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Using protection

For hearing that is... hehe


All jokes aside, I wasn't quite sure where to put this thread so here it is...

I am wondering what some of you use for hearing protection during practices, jam sessions, gigs, concerts, etc.?

I really need to start wearing ear plugs but I just can't seem to wear ear plugs for more than a few minutes before they annoy the **** out of me. I generally use the type you would find in a factory, or construction site or whatever. My friend bought a huge box so i just snag a handful here and there..

Has anyone tried any of the Hearos brand ear plugs or any of the other brands out there?? I know a few people who use isolation headphones and I hear good things. I've even thought about seeing an audiologist to get some form fitted plugs specific to my ear but I don't think $100 are really practical considering I would probably lose them in a week.

Please express your thoughtsssss

Thanks :)
 
High volume and no protection = hearing loss. I use the green foam plugs for my "day job". They take some getting used to but it's better than the alternative. For years I didn't use them and at age 53 I have permanent ringing in the ears. So no matter what you use the important thing is use something. My 2 cents......
 
Here's a link to the TB stickie on the topic: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/hearing-loss-ear-plugs-3743/

I use custom fitted plugs.

I got one set with a -25db filter and a second solid set(no filter) with a string embedded so when I take them off I can hang them around my neck.

The second set cost about $40 because the mold was already made.

With the plugs connected with the string, I'm not really worried about losing them. I use them the most.

I wear them everywhere there is loud music/noise. Ear damage from loud music/noise is cumulative and nothing can be done to repair it.
 
I tried various types of ear plugs but didn't like any of them and do not use them at all. They all made the sound muffled, undefined and lacking clarity. I have a former band mate who has severe tinnitus due to playing in bands but the rest of us who have played with him have not had any problems with earing loss. If you control your volume properly, you shouldn't need them. On the db scale, an increase of 10 will sound twice as loud so a noise at 70db will sound twice as loud as a noise at 60db. Hearing loss can result from constant exposure to levels at 85db and constant exposure to levels under 75db usually will not result in any hearing loss. As a reference point, a normal conversation is around 60db.

Here are a couple of links to websites that might help

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx

http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/hearing-loss/
 
I wear Hearo Musician plugs to every single gig, concert, practice, etc. I keep meaning to go to an audiologist to get custom fitted.



As in a medical procedure?

Yeah I swear in the summer there was a commercial on classic rock station talking about concerts and one of the DJs said he had the proceedure done where your ears get protected up to certain DBs....but I googled it and cant find anything so I must have heard it wrong....but I wouldnt have remembered that unless they drilled the commercial into my head 1000 times so I dont know....they made it sound like laser eye correction. it sounded like one of those commercials for your ears!
 
First, $100 for protecting your hearing is a no-brainer. I won't practice or play a gig without mine. Regarding muffled sound, the filters in custom-molded plugs pass a reasonably even frequency spectrum, so there is no muffling of the sound.
 

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