Double Bass Tinnitus and Practicing. Please HELP! (DB Forum Thread)

[rufus.K]

I have it in left ear. The hearing loss isn't the bad part, it's the ringing and tones that mask other frequencies that are hardest for me to deal with. Exactly 5kHz is exactly gone, plenty left below it, and odd intervals above it. Mine cause by head cold with massive congestion and sinus pressure two years ago .
I just soldier on and listen past it best I can.

 

[Bole909]

Can you hear it the whole day or just at quiet environments?

I hear it the most when I go to sleep and it's perfectly quiet. Also, I can hear it during the day if it is quiet and if I "concentrate" on it (try to hear it). Because it is always there, we probably learn to "ignore" it over time.

 

[rufus.K]

I tune mine out, and have to make myself hear it. Problemme is, I can't do the opposite

 

[Fogducker]

Chet Baker, the great jazz trumpeter once said "It takes an outstanding drummer to beat no drummer!" I agree, but its too late for me, I've got tinnitus also.

Fog

 

[Tom Bomb]

Joe, here's something that should help explain things. It's a fifteen minute radio doco about this challenge you're dealing with.

It's called Signal to Noise. You should be able to listen in.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) is one of the most common medical conditions in the western world. Producer Paolo Pietropaolo explores his own struggle with tinnitus and in doing so creates 'a kind of music that questions where the edge lies between signal and noise.’

I'm a fellow traveler. Ring-a-ding-ding! But, I never let it get me down. Instead, I just accept it - even give it some love. After all it is a part of me. Turns out, mine's a pretty sound approach. Works for me, undoubtedly

 

[brianrost]

Click on the poster's name and a dialog box opens with "Start a conversation" as a choice.

Back on topic

 

[cman227]

I started wearing the 3M E-A-R Classic foam blocks (not tapered) in practice and it works much better than musician’s earplugs. I have tried many types and even had some custom molded. Most musicians’ earplugs only filter out about 15db, so if the band is practicing at 105db you’re still going to go deaf, just a little slower. I also keep by bass volume on the low side and if my bandmates tell me to turn up, I request that they turn down.

Amazon.com: 3M E-A-R Classic Earplugs, 310-1060, Uncorded in Pillow Pack (1 pair per pillow pack, 30 pair per box): Home Improvement

 

[lhoward]

I did a post on this thread in late 2015 and since then I've discovered something that at least protects the hearing I have left. In the summer of 2016, I and a lifelong friend started going target practicing after a long hiatus after being in the military and raising families. I was using ear plugs with an NRR of 33dB and a friend at the range was using electronic shooting earmuffs. I bought a pair and of course they worked well for shooting.

I played a gig last year with a fairly loud band and since I've tried to protect my remaining hearing, I decided to wear the earmuffs at the gig. To my surprise, they kept the maximum sound level to 82dB and the other surprising thing was than I could hear everyone else in the band better, probably since everyone's sound level was kept close to being the same. Most gigs I play anymore are subdued enough that I really don't need them, but I keep them in my gig bag all the time. I bought a second pair to keep in my range bag for when I go shooting at the range. They didn't have these electronic miracles 45 years ago. The neat thing is that I can hear the full frequency range that my ears are capable of, not a muffled sound with reduced high frequency content that happens with ear plugs. It really helps with definition of the music. I bought Howard-Leight electronic earmuffs R-01902. They provide a hearing experience and safety that I can't get from ear plugs. Just FYI about my experience.

 

[cman227]

I did a post on this thread in late 2015 and since then I've discovered something that at least protects the hearing I have left. In the summer of 2016, I and a lifelong friend started going target practicing after a long hiatus after being in the military and raising families. I was using ear plugs with an NRR of 33dB and a friend at the range was using electronic shooting earmuffs. I bought a pair and of course they worked well for shooting.

I played a gig last year with a fairly loud band and since I've tried to protect my remaining hearing, I decided to wear the earmuffs at the gig. To my surprise, they kept the maximum sound level to 82dB and the other surprising thing was than I could hear everyone else in the band better, probably since everyone's sound level was kept close to being the same. Most gigs I play anymore are subdued enough that I really don't need them, but I keep them in my gig bag all the time. I bought a second pair to keep in my range bag for when I go shooting at the range. They didn't have these electronic miracles 45 years ago. The neat thing is that I can hear the full frequency range that my ears are capable of, not a muffled sound with reduced high frequency content that happens with ear plugs. It really helps with definition of the music. I bought Howard-Leight electronic earmuffs R-01902. They provide a hearing experience and safety that I can't get from ear plugs. Just FYI about my experience.

I'm sure they work great but I can't show up at a gig wearing ear muffs.

 

[delta7fred]

I'm sure they work great but I can't show up at a gig wearing ear muffs.

You sound just like our drummer, he refuses to wear IEMs and was too vain to wear headphones* but insists on singing when he cannot hear himself so is often off key (he is half deaf and terminally stubborn). It doesn't make for a professional performance (understatement of 2018!).

*The truth is he refused to wear headphones or spend money on proper fitting IEMs so has tried for the last 18 months to get by with cell phone/mp3 earphones until we hit him with an ultimatum - Sing in tune or we mute your mic. He is now using headphones and a "more of me" headphone amp so he can boost his mic level in his mix. He is now singing in key again.

No one is staring at him because he is using headphones and I'm sure the same would be true if you wore ear defenders.

You've got to do what is needed to if you have tinnitus. I worked this out a few years ago, the alternative is quit plating!

 

[cman227]

You sound just like our drummer, he refuses to wear IEMs and was too vain to wear headphones* but insists on singing when he cannot hear himself so is often off key (he is half deaf and terminally stubborn). It doesn't make for a professional performance (understatement of 2018!).

*The truth is he refused to wear headphones or spend money on proper fitting IEMs so has tried for the last 18 months to get by with cell phone/mp3 earphones until we hit him with an ultimatum - Sing in tune or we mute your mic. He is now using headphones and a "more of me" headphone amp so he can boost his mic level in his mix. He is now singing in key again.

No one is staring at him because he is using headphones and I'm sure the same would be true if you wore ear defenders.

You've got to do what is needed to if you have tinnitus. I worked this out a few years ago, the alternative is quit plating!

I could see wearing headphones. They were common many years ago and you can find video of the Doobie Brothers wearing them back in the 70's. Ear muffs though, that might be weird.

 

[lhoward]

I could see wearing headphones. They were common many years ago and you can find video of the Doobie Brothers wearing them back in the 70's. Ear muffs though, that might be weird.

From an appearance aspect, they don’t really ‘look’ that different. My intent was to share something I use to protect my hearing, not look socially acceptable. Headphones won’t do any significant protection for hearing.
:-(

 

[delta7fred]

When I first got tinnitus and started wearing earplugs our guitarist complained and said I should stop wearing them.

I told him that it was my hearing and what he thought had absolutely no relevance, there were only 2 options, wear them or give up playing. That was over 6 years ago and he never mentioned it again.

 

[lurk]

I've been wearing earplugs for years. Etymotic Research brand. They're inconspicuous and I find that on gigs with noisy crowds lowering the overall sound helps me focus on the music better. I've tried lots of ways of dealing with tinnitus - various nutritional supplements, accupuncture, biofeedback/meditation, homeopathy, and nothing has helped. I still enjoy music and hopefully the earplugs are keeping the tinnitus from worsening.

 

[Max George]

I have horrendous tinnitus, and wear earplugs when I play. They are the Hearos 33dB foam. I play Bluegrass. I also stand behind the banjo players, they go to 11. I have a Dean Markley EUB, the full scale model, and that’s how I practice. I don’t plug it in. I use a small Mackie mixer, 8 channels and Bose computer speakers turned away to practice with. I have dots on the neck, and they help me stay in tune. I do rely on them, as it is hard to hear. My Upton Bohemian Hybrid also has dots, and they do help a lot. If I can’t hear, I can see the dots and I’ve become proficient at using them to stay in tune. Before I gig, I play the Upton a day or two, and I don’t have any issues transitioning from the Dean to the Upton. The Upton is a wonderful musical instrument, it has a real magical quality to it. I was not sure about the Hybrid top, but I wanted some Danny Thompson quality to it. I love it now for sure, and the guys I play with love it also. They are former ply supporters. I am very, very thankful to still be able to play, even under these conditions.

 

[Grahams Groove]

I'm an EB player, but this thread is one of the best I've found as I frantically search for ways to deal with a sudden spike in hearing issues. I can't necessarily say I'm finding comfort here, but at least hearing stories that make me feel like I'm not alone with this issue. And I'm finding some solace in the fact that folks in this thread have been so forthcoming about how this affects them...

The quick background is that I've been going to concerts all my life - I'm 33 now. I've seen a few hundred concerts and often like to be close enough to 'feel it'. Up until the last two years those were all attended with no hearing protection. I also played in bands (practicing/gigging multiple times a week) from age 14-23, again with no hearing protection. I don't remember a lot of 'ringing', but I was always on the drummer's right & noticed some loss of treble in the left ear over time. I know there is a lot of cumulative damage from all of this, but there are two specific events that seem to have caused more acute issues.

About two years ago I attended a metal show and forgot to bring protection. The PA mix was shrill and both drummers were hitting hard and doing lots of cymbal work. I rang for about 3 days after that and became worried. I wore protection at shows since then. Although it muffled the sound a bit, I was no longer experiencing ear fatigue after shows. Then in May of last year I was practicing at home with a delay pedal, and it started feeding back causing a very high pitched shrill while my left ear was pointed at the amp. It was painful and I noticed the onset of consistent low-level tinnitus and some hyper sensitivity to high end after that. The sudden shift at that time made me very aware of the change in my left ear, but it became very manageable and almost unnoticeable after a week.

Fast forward to about 2-3 weeks ago. I've started noticing the tinnitus more, despite carrying ear plugs everywhere and doing my best to practice bass & listen to audio at reasonable volumes. In particular, I'm noticing what seems like hyperacusis in the left ear that is fluctuating significantly. I woke up this morning and the sound of traffic, running water, the steam fan in our bathroom, and general background noises are particularly loud and more noticeable than usual. This hypersensitivity is also causing me to feel like there is a big imbalance in my hearing between left and right - it's almost making my right ear seem muted or plugged because the left sound so shrill and sensitive.

I have an appointment with an ear doctor today, but I'm fearing that this is no easy fix & that there may be no real solution. This tinnitus, hyperacusis, and imbalance is affecting my desire to play bass, listen to music, listen to podcasts, etc. It's affecting my ability to go out and be social. To be honest, it's causing lots of depression and has made me break down on more than one occasion. I understand this is a complex issue. I know that many issues with tinnitus & hearing loss are permanent & incurable. I also know that I've caused this by being naive and uneducated about the importance of protecting my hearing. Still, the thought of music becoming a lesser or non-existent part of my life is just gutting me. I'm trying to be hopeful that this first visit with a hearing specialist today will at least present some ideas about what's going on and how to start dealing with it. I guess we'll see...

 

[unbrokenchain]

Got the junk you're talking about... deafening if I pay attention to it. I've done a LOT of driving in my adult life, jobs and cross country tours, etc, I blame it more on road noise and driving with the window cracked than the loud shows I've played or attended, though I'm sure they're a big factor. I've thought about wearing noise-canceling headphones while driving, maybe not very safe unfortunately.

It sounds crazy, but there's a way to learn to love the sound. I've come around to embracing it as proof that I'm still alive, and just like the lower back that's injured from working too hard, I'm happy to have a working body even if it's a little roadworn... Figure out the exact pitch and you can use it to tune your instrument

 

[Don Hergert]

That's true. My ears ring at different frequencies, but the lower tone is very hear-able and I can consistently tune to it.

I've done a lot of things that are pretty stupid from a hearing standpoint. Probably the worst were high caliber target shooting and riding a loud Harley, but playing 5-string banjo for ~50 years probably hasn't helped...

One thing I highly recommend is never have your unprotected ears within 6 feet (2 meters) of a banjo being played toward you at moderate to high volume. I actually think banjos, with their percussive volume and tenor voices, can cause more hearing problems than a lot of other instruments. I'll probably always love their tone, but you have to be careful around them.

I consider myself lucky that I can still hear well enough to play musical instruments, and I religiously protect what hearing I have left.

 

[delta7fred]

I'm sure I've posted all this before but being old I cannot remember if I did or just thought about doing it!

I started with tinnitus in my right ear almost 8 years ago after playing gigs on consecutive nights with a hard hitting drummer* while I had blocked sinuses, followed up with going to see a stupid loud band that had ice pick highs in the PA.

At first it was pretty depressing having the constant whine in my right ear (drummer side) but over time I have come to accept it and while it is still annoying that I allowed it to happen I can now live with it.

I now take every precaution possible to protect my ears. Every pair of trousers/jeans (pants - USA) has at least one earplug in the back pocket. If I go to see a band I always wear plugs. I play the radio/recorded music at a fraction of the volume I used to. When I play a gig I have a plug in my right ear and an IEM (at low volume) in my left. The volume of the crowd talking is usually louder than what I hear when playing. It takes a bit of getting used to but the alternative is to not play and being a gig whore there is no way I am doing that.

It is at it's worst when :-
I've had a few drinks.
I have a cold/fever.
I am exercising.
I am stressed (but being retired I try and keep that to an absolute minimum).

* Who also has hearing problems.

I've come around to embracing it as proof that I'm still alive

That's a very positive way to look at it, much like every day on the green side of the grass is a good one. This maybe doesn't mean a lot to younger players but as you get older it takes on more relevance.

 

[Maple]

I started wearing ear plugs a couple years ago after reading the beginnings of this thread.
I worked in a saw mill as a teen and so had some experience with hearing problems back then and didn’t want to repeat that with aging ears.

I have some etymotics but for the last two years have been using earasers. The earasers are super low profile so even at a party, people may not notice. I keep them in a container clipped to the zipper of my bass bag so they’re always there and hard to miss. I wear them in jazz gigs, rehearsals as well as in rock bands. So far, my ears are doing ok.