Hearing loss and ear plugs

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 2:22 pm

It has come to my realization...that there are just too many people playing too loud for too long and not knowing what they are doing to themselves. I was born with lousy ears to begin with. I have tinnitus now due to exposure to loud sounds over a short period of time. I went trap shooting with a 22 and didn't wear earplugs. What is tinnitus you ask? A high pitched riging in my ears 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. it never goes away. Well you are probably asking...that was a shotgun! I play guitar for god sakes. Well if any of you are in a band, you probably are with a drummer, not too far away. The snare drum and similar impulse noises are extremely damaging to your hearing after long exposure. The same goes for concert environments and distorted high frequency electric guitars. I have to wear ear plugs at concerts, band rehearsals...etc. Sure it may not be cool. But once you have tinnitus/hearing loss, you can't go back and fix it. There is no treatment or cure for either one.

And since a musicians most valuable tool are his ears and hearing, why not take the effort to protect them? I've even been in a damn guitar center with people playing so loud that the employees and others were walking around with their fingers in their ears. turn down! you don't need to play so loud to have a good time. Wearing earplugs may not be "so cool" or nerdy, but whatever, you should protect your ears at all costs. One concert a month probably won't do anything. But gigging with a drummer (IMO drummers should wear them all the time while playing at full strength/loudness), full PA and stage monitors behind you once a week is going to do some damage.

so moral of the post: turn it down or wear earplugs. Your head and ears will thank you, your audience will appreciate it and you'll just have a better time when you are 60 years old and you can hear.

I wear these at gigs/shows and they have helped me too many times to count...only 15 dollars and you will be in good shape. you can get them at guitar center or any music store most likeley. the hi-fi plugs are the way to go. only a 9-15dB cut depending on what you want, it makes it loud enough to hear the nuances but not enough so that it muds it up.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.asp

the 15 dollar ones are packaged as hearos at GC. you can also get $100 plus ones custom fitted that have amazing sound reproduction. or just get IEM's and save yourself all the trouble.

MWR · Unread post by **MWR** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:16 pm

Awesome post. People really underestimate how easy hearing loss can happen. Headphones can be really dangerous too. Just listen at lower volumes.

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:18 pm

Hearing loss absolutely sucks. I lost 50% of my hearing on both ears from a flu a couple years back

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:24 pm

Wow dave I am so sorry. I have lost about 15 % in my left and 10% in my right and I thought I had it bad.

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:35 pm

Don't be , its not like its your fault or anything. I've gotten used to it , even though i say " What ? " every now and then when i talk to people.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:10 pm

Me too. Endlessly aggravating.

yknSTONE · Unread post by **yknSTONE** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:03 am

I fully support this thread 110%!!! :thumbsup:

mlb1399 · Unread post by **mlb1399** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:00 pm

A lot of the time, younger people don't worry about this kind of stuff or think it will affect them, but you have a very good point. I would like to listend to DMB until the day I die, so maybe I should consider doing the same. Good post!

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:30 pm

24/7 ringing?! i think i'd kill myself.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:37 pm

GSRLessard14 wrote:24/7 ringing?! i think i'd kill myself.

thats why you should take a little precaution and prevent it in the first place

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:17 pm

can you get used to it or is like like ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!! all the time?

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:40 pm

its like argh all the time. but i keep music playing or a fan on so i dont notice it. i only notice it when i try to sleep or when i talk about it (right now)

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:54 pm

talk about what? oh the ringing in your ears?

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:55 pm

DJR · Unread post by **DJR** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:47 pm

good post mike - my music tech teacher from high school has it, and he would love this thread if he ever saw it, i'll pick some up eventually

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Hearing loss and ear plugs

Hearing loss and ear plugs

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