How many of you wear ear protection during gigs?

i have for the past two years.


they're custom made plugs for my ears, cost me like 150 bucks, everything sounds exactly like it does without plugs, just less painful


i would NOT recommend going without plugs. ever.


jason

 

Ditto....what HE said!

 

Always. As a band member, I've been wearing them since day one.

 

I wear Doc's vented Proplugs. If it's a quiet gig sometimes I go without, but tinnitus runs in my family, and those crash cymbals can be deadly!

If I'm going to watch a band I always wear them

They feel a bit funny at first, but they let the bass through well and you can hear yourself sing. It's the guitars and cymbals I find most painful.

Also, they're clear so you can't see them!

 

Always. I use the regular old foamy ones found at must drug stores. Flents, i believe.

I wear them to bed now, too. Get a great night's sleep!

 

OH! This isn't the Double Bass side of the board.....sorry, the question threw me.

When I found out I had some hearing loss, and later tinnitus, I tried some over the counter jobs. As time went on, I got prescription earplugs because the store bought plugs had two problems;

1. The made higher frequencies either inaudible or hard to hear. Not a good way to play.
2. They were just flat out uncomfortable

These Sensaphonic jobs I have are comfy because they're custom fitted silicone. They allow you to hear across the frequency range. Plus, they have interchangeable pieces for 15dB attenuation and 25dB attenuation, so you can switch them out for when you'll be blasting.

 

Since I've never had a gig I can't really answer. But my friend who plays drums wears ear plugs when he gigs or practices. But when he practices he has been known to wear those large safety ear protectors that jack-hammer guys wear. Awesome fashion statement.

 

i got the musician's earplugs from entymotic... the're the best you can get without making a custom mold of your ear and they only cost me $12... Check out the thread titled Hearing Protection, under the Ask Mike Dimin section.. he sells them, and i would highly recommend them over normal earplugs, which i used to wear... and the molded ones, which i can't afford..

 

Lke FHB above I use ER20.

I developed had some ear problems that left me with Tinnitus if I am tired or near loud stuff. My ears are so weird at the moment that rattling pots and pans in the kitchen actually hurts. Doesnt let me off stacking the dishwasher though.

The ER20's are excellent and keeps rimshots and sizzler cymbals at bay. I even like 20in China's now!

 

I wear my Hearos in rehearsals, concerts and in discos.
They're great for the price. I even can converse while wearing them.

 

Guess im the only one that doesnt wear them........My ears never hurt or anything, and no ringing or anything. i guess i have to much ear wax in there already or something....

 

I started religiously using over the counter plugs about five years ago and just got custom plugs this year (cost $135). I won't play in an amplified situation anymore without them. I even use foam plugs when mowing the lawn or using the snowblower now.

Funny thing is after you get used to hearing everything attenuated 15 dB or so, when you listen with NO plugs things seem painfully loud!

Guess what, they are

 

I have the custom plugs, too, but I only wear them on gigs that I don't sing. If I'm singing I really can't get a feel for the vocals with the plugs. I've tried everything from using one plug to one filter and one plug, to one filter, but I just can't get used to hearing my own voice so much louder than the rest of the music.


Chris A.

 

For those who already get tinnitus... you probably already know.... but it can be affected by other things too... like what you eat and drink for instance.

If I drink red wine I can get hissing in my ears - though not always, so if you do suffer from tinnitus it might be worth getting more info. There's definitely a help group here in the UK. People have been known to become suicidal because of its effects.

(Sorry I feel like the voice of dooooom!)

 

When I started playing (like 9 years ago) I didn´t care about it, we played very loud, just like the rock-manual said, and one day a friend brought some earplugs to a rehersal, from that day to now I´m using´em, when I don´t, because I left them at home or something, I feel like my head is going to blow, you know what I mean....

And I want to be able to hear my grandchildren when I get older...... hey I´m just 25

 

Is this even possible?

I don't wear earplugs, mainly because when I have worn them, I haven't been able to hear anyone but me. I have been thinking about getting some good ones lately though. There are some that let everything in, just at a lower volume, eh?

 

I got a set of 15db Westones made. I won't play without earplugs anymore. I just wish I would have used earplugs ten years ago...I've definitely lost some hearing.