Hearing Protection

[BastardCthulhu]

Alright, my age has once again betrayed me.  After a particularly LOUD show last night, I've decided it's time to take the step to keep my head from ringing every time I play out.  What do you guys use?  Custom molded jobbies?  Regular disposable plugs?  Wadded up terlet paper?  Let's hear it, while I still can...

[RAGER]

What?

[Danny G]

Had custom molded ones, best earplugs I've ever used til I ripped one (of the earplugs)

Have used the $15 Hearos that you can take apart and clean. Work great til you lose one. And you only lose one, never both...

The squishy foam ones are ok but goodbye high end. But if you sing you can hear yourself pretty good in your own head, trade-off there.

I usually default to tissue or bar napkins. Always readily available.


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[Jake]

Can you repeat that please?

[Danny G]

Huh?


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[Mr. Foxen]

I had mine checked recently, I went into the place and said 'I'm here to see the hearing specialist." A dude went 'pardon?', that was the hearing specialist, apparently isn't bored of that joke yet. Anyway, mine is fine, thanks ACS ER20s. Was considering moulded jobs, but what's best for your hearing is not having idiot guitarists in your band, so I don't need them in practice to avoid ringing ears now.

[Danny G]

I've been wearing ear protection of some sort for every rehearsal, gig, loud event, show I attend etc for 20+ years and mine still ring like a mofo.

When tested it was revealed my hearing is in pretty good shape considering, tho I do have some frequency loss in my left ear, which is odd as most bands I've played in I'm stage left with the drums/cymbals/all other amps to my right.

Then I remembered an incident of watching a band after I was done playing, and they were barely loud enough to require hearing protection so I stupidly neglected to do so.

Then some drunk tried to start a conversation with me three feet from the fucking stage. He yelled in my left ear, which made me immediately cringe and almost punch him in the face from the sudden stab of pain

My ear hurt for three or four days afterwards, such that I kept tissue in it as every loud noise hurt.

Probably what did it.


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[everdrone]

I have been wearing custom molded $180 earplugs with 30dbA reduction for the last 5 years at rock shows and band practices and band shows. 

but during that timeframe, I have developed ringing and whooshing in my ears.  maybe from mixing or listening at home.  but some just get ringing anyway, go figure.  I think my hearing is fine though.

I also bought a medicine pill carrier for my keychain and keep foam ones there, just in case so I always have earplugs since I go to loud music events hapazardly sometimes.

[everdrone]

another thing I do is wear headphones at work that do not insert into your ear.  really weird, I dunno if they are helping tho:

https://www.aftershokz.com/

Instead of transmitting sounds through the ear canal to your eardrum, these wraparound phones use your cheekbones to send the music straight down the line to your inner ear, so you can still hear traffic noises.


also, my guitar amp has a built in "attenuator", it is an Orange Thunderverb 50

my bass amps are solid state

[Corey Y]

I use Etymotic earlplugs. They were about $13, so more expensive than cheapy disposable ones, but they seem to just kind of cut the super high frequencies and not just muffle EVERYTHING. They also don't plug up your skull and make you hyper aware of every gulp and pulse going on in your head.

What?

Can you repeat that please?

Huh?

DAAAAAAAD JOOOOOOOKES

[liquidsmoke]

I've been using Hearos for a long time. If you are at a SUPER loud show(Beast In the Field, Jucifer) they help but not enough. Or if your band is super loud they help for practice and gigs but not enough. Most of the time they are fine though. They do cut too much treble but it's nothing like foam ones.

[agent of change]

I use a cotton ball torn in half and gently put not too deep into the ear canals. It filters out just enough of the high and none of the low or impact, but no ears ringing. Also, since we insulated our practice space really well (only one wall, the metal storage space roll-up door on the other end) I don't use any hearing protection and still no ringing after practice.

[spookstrickland]

I've been wearing ear protection of some sort for every rehearsal, gig, loud event, show I attend etc for 20+ years and mine still ring like a mofo.

When tested it was revealed my hearing is in pretty good shape considering, tho I do have some frequency loss in my left ear, which is odd as most bands I've played in I'm stage left with the drums/cymbals/all other amps to my right.

Then I remembered an incident of watching a band after I was done playing, and they were barely loud enough to require hearing protection so I stupidly neglected to do so.

Then some drunk tried to start a conversation with me three feet from the fucking stage. He yelled in my left ear, which made me immediately cringe and almost punch him in the face from the sudden stab of pain

My ear hurt for three or four days afterwards, such that I kept tissue in it as every loud noise hurt.

Probably what did it.


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I know exactly what you are talking about the fucking drunk yelling in your ear.  we need to just have the policy of punching them before they can yell in our ear LOL 

[RAGER]

That's not very Christian. Or is it? 

[Danny G]

That's Exactly What Jesus Would Do.


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[RAGER]

"If you don't stop yappin in ma eat am gonna make you see Jesus"

[VOLVO)))]

I made this mistake of seeing Jucifer without plugs.


Never again.

[Lumpy]

I try to bring earplugs to every show, in case I need them. I don't always use them, and sometimes I'll try removing them midway to see if they're necessary. I like the soft Hearos, some of the firmer styles really hurt after a while. Seems like my earholes are kinda small, I dunno. I think it's a good idea to wear them, and I'll even put them in for medium loud bands, if I don't like their music. Even medium loud bands will take a toll. Save it for your own music, or bands that you really like.

Shit sneaks up on you, you might think you're fine now, and 10 years from now you might wonder WTF happened.

[spookstrickland]

That's Exactly What Jesus Would Do.


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I think so too 

[liquidsmoke]

I try to bring earplugs to every show, in case I need them. I don't always use them, and sometimes I'll try removing them midway to see if they're necessary. I like the soft Hearos, some of the firmer styles really hurt after a while. Seems like my earholes are kinda small, I dunno. I think it's a good idea to wear them, and I'll even put them in for medium loud bands, if I don't like their music. Even medium loud bands will take a toll. Save it for your own music, or bands that you really like.

I'm with you on most of this.

I think Hearos might make a smaller size but I'm not sure.

[BastardCthulhu]

Thanks for the input, fellers.  I used to wear plugs all the time, and after some experimentation, I found that my shooting muffs were the best goddamn thing ever.  They didn't eliminate any important frequencies, and everything was clear as a bell.  However, I would not be caught dead wearing those to a show, whether I'm watching or playing.  Skunk Baxter, I am not.  Looked into some of the higher priced Hearos, and I think that's where I'm going.  Thanks again, y'all.

[Mr. Foxen]

I roll mine about in my fingers a bit so they are warm when they go it, softer that way. Also make sure you pull your ear back so they settle right.

[mortlock]

ive worn them from day one..faithfully. i still have perfect hearing in my mid age. my band plays loud as fuck too. you have to have them. its a must. no exceptions. 

[Lumpy]

Also make sure you pull your ear back so they settle right.

That's probably what I'm doing wrong. I try to act all nonchalant, and one-hand it.

[Danny G]

Never heard (ha!) the pulling of ears back thing but I'll try that when I use those.