Never thought I'd say this but...

[Jimryan]

[quote name='tm486' timestamp='1378055830' post='2195231']
This might be a stupid question, but my ears don't hurt/ring after rehearsal and I never get a headache, could I still be damaging my ears? I think we rehearse pretty loud because, although my amp isn't particularly powerful, I find myself having to turn up to pretty much full volume to hear myself. I never [i]feel[/i] like I'm damaging my hearing, but I don't want to take the chance.

Cheers,

Tom
[/quote]

When I started 11 years ago, I was the same. Played with loud guitarists that pushed me to full volume too. Felt fine at the time...now I'm being referred to audiologists. I guess it affects us all differently, but it's not worth the risk IMO.

[discreet]

[quote name='tm486' timestamp='1378055830' post='2195231']
This might be a stupid question, but my ears don't hurt/ring after rehearsal and I never get a headache, could I still be damaging my ears? I think we rehearse pretty loud because, although my amp isn't particularly powerful, I find myself having to turn up to pretty much full volume to hear myself. I never [i]feel[/i] like I'm damaging my hearing, but I don't want to take the chance.
[/quote]

If you get a whistling or ringing in your ears the day after a gig or rehearsal then you're damaging your hearing. But you still may be damaging your hearing even if you don't. Have a look at this:

[url="http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/"]http://www.dangerous...ime-guidelines/[/url]

If in doubt I'd get some ear protection anyway - you don't want to take risks with your hearing.

Edited September 1, 2013 by discreet

[JapanAxe]

I've got a free app called NoiseWatch on my Android phone - could be handy for convincing fellow band members to turn down. I use it to point out to certain colleagues how loudly they are arguing in the office!

[tm486]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1378056050' post='2195237']
If you get a whistling or ringing in your ears the day after a gig or rehearsal then you're damaging your hearing. But you still may be damaging your hearing even if you don't. Have a look at this:

[url="http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/"]http://www.dangerous...ime-guidelines/[/url]

If in doubt I'd get some ear protection anyway - you don't want to take risks with your hearing.
[/quote]

That's really interesting, we certainly don't rehearse as loud as a rock concert, but I'd certainly say we are louder than a hair dryer (~1 hour limit). It seems like it's certainly worth investing in a decent set of ear plugs. I can get free earplugs from work, which I always wear when on-site, but I've never worn them at a rehearsal. If i'm likely to be wearing them at rehearsal it'll probably be worth investing in some decent plugs.

Thanks,

Tom

[Roland Rock]

I bought the ACS custom jobs with 15db filters. Our band is actually quite quiet, so I don't use them while playing. I always have them in while watching other bands though. Also, the filters pop out and my ER4 headphones pop in, and the sound quality is extraordinary.

[discreet]

[quote name='tm486' timestamp='1378057181' post='2195270']
...Thanks...
[/quote]

You're welcome Tom. You can't be too careful, AFAIC.

[Bassic]

Being a hobby bedroom bassist, I dont really know that much about playing or play loud gigs, but having developed it from arthritis in my jaw, one thing I do know, tinnitus is misery and once you have it you have it forever or until your brain switches it off which may take many years.

If I could offer any advice at all on this forum look after your ears and don't worry what the plugs look like as long as they are effective!!!!

[ambient]

Slightly off topic, but the in ear buds for Ipods and the like cause damage too.

Better off with a pair of proper headphones.

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1378041323' post='2194968']
I love my new earplugs.

My hearing and tinnitus are both getting increasing worse (to the point I've been referred to hospital). I've always hated ear plugs. I've used various cheap ones over the years, and looking back, it's using the cheaper ones, that has given me the view of "they're all rubbish and just muffle everything".

I've started playing for a band as a dep getting ready for a gig of theirs. The first rehearsal was loud. Since I received the hospital appointment, I've ignored my opinions and used the foam plugs. Couldn't hear a thing, but I felt better for it afterwards. The second rehearsal? I had a pair of foam plugs wedged in place and the rehearsal was so loud my ears were physically sore with plugs in. Why do people play in rehearsal rooms louder than they'd gig? After that, I said I wasn't going back if it's ever that loud again.

After this incident, I went into town, and bought some ear plugs from *shudders* music room.

£26 later, I've got a set with the changeable filters (these ones [url="http://www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/0421593/details.html"]http://www.musicroom...93/details.html[/url]). I put in the highest level filters, put them in the box and onto my key ring and remained sceptical. Though I was curious to "hear" the difference. Come Saturday night, I'm out and end up in a bar/club with a full PA at a DJ's disposal and thought I'd give them a try as they were on my keys.

WOW! Speech sounds normal, all the little noises can be heard, but this once monstrous PA has become a stereo in the living room. My mate questioned what I looked so pleased about and explained I had them in, apparently they couldn't even be seen.

So, I'm converted. I've always been aware of the importance of wearing them, I guess it's all about finding the right pair.

Dead chuffed.
[/quote]

Thing is - Without them, you'd probably be mostly deaf by age 60. Not a nice thought (if you are intending to live beyond that age). It's good to hear (hehe) your thoughts on them, because I was looking at earplugs recently, and I was specifically going to get the ones with the different filters on them.

[Oopsdabassist]

[quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1378041323' post='2194968']
£26 later, I've got a set with the changeable filters (these ones [url="http://www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/0421593/details.html"]http://www.musicroom...93/details.html[/url]). Dead chuffed.
[/quote]

Got mine from Amazon.....cheaper too!

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-Music-Safe-Filter-Plugs/dp/B000VO8PR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378104032&sr=8-1&keywords=Alpine%3A+Hearing+Protection+Ear+Plugs"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-Music-Safe-Filter-Plugs/dp/B000VO8PR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378104032&sr=8-1&keywords=Alpine%3A+Hearing+Protection+Ear+Plugs[/url]

[ead]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1378072258' post='2195611']
Slightly off topic, but the in ear buds for Ipods and the like cause damage too.

Better off with a pair of proper headphones.
[/quote]

I think it's more about the volume than the whether it's ear buds or headphones, both can cause damage, the bundled Apple items are pants though. They were the first thing I replaced with some quality Westone items that form a good acoustic seal so that I can hear everything without cranking the volume and as a result battery life on the iPod is much improved.

Also worth considering a simple headphone amp that will take the digital signal from the iPod (from the long flat plug) and put it through a decent DAC rather than the horrible cheap circuit Apple use to power the headphone socket.

Edited September 2, 2013 by ead

[DarkHeart]

Gigged last night for the first time with the Music safe pro ear plugs, it felt and sounded odd, i used the middle of the filters and it was almost like playing in my own bubble (if that makes sence) i struggled at times to hear the vocals and certain keyboard parts but i had no ringing sensation in my ears afterwardss keeping me awake, im going to try the other filters at future gigs and decide which ones best but just for being able to sleep when i got home ill give them the thumbs up.

[MoonBassAlpha]

I had ONE rehearsal with a loud drummer, near his crash. He was wearing earplugs, so I don't think he realised how loud he was playing. This ONE practice has given me tinnitus.