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Hearing protection

#41
The er-20's are great if you don't sing. If you sing, they're awful. Imagine singing with a finger in each ear, sounds like you're under water. Even singing backup with those things in really sucks.

If you sing, get the custom molds. They go in past the first curve, which highly diminishes this effect (called "occlusion effect").
 
#43
I've been using the ER-20's, but I suspect that for most of my work in small jazz groups, I could benefit from less attenuation. So I will probably spring for the custom plugs soon.

Don't forget... attending someone else's gig can be dangerous too. I was very glad for my plugs when I took a business trip to New Orleans.
 
#44
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Just bought these. Seemed like the best over the counter generic earplugs availabe.

I can't get custom earplugs made at the moment, wouldn't know which doctor to go to here right now, but its something i'll look into next time im in the states.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering, do you guys use earplugs when practicing at home alone?
 
#45
Good question garmenteros, if your levels are low enough when you are practicing alone then hearing protection may not be necessary.

If anyone is curious about your soundlevels, go to radioshak and pick a cheap sound level meter.... I bet you all will be surprised at your loudness levels. These over the counter meters are not exact, but they can give you a great idea of your noise level and exposure without forking over a couple grand.

Keep in mind it is not just how loud the sound is but also factor in how long you are exposed to it. Take this for example, according to Westone (a long time manufacturer of custom ear protection), it takes approximately 1 hour of exposure at 100 dB to cause damage and if you turn it up to 115 dB (which can be quite easy at a live event or practice) it only takes 7.5 mins to cause damage to your hearing. Irreversible damage.

I see it everyday in my office, musicians and non-musicians who cannot hear or have tinnitus (constant ringing). I cannot stress enough, especially you young guys, protect your hearing at gigs, at practice, whenever.

Thanks for reading.
 
#46
+1, ADB

My buddies work in the audiology lab of the uni psych building. I hear their stories about people who have destroyed their ears and some who have multiple tones going on at once (can't imagine an endless dissonance...my hell!). tinnitus is for LIFE. permanent ringing forever. No thanks. the cost of protecting your hearing is truely minimal in the grand scheme. Do it. Do it now.
 
#48
KJung said:
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).
Click to expand...

-9 db is NOT always enough. That's why they make -15 db (what I use) and -25 db. Don't find out the hard way...

I also have custom made ear plugs and they were one of the best investments I've ever made. A co-worker has constant ringing in his ears from a too loud Van Halen concert a few years ago. He tells me that he would pay thousands to make it go away...too bad that he is stuck with it 24/7 for the rest of his life.
 

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