[Mr.Charlie]

Put it this way, our ears haven't developed much since say, 10,000 (probably a lot longer then that actually) years ago. Back then, the loudest noises you were going to hear was some shouting, loud animals once in a while, and who else knows. Basically...our ears simply are not designed to hear 120+ DB noises like rock concerts, airplanes, the whole shabang. Sure, some people are probably more sensitive then others, but everyone is prone to losing some hearing, and everyone WILL lose some hearing over their lifetime because of all the additional noise we hear, especially if you're subjecting yourself to incredibly loud noises. Some will just notice it more then others. In fact, everyone human on the earth pretty much has what is known as tinnitus (ringing in the ear, also a sign of damage) because of all this additional noise we hear that our ears weren't designed for. As I said before, some people will be affected more and some will notice it more then others. In the end, I'd definitely recommend wearing some ear plugs. Your ears simply were not designed to endure the stress you're putting them through, there's no shame in throwing some plugs in.

[heavynylon]

I got tinitus years ago after scuba diving. I had trouble decompressing my ears and got a horrible infection. So, have great respect for ear protection. And I don't scuba dive anymore.

I don't usually wear earplugs at concerts, though I do stay away from the house speakers. If I stand too close to them, it actually hurts, especially during drum solos. Instead I try to stand near where the sound mixers are. The volume level isn't too bad there. And I figure, if that's where they're mixing the sound, that's where the sound is best.

I was reminded about this thread over the weekend. I went down to BamaJam. Yonder Mountain and Govt Mule were there. I noticed a guy with a baby in a backpack. He was standing on the front row, right in front of the house speakers. Eventually, one of the policemen made him move. He was pretty mad ("This is bullshit, man!"), but his kid will probably appreciate it in years to come.

[old man down]

One more thing on tinitus. So I was in a band at one point, and would suffer from the noise hangover the next day. I then moved to Arizona and wanted to get a job out there one summer in-between semesters, during the summer.

It was UPS and they wanted me to take a physical which included a hearing test. You hear tones of all pitches and have to indicate which ear you're hearing the tones in. They got lower and lower in decibels. It got to the point where I was practically guessing. Nonetheless, I got every one right. I left there knowing that my hearing was still fine. So, I don't know if I believe that tinitus is so much a hearing thing as opposed to a mental feedback sort of thing. I still believe that if you can find tranquility in your life things like tinitus subside considerably.

[Mr.Charlie]

um, the tinnitus i'm talking about is entirely physically based and has known biological mechanisms. Loud noise damages your ear drum and the hair cells that relay the auditory messages to your primary auditory cortex of your cerebrum (brain to lay people). Now, there can be disorders where people have neural instabilities and problems with their mental state and they hear noises, no doubt, but that's not what i'm talking about. Tinnitus is real, hearing loss is real, in fact, medicine is real.

[gr8fulbluz]

I remember I used to always think I heard the phone rining while I was playing guitar. I would stop listen and no Phone? So.My hearing is shot, jet noise, large reciprocating engine noise, small clubs with live bands it all adds up I guess.
I just picked up a pair of skull screws, like here.
They worked pretty well the other night, I saw Joe Bonamassa. However, I took them out cause the sound mix on the vocals was kind of bad. Now my head/ears are ringing.
I do recommend earplugs very highly!

[Rusty the Scoob]

My hearing checks are - clapping or snapping my fingers near each ear. After a lot of loud noise it sounds flat and dull compared to normal. And every once in a while I put on the end of Sgt Pepper to make sure I can still hear the dog whistle after the final chord of A Day In The Life fades out. Eventually age will probably take it away but for now it's still there, despite mild tinnitus.

[strumminsix]

Bringing back this older thread....

I am going in for a re-fitting on my westones and curious if others experienced the problems I have:
1 - with only a 9db filter feels like what I thought the 15db filters would be like!
2 - uneven spacial attenuation. Heavier attentuation in front and behind (monitors & my amp) and less attenuation left and right (the rest of the band)
3 - when I sing they shift and open so mid-word they let in barely attenuation volume

So basically regarding points 1&2 I hear everyone but myself and I think 3 is just a fitting..

Help, please!

[jdsmodulus]

I was at the guitar shop earlier today looking at Shure in ear monitors, I think this is my next purchase. I have always felt that live music whether being watched or played is the main reason for my slight hearing loss. So not really an Earplug but a solution for loud monitors/JBLs! Any thoughts on these would be helpful. After reading DPs transcript I headed right out the door. These are NOT what the dead used nor are they cheap but I think they are really important!

[strumminsix]

JD, I contemplated going to IEM's but for that to work well you really need a dedicated soundguy and the band on board.

A friends band had one guy using IEM's that turned into more trouble than worth with extra feeds from the SBD, issues with monitors and phasing, etc.

[jdsmodulus]

That is exactly what my tech/shop guy said today. I will have to keep researching this. I have seen folks run a simple IEM with a small board with some success.

[Jimkkc]

It's been about two years since my last post, but this topic is something I, like others, deal with everyday. I have worn hearing aids since high-school (I am 38 now) fortunately for me my last hearing test showed that my hearing is essentially the same now as it was 20 years ago - for that I am grateful and lucky. My hearing loss is genetic and classified as "moderate" - I play acoustic guitar everyday and so far have not had consistent ringing in the ears.

I rarely go to shows anymore - mostly because since Chicago 95, I have gone increasingly towards simply acoustic music - but also because of the hearing/high volumes that a typical show attains. I guess my point is to urge those that do not wear the plugs to reconsider. I don't know too much about onstage sound and whether or not plugs interfere with sound clarity, but I do know that what we need is more musicians, not less, playing this great body of music.

[Grateful Dad]

I have tinitus and it SUCKS!!
I gave up playing in jam bands and rock bands mainly because no one cares to play at a volume where the vocals cut through and the band is merely backing up the vocalist(s). The music ends up sounding like mud. The lack of volume consideration among most electric oriented musicians is baffling.
I now play with a country oriented band that still does some rock but at a safe stage volume. The mains are loud for the crowd but not overpowering. If you see people straining to talk to each other in the club your playing you are too loud! The dance floor stays loud enough for the dancers.
Earplugs stink too, I've tried just about every model on the market and find they cut out too much of the music. I just position my bass amp next to the drums and behind the guitar amps to minimize the ringing in the ears after a gig.
If you play with volume hogs, call them on it, your band and singers will appreciate it.

Remember: stage volume low, keep the vocals up front, and let the mains rock the crowd. You'll be a better band for it and your vocalists won't abuse their vocal chords.

Grateful Dad

[Chuckles]

+1 for Grateful Dad!

[ugly rumor]

I agree. Most people go to clubs for the social aspects, not to hear you play. If the music is good, that is better, but usually it is for social enhancement, for lack of a better term. It is very pleasant, and a mark of professionalism to the band, to hear them "play to the room". And that accomplishes what you are there for;to be a tool for the owner to keep business in the house.

I also agree with the posters who expressed dissatisfaction with using plugs playing. The plugs seem to make you feel disconnected. At 53, I do have ringing in the ears, broken in by my first concert, Humble Pie, and reinforced by playing in loud blues and rock bands who thought louder was better. So much to learn, such a hard way to do it. Even then, without earplugs, if it got to me, I would use cigarette filters or twisted napkins. That was better than nothing.

Save your hearing! I gotta go. There's the phone (I think!).

[Rusty the Scoob]

Bringing back this older thread....

I am going in for a re-fitting on my westones and curious if others experienced the problems I have:
1 - with only a 9db filter feels like what I thought the 15db filters would be like!
2 - uneven spacial attenuation. Heavier attentuation in front and behind (monitors & my amp) and less attenuation left and right (the rest of the band)
3 - when I sing they shift and open so mid-word they let in barely attenuation volume

So basically regarding points 1&2 I hear everyone but myself and I think 3 is just a fitting..

Help, please!

1. 9db is significant. You don't need to block out all sound to get protection, IMHO. I like more reduction for motorcycling but 9 db should work for music.

2 & 3 I believe these BOTH have to do with the earplugs fitting poorly. Sounds like they are too small and not forming a good seal.