The case against earplugs

[benduncan]

if you dont mind me asking....

to the people that have experienced noticeable hearing loss, this sounds so trivial, but has it cause any difficulty dialing in tones? or maxing decisions on mixes? or anything?

my dad can hear the crickets out side on a summer night which means he cant hear that frequency, that scared me.

his hearing loss is from gunfire not music though, lol

 

[FrancescoFiligoi]

When I was 17, I did band practice two times in a row without earplugs, that was enough for me. I always carry Alpine earplugs in my key holder, and I use them even at loud cinemas or while driving if it's a long trip.

 

[Goro923]

I remember starting to actually worry about the whole hearing loss thing because of a physics class on sound pressure, acoustics, etc. The teacher said each time you have any sort of ringing in your ears after a concert (or whatever) means you've done damage to some extent, even if it goes away the next day.

 

[Varcolac]

I have a pair of etymotics on my keychain, a few foam plugs in the "coins" part of my wallet, and a second eaten-up set of etymotics in my guitar case (they went through the washing machine about 6 months ago, prompting the purchase of the current set). No risks taken.

My hearing is precious. Both my grandfathers lost most their hearing quite early in life. One was expected; he was a builder using pneumatic drills without mufflers back in the day. The other was a bus driver, so his hearing loss makes me think there's something genetic in it and that as someone possibly at risk of hearing loss I should protect it while I've still got it.

Of all the senses it's the one I'd hate to lose the most. Sure it'd suck to lose my eyes, but language and music are my two great passions and I'm not giving them up that easily.

I usually use plugs as an audience member for any fully amplified show. If it's a small venue with conversation-level music then I don't bother, but anything like gig volume the plugs go in. As a player, it depends on similar things. Open mic night? Screw it, not loud enough. Everything going through the PA, amps up to 11? Plugs ahoy.

Staring into a lazer is way cool though.

 

[ROB SILVER]

When I was 17, I did band practice two times in a row without earplugs, that was enough for me. I always carry Alpine earplugs in my key holder, and I use them even at loud cinemas or while driving if it's a long trip.

Like you, I had a scare early on that has made me much more careful than my friends.

Nearly 20 years ago... I was right under the speakers at and Extreme gig so I could watch Nuno's solo.

10 minutes later my ears were distorting!

It seemed to recover the next day, although it will have done permanent damage I guess.

But a night spent thinking I was going deaf made me very careful moving forward

 

[Hybrid138]

My etymotics went through the washer several times and still work but I think I should buy a new pair.

 

[Rick]

When they lose their hearing, you can start calling them pussies.

 

[otisct20]

Im 18 and have constant ringing in my ears because of the concerts I've been to. I am saving for a molded set because the cheap ones are uncomfortable in my ears.

 

[wilch]

*double post*

 

[wilch]

if you dont mind me asking....

to the people that have experienced noticeable hearing loss, this sounds so trivial, but has it cause any difficulty dialing in tones? or maxing decisions on mixes? or anything?

Short answer, yes.

I constantly need to ask the people around me if they like the sound, when I'm screwing with my tone or mixing something.

I mean, something that I think sounds good might have some harsh high frequency that I can't hear but everyone else can. There's no way around it anymore.

I'm always second guessing myself when it comes to tone. Which makes me desire more gear, gear that other people love the sound of. There's no taking the high road and thinking to myself, "I like what *I* hear. I'm happy with my tone."

 

[benduncan]

damn, thanks for answering me though

 

[epsylon]

I was regularly wearing earplugs (non-molded) at concerts to prevent hearing problems. In fact, since the FIRST concert I ever saw (I was sixteen at the time) I have had permanent ear ringing, very light and only noticeable at night. I tried wearing earplugs, but some of them were not comfortable and there was a noticeable loss of sound quality.

Then a few months ago, I went to a concert and decided to not wear them during the set of one the bands (Fleshgod Apocalypse \m/). The day after, I had to take my day off at work because the ear-ringing was WAY louder (louder than the fan of my computer) and addtionnaly I had a slight headache. Trust me, I felt VERY stupid for not wearing the goddamn protections. I went to the nearest hospital which have ear specialist on duty. If you ever have a problem with noticeable ear ringing, act QUICK. I cannot emphasize that enough. The first 24/48 hours are crucial. If you can get to a specialist and have simple medics prescribed, the ringing can be reduced what they were before (in my case, slight ringing only noticeable in the silence of the night). After that, IT IS TOO LATE. Don't fucking play with your hearing, medecine can not (yet) repair it if you fuck it up. Have you ever wondered why Paul Gilbert wears fucking headphones when he plays ? It's because he has fucked up his hearing after playing too loud for too long. Imagine what hell it must be to have permanent ear ringing when you're one of the best fucking guitar players on Earth.

Anyway, a few weeks after my stupid mistakes, I did what I should have done a long time ago. I went to an audioprothesist and bought myself a pair of moulded -15dB earplugs. For 170euros, I can say it is one of the best investment in my fucking life. For some of you, 170 euros would be the cost you'd pay to the doctor if you fuck up your ears. So just fucking do it guys.

Get moulded earplugs. It's cheap and it will save your hearing. You do not want to live with permanent ear ringing (having known someone with it, I can say that it has severe psychological implications that make day-to-day life really hard).

I've been to quite a few concerts since then (including Hellfest where I've seen retardedly loud bands like Sunn O)))) and the sound quality is way better than with non moulded which tend to filter high frequency and lose all the detail.

My plan is to make a second -25dB pair soon to compare. -15dB will give you the best reduction while being still linear. -25dB is more recommended in really loud environments, or if you're a drummer or something like that, it's less linear but it preserves more.

 

[budda]

I just have the hear-o's you can get at any hardware store. Those foam buds don't do jack shit (may have been stated). I know that molded ones would be an improvement, but what I have is the exact same as music stores sell for $20 (mine were $4.50). They cut out enough of the highs, but I can still hear everything fine.

I want molded ones moreso for the aesthetics of them while playing live instead of having orange sticking out of my ear canals

OT: bulb used to play drums, then turned into a monster guitarist? Dear lord.

 

[Sofos]

I've been to quite a few concerts since then (including Hellfest where I've seen retardedly loud bands like Sunn O)))) and the sound quality is way better than with non moulded which tend to filter high frequency and lose all the detail.

I went to see Sunn O))) with non moulded ear plugs, and the sound quality was phenomenal. I guess it comes down to which ear plugs you get.

 

[Ryan-ZenGtr-]

The real problem with loud enviroments is NOT the noise itself. It's desensitised people walking up and shouting right into your ear hole.

"WHATTTT? CAN'T YOU HEAR ME? I'M RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!!!!!"
Yes, I can hear you... *cough* moron.

Happens every show. Best thing to do is speak without making any sound, until they lean in...

"WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??? I CAN'T HEAR YOU???"

"WEAR SOME ******* EAR PLUGS YOU DEAF ************!!!!!!!!"

They will wear their ear plugs in future, or at the least not harass you about it again!

 

[MetalBuddah]

Hearing protection never really was a big concern for me until recently. I used to go to gigs and practices without earplugs but after a while I got sick and tired of my ears hurting so bad. I already have a slight ringing in my ears, nothing major, but still...this has really pushed me to wear earplugs whenever I go to a concert or practice. And I have got to say, ear plugs have made everything better. Everything is so much more clear and I can stand being in loud spaces for a long time.

 

[Ryan-ZenGtr-]

Actually, anyone got any good info on treating tinnitus?

The latest thing I read is the problem isn't the ringing, it's noticing it.
*shakes fist angrily at over paid worthless researchers stating the obvious in the name of science!!!*

 

[MetalBuddah]

If anybody is looking for great earplugs at an affordable price, I would recommend anything in this product line: EarPro Products

These are the most comfortable and clearest earplugs I have used that aren't crazy expensive. And the big plus with these is that they have a chord that keeps the plugs together and they also fit very comfortably in the ear

 

[wlfers]

I'm glad I started taking care of my ears at a relatively young age (18). Now I generally use some sort of hearing protection at all concerts but I still prefer to take them out when I'm performing so what I'm hearing is what the audience hears in terms of volume level and frequency. Not to mention I always felt I'd get in the groove then have my plugs fall out

After reading this thread I'm grabbing some etys to see how they are!

 

[hairychris]

if you dont mind me asking....

to the people that have experienced noticeable hearing loss, this sounds so trivial, but has it cause any difficulty dialing in tones? or maxing decisions on mixes? or anything?

my dad can hear the crickets out side on a summer night which means he cant hear that frequency, that scared me.

his hearing loss is from gunfire not music though, lol

I don't get involved in any mixing because I know that I have a hole in the 8-8.5k range and loss of sensitivity elsewhere.

It's just got to be one of those things that I can't do. Hey ho. Not that I care as I find it massively boring.