tonyclaret Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Hi, I've been to the audiologist today, as I have been misinterpreting words recently. So thought not everyone can be talking sh1t. Turns out my earing has been shot at, lost 40% coverage in the high frequency range and it has been caused by noise exposure, ie playing in band for 25 years. I have been advised to prevent further damage to invest in some specialist ear plugs for musicians. Has anyone else suffered for hearing damage, earplug advice? I understand Proguard are one of the best earplugs out there? Cheers Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 there's a thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=533"]here[/url] which has some info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geilerbass Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I have tinnitus in both ears and some hearing loss in the high mids in my right ear. I've used these for a number of years and I think I've just about managed to hold back any further significant damage. [url="http://elacin.com/en/product/85/Elacin-Music-ER25"]Elacin ER25[/url] They're very expensive for a pair of earplugs, but I felt that where my hearing was concerned it was worth it. I've heard that the ER20 plugs are also very good - obviously not on the same level as the ER25s, but much better value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8 Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I ended up with the ER25's as the 15's didn't take the volume down enough for me to to prevent tinitus. Expensive but not looked back. Really comfy and i don't get tinitus now. My hearing was shot from working in a riveting bay for 5 years but i don't want to loose anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMech Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I think I mentioned it to a mod before, but I still think that earplug thread should be in the general bass section where more people would read it. Surely such an important issue should be given maximum visibility on the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) I use a set of Etymotic research plugs now, at least 1 on my drummers side. Or if I'm playing drums it's both in all the time, drums are the worst for it. So flaming deaf it's unreal, I struggle to hear people if theres busy background noise sometimes, even if it's not that loud. And I've managed to pick up some lip reading just because I struggle to hear people. Edited August 23, 2011 by Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shonks Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 ay?? speak up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 My hearing is shot and the "straw that broke the camels back" was a different guitarist for each side. I was using foam plugs back then and, like an idiot, I hadn't put them in. Now I'm paying the price! The ER15's are the most important piece of kit I’ve bought since my first bass. I've been using them for the last 4 years and they are the only thing keeping me gigging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I got some ACS ER15's. Worth every penny! Don't even think about it, just get some. They're comfy, reduce the sound level and allow you to hear everything still. Yes they're £165, but you'll make that back in a few gigs, or buying smaller blocks of cheese in your weekly food shop. You won't look back. +1 for making it a more clearer obvious to find thread in General Bass Discussion. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='ZMech' post='1348686' date='Aug 23 2011, 08:42 AM']I think I mentioned it to a mod before, but I still think that earplug thread should be in the general bass section where more people would read it. Surely such an important issue should be given maximum visibility on the forum.[/quote] +100. I think there should be a permanent pinned thread about ear plugs and general hearing protection. IMO ear plugs are [b]the[/b] most important "accessory" for a musician. People think nothing about paying a lot of money for other accessories, but often neglect the most important one. If your hearing is damaged beyond repair, it renders all the other "accessories" void. Custom made ear plugs are expensive, but your hearing is priceless. Even if you cant afford these ones, then some kind of hearing protection is prudent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurbs Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I got some of these: [url="http://www.acscustom.com/uk/"]http://www.acscustom.com/uk/[/url] Awesome bit of kit, well worth 1/4 of the price of a decent guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Wearing proper earplugs means I will be able to continue playing and nurser along what remains of my hearing for a few more years. I wear hearing aids in both ears and have tinnitus - both caused by exposure to too much loud music. I bought ER15s - I found ER25s too much, possibly because of the damage already there - I couldn't imagine not wearing them now. I no longer get ringing in my ears after gigging/rehearsing, don't shout when I get home 'How did it go?' 'BRILLIANT THANKS' 'Stop shouting!' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='sk8' post='1348680' date='Aug 23 2011, 08:32 AM']I ended up with the ER25's as the 15's didn't take the volume down enough for me to to prevent tinitus. Expensive but not looked back. Really comfy and i don't get tinitus now. My hearing was shot from working in a riveting bay for 5 years but i don't want to loose anymore![/quote] Nice to see that your riveting company looked after your health, safety and welfare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Some (too many) of us are playing at stupidly high volume levels. I currently use more watts than my first 2 bands put together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Yeah, the ACS ER15's are what I use. I used to use foam plugs with the exception of about the first 5 gigs/rehearsals I did and frankly that was awful. I've been on at my guitarist to get some for years, but he's not interested/can't afford it. After a decade of foam usage so to speak, the ACS stuff was a revelation. Everything was just taken down to the level of a mildly loud stereo. The only slight drawback (and I use the word SLIGHT) is that the 1.5kHz area is somewhat attenuated more than everything else. So, you can lose some of your percieved sound as it were. I didn't care. It's worth keeping my hearing as I'll be damned if I'm going to play quietly. A friend of mine plays keys and the hearing loss there is really, really extreme. Basically, everything in a band context that is approaching even moderate jazz band levels causes a total breakdown and it all becomes mush due to the tinnnitus, so as a result unless we rehearsed at less than bedroom volume it proved impossible. I'd hate to have that happen to any talented musician. What price our hearing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8 Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='silddx' post='1348929' date='Aug 23 2011, 12:47 PM']Nice to see that your riveting company looked after your health, safety and welfare [/quote] They did but hearing loss still happened. At least i got a hearing check every year to see the damage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyclaret Posted August 23, 2011 Author Share Posted August 23, 2011 Great response peeps. How do I determine which set is for me? Obviously £160 a throw I want it to be right first time, rather than buying filter after filter till I get there. I was looking for somewhere in my area colne,lancashire that may be able to assist. I fear if I get er25 I won't be able to hear a thing. Is there a retailer out there where you can try the varying types of filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='tonyclaret' post='1349260' date='Aug 23 2011, 06:09 PM']Great response peeps. How do I determine which set is for me? Obviously £160 a throw I want it to be right first time, rather than buying filter after filter till I get there. I was looking for somewhere in my area colne,lancashire that may be able to assist. I fear if I get er25 I won't be able to hear a thing. Is there a retailer out there where you can try the varying types of filter?[/quote] I started with ACS ER25's but they took out too much for me so I just ordered replacement filters (15's) theyre easy to change over and are only £50 a pair as you don't need new moulds just the filters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I think everyone has said the same thing, but I will echo it ER15 or ER25. I got mine done at Boots (one of the large ones with an audiologist - Boots Hearing Care). I got the 15 filters, but they war not strong enough when I was drumming, so I got the 25s for that. But for bass and guitar playing the 15s are fine for me at least. Took me a few gigs to get used to them, but to be frank the fact that I had shelled out for them made me get used to them, so as not to waste the money. And now, I cannot play without them. In loud pub venues I put them in when I arrive, and don't take them out until I leave at the end of the night. They turn everyone down nicely but you can still hear quiet things too, and have normal conversations. YOU MUST GET SOME ASAP. I would sell a bass just to keep mine. They are that good and that important. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='tonyclaret' post='1349260' date='Aug 23 2011, 06:09 PM']....How do I determine which set is for me?....[/quote] There should be an audiologist in all large Boots stores. They make the mould and send it off to be made into the plugs. I was recommended ER15's, they are ACS’s standard protection for musicians. They told me that ER25's would be better for heavy metal drummers. It sounds like my hearing probably isn't quite as bad as yours but I find ER15's have worked well for me, even in very loud guitar oriented bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='sk8' post='1348971' date='Aug 23 2011, 01:22 PM']They did but hearing loss still happened. At least i got a hearing check every year to see the damage![/quote] They did not look after you! Otherwise you would still have your hearing. Sorry, I'm on my soapbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 [quote name='sk8' post='1348971' date='Aug 23 2011, 01:22 PM']They did but hearing loss still happened. At least i got a hearing check every year to see the damage![/quote] They did not look after you! Otherwise you would still have your hearing. Sorry, I'm on my soapbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Started wearing plugs only about 2 years ago after a rehearsal where I was next to a PA speaker & could feel the inside of my head vibrating. From then on it's been plugs all the way for me - I value my hearing too much not to wear them as I'd still like to be able to enjoy listening to music when I'm in my old age (if I get there that is...). I've got a set of Alpines that set me back about £30, but a set of moulded plugs is on my want list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 YUP! I use ER15/25's too and I have tinnitus from playing without plugs in the past. I also have a drop in hearing response in certain treble frequencies. I too find it difficult to concentrate on some conversations in noisy places such as bars and pubs because of this, especially with background music and lots of conversations going at once. Even worse when the people talking have soft voices. I also have the problem of being 6'3". I'm usually towering over people and thus I cannae hear the conversation when they are facing each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 i went to order some ER 15's. Then i found out after the mould that my ears are too small so they made me some pro 1's. These are the best investment iv ever made, its made practices and gigs much more bearable. The thing with my pro 1s are is they are the size of a 5p coin whereas my drummers ER15's are like £2 coins lol But even if your not playing that regular, the moulded earplugs are worth every penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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