Billy Apple Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) I was talking to a specialist audiologist Doctor last week and he says ear plugs don’t work. The reason being is that much of what you hear is picked up from the bone just behind your lug-flaps. His recommendation is ear defenders as they cover the bone too. also tinnitus is not fully understood and is just as likely to be blood pressure or neurological. Edited August 6, 2019 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 There probably is sound transferred through the bone (probably lower frequencies rather than higher frequencies) but take an ear plug out mid set and hear the difference. IMO they are definitely reducing the volume getting to the ear drum. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 I guess it depends what you want to achieve as to whether they work or not. I hate the ringing I used to get after seeing bands or practicing with a loud drummer. I also used to get headaches after prolonged practices at full volume, which then made me feel awful the following day. I started using earplugs with a certain level of dB reduction and all that went away, so I guess for what I wanted to achieve they work wonders. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 4, 2019 Author Share Posted August 4, 2019 2 minutes ago, NJE said: I started using earplugs with a certain level of dB reduction How much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 God I bought them a decade ago, I want to say 15 or 20db. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) 55 minutes ago, Billy Apple said: I was talking to a specialist audiologist Doctor last week and he says ear plugs don’t work. The reason being is that much of what you hear is picked up from the bone just behind your lug-flaps. His recommendation is ear defenders as they cover the bone too. also tinnitus is not fully understood and is just as likely to be blood pressure or neurological. I developed tinnitus many years ago which started to really drag me down; I had it for a good couple of years. Then when I first went to a chiropractor for my back problems, he adjusted my neck and it went instantly. In my case it was definitely neurological. My cervical discs are a bit of a mess and it creeps back occasionally, but an adjustment normally sorts it. I am considering getting some decent earplugs though as my hearing is starting to suffer at gigs, and we’re an acoustic band with cajon, no drums, so not loud at all. Anybody have any suggestions? Edited August 4, 2019 by 4000 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 @4000 I use these, they work great for me, look pretty cool too. Wish I'd had them a few years ago tbh https://www.ear-plugs.co.uk/products/isolate-aluminium-ear-plugs Interesting to hear about your tinnitus, I developed it about 2 years ago and whilst it's not too bad, it does P me off and I'd love to get rid. Did your chiro do anything specifically or was it an accidental bonus of back/neck work (my back is knackered too) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 Thanks for the tip. I do have trouble with ear plugs staying my ears so that could be an issue, but it’s a bit of a “suck it and see” unfortunately, short of getting custom ones made. In terms of the chiro, no, just a typical “ craaaaaack!” rotational neck adjustment. It wasn’t planned, just a very, very happy by-product. I have several prolapsed discs, lumbar, thoracic and cervical. The downside of the initial neck adjustment was that it affected the nerves in my right arm, which have never been the same since and which intermittently cause me great discomfort and also affect my playing and writing/typing/mouse work etc. I only go for chiro now when I’m really suffering because it can be a bit touch and go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) The ACS PRO17s have changed by life. A flat response, I can have conversations at a normal level with them in, and I can sing without it feeling strange. Custom moulded, and only £40 quid(!!!!) via the Musician's hearing scheme. Incredible. I don't know what the audiologist referred to in the OP is on about, but when I gig with these in there seems to be absolutely nothing that could damage my hearing. I'd need to know more. Edited August 4, 2019 by wateroftyne 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 Dont care who he is or what his qualifications are, but he is wrong. I have used quality ear plugs for years and they have made a huge difference. Over ear defenders are good for industrial noise but hopeless for gigs where you need to hear the music, but quieter. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 2 minutes ago, mikel said: Dont care who he is or what his qualifications are, but he is wrong. I have used quality ear plugs for years and they have made a huge difference. Over ear defenders are good for industrial noise but hopeless for gigs where you need to hear the music, but quieter. I'm thinking... 4 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, wateroftyne said: The ACS PRO17s have changed by life. A flat response, I can have conversations at a normal level with them in, and I can sing without it feeling strange. Custom moulded, and only £40 quid(!!!!) via the Musician's hearing scheme. Incredible. I don't know what the audiologist referred to in the OP is on about, but when I gig with these in there seems to be absolutely nothing that could damage my hearing. I'd need to know more. Does this scheme apply to semi-pro too? I certainly haven’t earned the bulk of my income from playing. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 1 hour ago, chris_b said: There probably is sound transferred through the bone (probably lower frequencies rather than higher frequencies) but take an ear plug out mid set and hear the difference. IMO they are definitely reducing the volume getting to the ear drum. Indeed. To say that earplugs don't work is a very unfortunate and misleading statement, and I hope nobody reads it and goes "ah, I'll do without then" 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) 5 minutes ago, 4000 said: Does this scheme apply to semi-pro too? I certainly haven’t earned the bulk of my income from playing. 😉 It worked for me 🙂 Edited August 4, 2019 by wateroftyne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 27 minutes ago, DoubleOhStephan said: @4000 I use these, they work great for me, look pretty cool too. Wish I'd had them a few years ago tbh https://www.ear-plugs.co.uk/products/isolate-aluminium-ear-plugs Interesting to hear about your tinnitus, I developed it about 2 years ago and whilst it's not too bad, it does P me off and I'd love to get rid. Did your chiro do anything specifically or was it an accidental bonus of back/neck work (my back is knackered too) I have used those Isolate ones, and I liked them. They attenuate a lot, and the response is not flat, but on stage I could hear what I needed to hear pretty well. I have gone back to custom moulded ACS -17db, which allow me to feel a bit more 'connected', but I still like the Isolate ones and use them sometimes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 15 minutes ago, wateroftyne said: The ACS PRO17s have changed by life. A flat response, I can have conversations at a normal level with them in, and I can sing without it feeling strange. Custom moulded, and only £40 quid(!!!!) via the Musician's hearing scheme. Incredible. I don't know what the audiologist referred to in the OP is on about, but when I gig with these in there seems to be absolutely nothing that could damage my hearing. I'd need to know more. Amazing price!!! I paid about £110-120 for mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 4, 2019 Author Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) 14 minutes ago, wateroftyne said: I'm thinking... No. A consultant in a well known London hospital. Who is working with the construction industry to help with long term hearing loss of construction workers. Also works with classical orchestra musicians. Edited August 4, 2019 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) @mcnach Tbh I've only used them in the studio, but our guitarist and keyboardist were in constant competition to be heard, so within 30mins we were at serious volume 🙄😁 @wateroftyne That scheme is really interesting, I'm not playing atm but when I'm back in the groove I'll take a look at the ACS's 👍🏻 Edited August 4, 2019 by DoubleOhStephan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy23cricket Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 Get IEM, you will never look back. Ear plugs/defenders are so old tech. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 12 minutes ago, jimmy23cricket said: Get IEM, you will never look back. Ear plugs/defenders are so old tech. Have thought about this too, but not sure where to start. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 31 minutes ago, Billy Apple said: No. A consultant in a well known London hospital. Who is working with the construction industry to help with long term hearing loss of construction workers. Also works with classical orchestra musicians. Right... if he’s right, he needs to shout about it a bit more because I suspect 99.9% of us are being mislead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 Yeah, you do hear through bone to some extent (they do a test through the back of your skull as part of a thorough hearing test, which is a bit freaky) but your eardrums do the heavy lifting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 (edited) 5 minutes ago, wateroftyne said: Right... if he’s right, he needs to shout about it a bit more because I suspect 99.9% of us are being mislead. I can't find anything online thay suggests ear plugs don't work, there is guidance about use (making sure they're in correctly etc) but all the reports I can find indicate they're as good as ear defenders. @Billy Apple does your man have any peer reviewed studies published we could take a look at (don't expect an answer now, just if you could ask when you next speak)? Since developing tinnitus I've become more protective over my hearing so want to make sure I'm fully informed 👍🏻 Edited August 4, 2019 by DoubleOhStephan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted August 4, 2019 Author Share Posted August 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, wateroftyne said: Right... if he’s right, he needs to shout about it a bit more because I suspect 99.9% of us are being mislead. He was talking about how humans hear and that it’s a misconception that sound is just detected via the ear canal. As far as I’m concerned he is shouting about it, maybe people don’t want to listen? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy23cricket Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 23 minutes ago, 4000 said: Have thought about this too, but not sure where to start. Any suggestions? There is a wealth of info on this very forum about this. Also, some much more knowledgeable folk who can help. Search IEM and it will pop up. The only thing I can say is, don’t be intimidated...it’s really quite simple, but oh so worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.