-ear headphones (turned off) as much as I can to cut down on the levels during the show, and then earplugs and stereo off on the way home. Wear earplugs with the biggest db drop you can get while the other bands are playing, especially if you're going to be at a show for a couple of hours.
 
#30
I use these Alpine MusicSafe plugs - for $30 they're the best I've found; they come with an extra earplug in case you lose one, as well as having interchangeable inserts. I find them more comfortable than the Etymotics, which I have but keep as backups.

Link Removed

AlpineMusicSafeplugs.gif
 
#31
Jazzman said:
I am amazed to see just about everybody is using over the counter earplugs. The fit and sound quality is just horrible - plus if they don't fit quite right you are not necessarily getting the protection you think you are. Custom musician earplugs from an audiologist are not much...for my most recent set I paid about $270 for two sets (15db and 25db reduction). Your ears are the lifeblood of your profession/hobby.
:hiding:
Click to expand...

Preaching to the choir brother! I've had customs since the mid 90's! IIRC I paid $80 for the mold and the same 2 filters you have!

Back then I thought $80 was A LOT of $ for earplugs, but they've MORE than paid for themselves!

I wear them for EVERYTHING involving loud sound...concerts, sporting events, gigs, rehearsals, the movies....:)

BTW - It is funny how we have no problem dropping $200-$1000 dollars on rigs and we can't drop $200 on hearing protection! :hmm:
 
#32
Every time I see a hearing protection thread, I chime in with the same .02. I got some -15db Westone plugs made about one year ago, and it was the best money I ever invested in anything music-related. We play loud, and my ears are not ringing at all after stage or rehearsal time. My only regret is not buying these sooner!

Save yourself before tinnitus sets in.
 
#34
Thought I would chime in considering I am a doctor of Audiology (hence the cheesy name). As some of you have already suggested the custom ear plugs will always offer more attenuation of damaging noise than a universal plug. Couple the custom plugs with noise filters and you can hear the mix fine, just at a lower level and ultimately you will cause less damage to your hearing. Keep in mind that every time you hear ringing in your ears after exposure to loud noise you have done permanent damage to your hearing. You may not notice it right away but in time it will catch up to you. Bottom line is if music is your profession, then protect your assets (your ears). I have many musicians that come to my office and get custom plugs and custom ear level monitors.

If custom ear plugs are out of the question then look for universal fit ear plugs with the highest NRR rating. The higher the rating the more attenuation (protection) they provide.

Hope this helps.
 
#36
I just found out myself that after 20 years of blasting metal bass that I have significant hearing loss. I also really began noticing the ringing, tinnitus. Def go and get some prescription custom plugs. They were $125 for me and they are -15db. I'm still not completely used to them but my head doesn't hurt anymore lately. It helps the ringing, but it never goes away. It used to be funny making deaf jokes, etc, but now it's not. I was one of the people who thought "it will never happen to me". It did.
 
#37
Jason P Bass said:
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. :(
Click to expand...

It's called tinnitus and it is a symptom of permanent ear damage. This is what caused Pete Townsend of the Who to stop touring.

You asked how loud is too loud? If you have to shout to be heard above the noise level then it's too loud. If you ever experience a woozy feeling while playing you are too loud. You are 24 and I am forty years older. My hearing is significantly compromised from too many gigs with out protection. In your place I would go and see an ear specialist and not your local MD. There are medical problems that could possibly be responsible and have to be correctly diagnosed. Do not delay in taking action - hearing aids, even todays digital offerings, are a pain in the butt and are no substitute for good hearing!

Good luck...

Paul
 
#38
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'm old enough to be your father... My audiology test looks like, the graph of what we're warned about if we don't wear protection... 2K-4K really bad drop and the surrounding frequencies aint so pretty either...

WEAR EARPLUGS!!!!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back