The case against earplugs

[Goro923]

So.

There's a couple of dudes I usually hang out and go to shows with. We have a good time and all, but they usually start making fun of me right around the time when I take out my earplugs. I've tried to explain to them countless times how important it is to protect your hearing, being in turn answered with "pussy", etc.

I couldn't give less of a shit about the name-calling, I just wish they'd realize that prolonged and repeated exposure to loud volumes does cause hearing problems. When I tell them that I do it because I want to be able to hear something when I'm 30, they usually reply with "You only live once" and things of the sort. Naturally this annoys me to no end, because with good earplugs you can actually hear the music better than without them.

I'd just like to hear thoughts/experiences and/or arguments (in favor of using them, of course) to change peoples minds; I'm sure most people on this forum know how important this is.

Protect your ears, people

 

[abandonist]

There's not really an argument to be made against them other than laziness or "false metal" bullshit.

 

[Loomer]

There is no such thing as an argument against earplugs.

 

[Goro923]

^^I meant arguments in favor of using them, to try to convince people, but thanks anyway

 

[troyguitar]

I turn 27 in 1 month and have poor hearing already. I now wear them at all shows/rehearsals but a decent amount of damage has already been done.

I really don't know how I could ever stand not wearing them. When I'm around anything loud now without earplugs it is downright painful.

 

[no_dice]

When I'm playing guitar and drums loudly at home, earplugs actually make it sound a lot better to me. Wearing them at a show ensures I won't have a headache later, along with ear ringing that sounds like a vacuum is running next to my head whenever I'm in a quiet room.

 

[NaYoN]

Perceptions about hearing protection and noise-induced hearing loss of attendees of rock concerts. - Abstract - Europe PubMed Central

 

[Mr. Big Noodles]

Earplugs kick ass. Don't listen to your friends.

 

[bulb]

I'm happy to say that 90% of the shows I have been to, I have had earplugs of some sort.
I played maybe a handful of Periphery gigs back in the day (probably whilst still on drums too) without earplugs, and it was horrible.

Right before we started touring full-time I invested in a molded set, which really changed everything for me. They don't block out sound so much as attenuate it, so you can hear everything just as clearly as you would, but at a level that won't damage your ears.

I think a big reason people hate ear plugs is because the cheap ones do tend to only allow low frequencies through whilst completely blocking the harmful high freqs, but with the molded set, it makes loud things sound BETTER with them in so you end up putting them in all the time so you can hear everything better.

I can't recommend those enough, and yeah at about 150-170 bucks it's not cheap, but then again, we are talking about your ears here, and those CANNOT be repaired...(yet, but even when we will have the technology, it will be vastly more expensive than the preventative measures)

 

[m3l-mrq3z]

I would rather be called a "pussy" on a daily basis than lose my hearing.

 

[Captain Butterscotch]

Not wearing earplugs is silly. There is no arguing against people that aren't using logic.

 

[iRaiseTheDead]

Earplugs prevent all the extra hissing and bring fourth more clarity

 

[Overtone]

I try to bring them with me. It often does improve the sound of the show, but at some shows I take them out because I find that A) it's not that loud and B) it sounds better without them at that show. Really depends on the band, the venue, and the sound guy.

 

[flo]

Wearing earplugs is as uncool as wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. Or using condoms. Or not looking constantly into laser beams. Or driving a car without being completely drunk. In the dark, with the lights on.

What I want to say is that not protecting yourself from obvious dangers is really stupid.

 

[Goro923]

it makes loud things sound BETTER with them in so you end up putting them in all the time so you can hear everything better.

And here I thought I was the only one who had earplug withdrawal

Mine aren't molded but they aren't cheapos either, and I never actually thought that it was possible to hear the intended frequencies and cancel out the harmfull ones until I tried them out for myself.

I originally bought them to see the American Carnage Tour a couple of years ago (you don't know painfully loud if you haven't seen Slayer, seriously), started taking them to every concert and eventually rehearsals. I usually keep them close by just in case someone starts drilling without prior notice

 

[Mprinsje]

ha, that's what i said until about a month ago.

then i had a particularly loud band practice which made my ears beep n buzz for 3 days straight, also massive headache for a day.

so now it's earplugs and i love it. even cheap ones for $20 or $30 can make the difference.

 

[JosephAOI]

I've never worn earplugs to a show I'm sad to say

Where can I get some good ones for relatively cheap?

 

[Goro923]

^^These are the ones I have, they're actually cheaper than I rememberd, but they've really made a difference for me:

LivePlugs.com - Hearing protection for music - LivePlugs – ear plugs for music

 

[m3l-mrq3z]

I've never worn earplugs to a show I'm sad to say

Where can I get some good ones for relatively cheap?

Man, the ability to hear well (enough) is priceless. If I were gigging constantly I would sure as hell NOT buy cheap earplugs.

Good and cheap don't match well in my book.

 

[Hyacinth]

I bring earplugs with me to all shows now. Ever since I went to a Coheed and Cambria show and the soundman was trying to make everybody deaf.