Ear Plugs

[lowhand_mike]

well first time after practice last night my left ear was really hurting, still is to be honest so i think now is the time to do something about it (might be a bit late but better than not at all) seeing as my amp is now really chucking out the volume.
so is it possible to pull over the sticky from the last forum or shall we just start afresh.

recommendations

Edited May 22, 2007 by lowhand_mike

[Snarf]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='4287' date='May 22 2007, 01:12 PM']well first time after practice last night my left ear was really hurting, still is to be honest so i think now is the time to do something about it (might be a bit late but better than not at all) seeing as my amp is now really chucking out the volume.
so is it possible to pull over the sticky from the last forum or shall we just start afresh.

recommendations[/quote]

Ach, my right ear is significantly more ringy than my left from playing with loud drummers. I've got a pair of Doc pro's that I use for gigs and I usually use some slightly more non foam hardcore ones (forget what they are, picked 'em up from a music shop) for practice as we used to do it in a small room.

Get some doc pro's, they're about 12 quid and worth getting.

[Scorchin]

Definately recommend the Etymotic ER-20's, found them cheapest here: [url="http://www.audilo.co.uk/ER20-Hi-Fi-Musician-Earplugs-pr-16138.html"]http://www.audilo.co.uk/ER20-Hi-Fi-Musicia...s-pr-16138.html[/url]

$8.99 and bit more for delivery. Arrived within 3 days.

Scorchin

[lowhand_mike]

[quote name='phatmonkey' post='4298' date='May 22 2007, 01:21 PM']Might be sensible to copy over the important bits of the sticky.[/quote]

would you like me to do that or is it a moderator thing?

[chris_b]

Your ears hurt or ring after playing loud music.... you have just suffered ear damage and have lost some of your hearing ability. If you continue you will accumulate more damage until you hearing is severely impaired. This is fact.

Protect yourself. Do it properly, don't skimp; don't think your doing a good job by saving pennies. I have had to start looking for a better solution than foam plugs and I have found it. Check out Advanced Communication Solutions on the web, www.hearingprotection.co.uk.

These moulded plugs are approx £160 but they cut db across the whole range. They are expensive but they are good, they work and they protect you. You have to get used to the feel of plugs in your ears and the other band members will take the piss, but you might not be able to play in a band in a few years time if you do not do this properly.

[lowhand_mike]

totally agree chris but at the moment i am skint so i am going to have to compromise for a while till i can get the money together for some top notch ones, so any suggestions for us hard up bassits would be useful along with the custom jobbies.

[chris_b]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='4326' date='May 22 2007, 01:44 PM']totally agree chris but at the moment i am skint so i am going to have to compromise for a while till i can get the money together for some top notch ones, so any suggestions for us hard up bassits would be useful along with the custom jobbies.[/quote]

I understand... I used the "Soft Disposable Foam Earplugs" from Boots for years. They are not the greatest as they take out all the top end and most of the clarity, but they do protect you and they are the cheapest. You can see Superbike and Moto GP racers etc using these all the time. I brought Hearos when I was in Florida last year but haven't used them yet. They might be a step up from foam plugs. Good luck.

[lowhand_mike]

these are copied over, i have simplified it a bit and if anyone doesn't want their post in here then it can be edited out, will try and get the rest of the important stuff over too.

mods if this is wrong then feel free to delete.

______________________________________________


chardbass
Aug 9 2005, 08:12 PM
Post #1


Luke's 'Ear Problems' post got me thinking- anyone got any preferences to the kind of plugs they use? It would make interesting reading- if you don't use plugs- cool- but lets not get into the rights and wrongs. They generally suck, but then so does tinitus.
I find that the rubbery plugs that have 3 sections and claim to cut out certain frequencies actually accentuate all those horrible boxy mids i.e. snare drum, and make matters worse. I use the Boots foam fellas for pure ear defence- the problem is, they wipe out all that top end that stops you from bashing the hell out of the strings. Net result- aching wrists and pending RSI.
Anyone gone the whole hog and tried the real expensive stuff?



dood
Aug 10 2005, 12:23 AM
Post #2


I have mild tinitus and yes, have gone the whole hog. um, I wrote a really long post a while back about the plugs I bought, but in summary, I went to a hearing specialist who sent me to an Audiologist to have moulds of the inside of my ears made. they send them off to a company like Etymotic/Elacin blah blah who make the moulds into inserts with specific rated filters in them.
They REALLY ARE the dogs doo-dahs and are worth the money. I wear them to gigs, I wear them to practice, and when I'm playing. I wont go into rights n wrongs, as above, but I personally (tho young.... ish) HAVE to look after my ears now.. and my back!! ;o)



dood
Aug 10 2005, 12:24 AM
Post #4


[url="http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx"]http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx[/url]

here!


dood
Aug 10 2005, 12:26 AM
Post #5


oh.. and I found out that with an adaptor I can plug in pro earphones and make professional in ear monitors at a drastically reduced cost weh hey!!



chardbass
Aug 10 2005, 12:39 AM
Post #7




How much did the plugs set u back if you don't mind me asking Dan?



Urb
Aug 10 2005, 10:45 AM
Post #8


I believ they are about 200 quid - which in the scheme of things is a very small price to pay to keep your hearing - I am planning on getting some of these really soon as well - thers'a palce on Harley Street that makes them. I use those plugs that are sold in drum shops at present - they have three concentric silcone cones that go into your ear - they really cut out the high-frequencies - that do most of the damage and for about 15quid I think they are pretty good - but not as good as the ones molded to your lugs. Watever you do where ear plugs - I have mild tinitus and I am very concerned it doesn't get any worse - I don't have an iPod for that reason alone - earphones do almost more damage in the long term than lots of loud gigs / band practices - that's how Pete Townsend lost his hearing - that and Keith Moon blowing up his drum kit righ next to his left ear!

Look after yourself - this ain't no joke.

Mike



Johnny_BoomBoom
Aug 10 2005, 11:29 AM
Post #9



Until I can get the proper custom fit moulded jobs, I use ER-20 plugs. These have the 3 concentric section (side on it looks Xmas tree like) and I find them really good. I wear them to gigs, practise and any gigs we perform. They have a flat frequency response which cuts everything by upto 20dB (if you fit them right!).

I also am a biker and have had custom fit jobs made for that (not worried about freqnecy response there and they were only £45 at a bike show!!). At 60 mph the noise inside your lid can hit 105dB or more (and that's just wind noise)........so that can do a fair bit of damage as well!



lampmeister
Aug 10 2005, 12:08 PM
Post #10




Anyone know what these are like?

[url="http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/mu001.asp?hd=4"]http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/mu001.asp?hd=4[/url]

Dave.


--------------------

Big Ear Location Recording



funky_bass_guy
Aug 10 2005, 06:10 PM
Post #11


QUOTE

Until I can get the proper custom fit moulded jobs, I use ER-20 plugs

Same here! They sound fairly good there isnt that, is my amp really on when you play high notes with foam earplugs.


--------------------
White Lime - www.myspace.com/whitelime



Muppet
Aug 10 2005, 06:44 PM
Post #12


I'm a biker too and use www.ultimateear.com custom moulded plugs.



Urb
Aug 10 2005, 07:47 PM
Post #13



QUOTE(Johnny_BoomBoom)
Until I can get the proper custom fit moulded jobs, I use ER-20 plugs. These have the 3 concentric section (side on it looks Xmas tree like) and I find them really good.


Those are the ones I use - I just didn't know the exact name - they really are good and you can still hear enough to actually feel you're still part of the band - not like you have your head in a load oif cotton wool - i.e. like the foam ones make you feel. I often think when I get some of those designer ones that I'll actrually wear them on the tube here in London - as sometimes the screeches and scrapes on some parts of the Victoria line are seriously f-ing loud!

Anyway - protect your ears - young folks 'listen' to us older and deafer bassists - it's serious business!

M



chardbass
Aug 10 2005, 07:56 PM
Post #14


Pardon?



dood
Aug 10 2005, 08:40 PM
Post #15


QUOTE(chardbass)
How much did the plugs set u back if you don't mind me asking Dan?


£160 inc p&p/vat etc



dood
Aug 10 2005, 08:42 PM
Post #16



QUOTE(lampmeister)
Anyone know what these are like?

[url="http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/mu001.asp?hd=4"]http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/mu001.asp?hd=4[/url]

Dave.


under musicians, anything prefixed with ER is pretty much gonna be Etymotic Research. They are the people that make the filters themselves. There are many companies 'out there' making the moulds and supplying ER products (ER also go under the names Elacin and HEROS).

I went thro' www.adcomservices.co.uk who were excellent.



dood
Aug 10 2005, 08:44 PM
Post #17


oh, generally, the ER20 are the premoulded sorts you can pick up for between 9 quid and 15,

whereas the ER9 ER15 and ER25 model numbers, refer to the filters for the one you get moulded to your ears.


LukeWard2004
Aug 11 2005, 10:12 AM
Post #18



Besides my ear problems, i usually use Etymotic Research ER-20's, they are quite good considering they cost bugger all.

Im only 20, and i find im the only one in my band to wear Earplugs at all, barring our drummer. Our drummer uses In Ear monitors to listen to his Click track, and the monitors block out all external noise so he is normally tinitus free after a practise.

My Singer doesnt wear earplugs as he says he can never really hear what he is singing properly and he feels too "Away" from the show. Our Guitarist is the same.

I think im going to invest in some moulded plugs in the future...



funky_bass_guy
Aug 11 2005, 10:50 AM
Post #19




Im the only one in my band who wears them too.


brycebites
Aug 11 2005, 11:08 AM
Post #20



And me. Does being half the age of the next youngest member make a difference? :?

Options
LukeWard2004
Aug 11 2005, 11:29 AM
Post #21


Well i guess it may be the ignorance of youth, although i am the youngest....Im 20, my guitarist is 21, drummer 20, and singer is 23.


homerplaysbass
Aug 11 2005, 11:52 AM
Post #22



You should protect your ears - period. Damage occurs gradually and often unnoticed until you become an old git like me and you have trouble hearing the television etc. Take it from me, I have mild tinnitus and it's not funny, and what's worse is, I don't hear low frequencies too well now so I can't wear earplugs, if I do, I have trouble hearing my bass in a band situation.

This came to light when sound checking where I have to rely on others to help me set my volume 'cos if it's left to me, I always set it way too high but it sounds quiet to me.



dood
Aug 11 2005, 06:24 PM
Post #23


QUOTE(homerplaysbass)


This came to light when sound checking where I have to rely on others to help me set my volume 'cos if it's left to me, I always set it way too high but it sounds quiet to me.


no, i think you infact are hearing things just fine mate .. it's those bloody guitarist who winge like babies when they cant hear their Newfangledo Turbo Gazzilion Watt 64x12 Enormo Stack. The bass player usually gets moaned at he hehe !



homerplaysbass
Aug 11 2005, 06:30 PM
Post #24



QUOTE

no, i think you infact are hearing things just fine mate .. it's those bloody guitarist who winge like babies when they cant hear their Newfangledo Turbo Gazzilion Watt 64x12 Enormo Stack. The bass player usually gets moaned at he hehe !


Bastards! I knew they were up to something



surelybassie
Aug 20 2005, 11:25 PM
Post #25


I suffer from tinitus (both ears) and noticable high frequency loss of hearing in my right ear.
I just recently paid £180 for a pair of ER 15's. I wish they'd been around 30years ago.
They're great when I remember to pack them, or even find them.
Last time I lost them they turned up in the pocket of my best black trousers, not the obvious place to look when one is dashing out to a blues / rock gig!
I have used the much cheaper (about £6.99) hearplugs from allearplugs.com, they are better than nothing, and are worth keeping as spares in your gig bag.
But did you know, volume controls do turn anticlockwise! The only prob is most drummers do not have volume controls and I think most of the damage to my hearing has been caused by close proximity to snare drums and cymbals.
Beware, one G.P. told me there were only two cures for tinitus, total deafness by surgical operation, or suicide!
So if you can't avoid being within earshot of that rimshot or other high level sound source,
get plugged!



dtbmx
Aug 20 2005, 11:41 PM
Post #26



i dont know about wearing them for gigs, but they sure come in use when you are getting a rollocking of your mom for not enjoying shopping lol




peted
Aug 21 2005, 09:06 AM
Post #27


Is it just me or do all bassists always get the short straw and have to stand right next to the cymbals at a band practice. My wife is always moaning that i'm not listening to her but all I hear is mMMGMM GMMmhhmm Mhhg (everything is a bit muffled). Luckily my range is still OK I just have to lip read a little. I now use Doc's Pro Plugs that I got from Sound Control [url="http://www.proplugs.com/"]http://www.proplugs.com/[/url]. They seem to do a good job at cutting out those horrible cymbals and snare.

On the plus side it actually makes my bass louder so I don't have to compete with the guitarist. I can happily have my amp at a low volume and still hear it through to mix with my plugs in. I use the vented version and as you can see:



They let in all of the frequencies that i'm producing and dampen the rest.



jonc
Aug 29 2005, 07:28 PM
Post #28



I'm looking to go the whole hog, earplug wise that is and want to get a pair of the ER-15s. Does anybody have any contact details for places in london where I can get started?

Much appreciated



pitchfork
Feb 20 2006, 08:09 PM
Post #29




Hey guys i think i might be going deaf in one ear. I've noticed this feeling like i've got something stuck in my ear (i know there isn't because i haven't put anything in there) and then my hearing is muffled as well. Could it just be an ear infection or is it something worse.



fragility
Feb 20 2006, 08:18 PM
Post #30



Definately go to the doctors! Could be anything from a build up of wax and you'll just need it syringing, all the way to something serious, get it checked out!



pitchfork
Feb 20 2006, 08:30 PM
Post #31


Will do, have to make an appointment tomorow.



dood
Feb 20 2006, 08:32 PM
Post #32


Fragility is sopt on.. I have had exactly the same thing, but your hearing is important, the doc' is the best bet! ;o)

oh, and syringing is great! .. but I am wierd.. it's like a mini jet wash!! (there are no needles involved.



jhferret
Feb 20 2006, 09:12 PM
Post #33



Apart from the Doctor we are not doctors so its best get it checked out.

Aquired Hearing Loss is sometimes accompanied by permenant tinnitus. It is usually more common in the ear closest to the drummer. All the guys in my band have it, but the drummer says his is the ear closest to the bass (dont know what he means:-)



Drpepper99uk
Feb 20 2006, 09:34 PM
Post #34



Hello,

Like others have said it's best you go and see a doctor regarding your problem,it might just be a build up of wax or it could be a certain degree of hearing loss.I myself use special acoustic ear plugs when playing:

[url="http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...ERSONAL%20CARE/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...ERSONAL%20CARE/[/url]

If you reason to suspect this problem is due to over exposure to loud music then I'd seriously take heed and at least turn down the levels you play at, or try the above product.

They are very good in loud band situations,and they don't muffle your sound like normal industrial foam earplugs do,especially in the bass frequency department.As a lot of people have said,once your hearing has gone,it's gone for good.

Michael.



Tim73
Feb 20 2006, 09:46 PM
Post #35



I think Fragility is probably spot on with the wax build up... no shame there, just remember to turn the volume down on your ipod when leaving the Doctors having been syringed!

For what it's worth, I think we all worry about our hearing. My Dad was a session drummer in the 60s & his hearing is totally shot. He has a hearing aid & lip-reads (but pretends he's not when caught). Most musicians I know are okay hearing wise but still worry. I had a hearing test a few years ago for work & I was in the exceptional bracket - ironic because I was convinced I would be in the danger zone.

My wife has picked up on my selective hearing though!

Get it checked for piece of mind... Don't half sound like a minor blockage. Get some Ear drops now though because the nurse won't syringe until you have been sticking those in for a few days.



J_K
Feb 20 2006, 11:58 PM
Post #36


QUOTE(Drpepper99uk)
[url="http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...ERSONAL%20CARE/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...ERSONAL%20CARE/[/url]


You absolute gem!!

I've been looking for some of these!!

didn't know what they were called though



RichardH
Feb 21 2006, 09:39 AM
Post #37


I use a branded version of these (www.dontlosethemusic.com), and must admit I think they do knock the top end off the sound - which is a bit of a pain when watching gigs, as you end up feeling a bit disassociated from the performance. Apart from that, they do a great job though.




pitchfork
Feb 21 2006, 10:29 AM
Post #38



Aye i've heard about that syrninging (excuse the pun) apparently you can hear your footsteps walking home sounds like a plan. I doubt I need the earplugs except for going to see bands, the sort of places we play you wouldn't hear the sound with earplugs in.



Rich
Feb 21 2006, 10:52 AM
Post #39



Hey, the ER-20s are getting cheaper! I've been using them for years and they're great.
I think the thing about knocking off some of the top end is the whole point -- AFAIK that it's loud high-frequency spikes (e.g. cymbals) that do the most harm. Open to correction, of course.



nedsbeds
Feb 21 2006, 01:13 PM
Post #40



Get to try out my new toys tomorrow. My new warwick and my new ear plugs! seems kind of daft I spent 1100 on a new bass to make noise, and then spend money on making myself less able to hear it hehe.
Deffinately a good idea though. I know quite a few people who wish they had worn ear plugs earlier in life.

[bass_ferret]

Good work!

[lowhand_mike]

just had a look on stringbusters and they have the ER-20 which are a very reasonable £9.00, heres the link if you missed it in the long post above
[url="http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...ERSONAL%20CARE/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...ERSONAL%20CARE/[/url]

if it doesn't go straight to the page just do a search for earplugs

[lowhand_mike]

Options
jhferret
Feb 21 2006, 09:13 PM
Post #41


QUOTE(nedsbeds)
I know quite a few people who wish they had worn ear plugs earlier in life.


Me for one!



pitchfork
Feb 21 2006, 09:54 PM
Post #42


I'll probably wear them if and when i start playing the bigger venues like hammersmith paladium and brixton academy etc.
But for now its alright, i play 200-300 people club gigs once in a while but its mostly pubs and bars.



nedsbeds
Feb 21 2006, 10:01 PM
Post #43


I find its mainly in rehearsals that I get ringing in my ears, and where the ear plugs would be of most benefit. you are in an enclosed space so it's gonna be more intense on the ears


thumbo
Feb 21 2006, 10:18 PM
Post #44


I wear ear plugs to all gigs and rehearsals I go to and I don't stare at the sun.

I've been using Etymotic ER20s for a while but I want to get some of the custom fit ones. Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they worth it?



pitchfork
Feb 22 2006, 06:07 PM
Post #45


I wouldn't wear them to a gig, ruins the atmosphere and if i mosh ill most probably lose them.



thumbo
Feb 22 2006, 10:16 PM
Post #46


Ruins the atmosphere? That's a bit extreme! I've always found they've made gigs sound better because ear plugs make the harsh volumes more managable for your ear drums.



Greene-King
Feb 22 2006, 11:18 PM
Post #47


I'd strongly endorse what being said here about protecting your hearing.

Hearing loss is permanent.

I suffer quite badly from high tone deafness. Bass playing is okay but I'm the one in the pub quietly drinking me pint and not joining in any conversations because hearing one voice amongst the background is nearly impossible.

A combination of over 35 years of motorcycling, working in ships and submarines and too many Thin Lizzy concerts

Peter



fatrabbit
Feb 23 2006, 09:53 AM
Post #48


Get some custom made earplugs... they cost in the region of £100-160, but - i figure that's it's only money, and you only get one pair of ears (once you have tinnitus/hearing loss, there's no fix). My custom fit ER15s (i think they're called) are great... most people comlpain that plugs ruin gig sound.. but I (along with a lot of other people) think they these improve the sound.. you can hear all the instruments much more clearly and attenuates the sound evenly. I think the website is www.hearingprotection.co.uk

EDIT: and just a side note : you can definately get permanent tinnitus from just one gig - I know : it happened to me!

If you think about it... all this extreme sound (powered by electrical amplification) is only a very recent thing (50 odd years) with levels arguably getting higher and higher. This generation (i'm 19) and the one previous are/have a worrying level of hearing loss/damage. There's still a great stigma surronding protecting your hearing - and unfortunately, most people only realise what great damage they've done only after the fact when it's too late.



Garbs
Jul 12 2006, 01:20 PM
Post #49


How do,

Sorry for having to bring up this depressing post but I too would like to emphasise how important it is to protect your hearing.

I've been playing in bands for over 12 years now and up until a few weeks back never used earplugs as I always thought it "spoiled" the overall sound. I have never listened to music quietly and need it loud to get the "buzz".

I now am paying the price and have bad tinnitus in my left ear - the right ear isn't as bad but I reckon it aint got long left if I don't protect it. I am now wearing Docs Pro Plugs in band practices to prevent any further damage.

I have listened to music at ridiculously loud levels through stereo headphones for years and I'm sure that has added to the damage also.

Basically, the choice is yours. I took a risk and am now paying for it - it's all self inflicted so I can't complain really but loud music does damage your ears - permanently.

Take care.


LukeWard2004
Jul 12 2006, 01:46 PM
Post #50


I wear my ER20's at every practise, gig and anything that envolves loud music.

My Singer and the guitarist for the Natalie band refuses to wear earplugs as he feels it destroys a lot of the "Kick" that comes from the bass and drums, however i would much rather have good ears for music that mean i can enjoy music throughout my life, than have crap hearing.

It wasnt until i took just one earplug out in the middle of the practise last night that i realised how loud everything actually was - the ER20'sare excellent plugs and IMHO, the best tenner ive ever spent!


Garbs
Jul 12 2006, 02:29 PM
Post #51


With hindsight very sensible.

Since I have started wearing the plugs, I have also noticed how much they block out of the high frequency - which isn't too bad a thing when you play bass (think this has been documented on another thread).

Our drummer thrashes the cymbals (no coincedence I stand with my left ear next to the kit - the one that has tinnitus) and it's these type of frequencies which puts your ears at risk.



takron
Jul 12 2006, 02:38 PM
Post #52


I work in a noisy environment and are supposed to wear ear plugs, but a lot of people don't like sticking things in their ears, managements solution, give everyone a set of ear defenders with fm radios inside, so you get to listen to radio 1 or 2 all day, the fact that you cant hear anyone shouting you, anything about to run you over seems to have gone right over their heads!
apart from that i get the odd song for the band now and then.



Surfinbernard
Jul 12 2006, 04:27 PM
Post #53


I find that tons of wax builds up after a spate of loudness, gig party etc. It must be a mechanism to protect them from damage. I'm not medical or anything. I've had an ear infection and they are nasty, but I think you would know because there is knitting needle pain and nausea and a temperature and that. Hope you sort it out.

Zoe



fluter
Jul 12 2006, 05:34 PM
Post #54



Ouch! I remember that pain, although it happened many years ago.
I played with a loud band a week ago, first time I turned my amp past '3'.
Luckily my hearing returned to normal after a few hours. The drummer was wearing protection, don't think that was the reason he wasn't playing in time. Must look into the ER20.



dood
Jul 12 2006, 06:10 PM
Post #55



One thing that I think needs to be pointed out, that seems to be overlooked is that ear damage is cumulative. (spelli

This means that if you go to band practice and the noise makes your ears ring, that is damage.. When you wake up the following day and the ringing has gone.. that isn't repair, the damage is still there.
The next time you go out and make your ears ring is not fresh damage, that is more damage on top of that which you have done already.
There comes a point that the delecate parts of your ears start giving in and the damage will be easier to do over time.

buying moulded ear plugs has been the best 140 quid I have spent on music gear. it cant repair the damage I have done to my hearing, but I can at least try not to cause any more.

oh.. and if you buy the moulded plugs, 'in ear' eaphones plug straight in.. save yourself a fortune in 'name brand' kits, like Shure etc!!



jhferret
Jul 12 2006, 06:40 PM
Post #57


Agree with all of the above, its the drums, or most likely the cymbals, that do the damage. Both non dumming Ferrets have got hearing problems drum side.

I've got permenant tinnitus in my right ear and its not fun. If you cant bring yourself to plug both ears then just plug drum side, although I would still recommend plugging both.

Must get some of the moulded jobbies.


thunderthief_29
Jul 12 2006, 06:48 PM
Post #58



I've got a pair of the ER20, which I've had for ages and I must admit, only used once. After reading this thread Im going to start using them. I've got a practise tomorrow night and I'll start using them then.

Mike


thumbo
Jul 12 2006, 07:52 PM
Post #59



I had my left ear syringed the other day, what a wierd feeling! It took me a while to get used to how clear everything sounded after that.


Mobius
Jul 12 2006, 10:05 PM
Post #60


I have Obscure Auditory Dysfunction which I got from having glue ear as a child. Basically it means my brain didn't quite learn to filter noise from voices very well, so I can't hear very well if there's loud noise. So bascially I wouldn't really notice if my hearing gets damaged a bit because my brain can't process it properly anyway!

I don't bother wearing earplugs. I do get a little bit of ringing after practices sometimes but it goes away after a half an hour or so.

[lowhand_mike]

ok i was going to add some more off the old site but i think thats probably enough and any other info can be added as new. And it's a hell of a big singal post to trawl through.

Mods if you would like the rest on here i'll do it just don't want to overload the post.

just to add to this although it's not musically related it is still to do with ears, i got a perferated eardrum years back in my surfing days (got hit in the side of the head buy the peak of a wave, like being hit with a brick only its abrick that gets in your ears too) and man the pain from that was awful, lost all my balance as your ears control that too and had real bad pains for about 4 days. Definately don't want that again.

[lowhand_mike]

ok phatmonkey, here comes some more



deksawyer
Jul 12 2006, 11:44 PM
Post #61


Etymotic ER 20 High Fidelity Earplugs here. Cheapest I've found in the UK, although I don't know how much their P&P will cost.....just checked - £1.40.

Just bought a set of Moldex Rockets to see how they compare (might be too muffled). There's also the Alpine Music Safe with tweakable filters.........

D.



jhferret
Jul 13 2006, 12:21 AM
Post #62


QUOTE(Mobius)
I don't bother wearing earplugs. I do get a little bit of ringing after practices sometimes but it goes away after a half an hour or so.


Thats just the point. The ringings starts to last an hour, then two, then 3, then it never ever goes away. It is there all the time, morning, night, even when you are gigging you can still hear the ringing.

I never got one with the ER20's, always aware there was something stuck in my ear so I've gone back to the foam, like you get with EBS amps. Problem is they cut out the highs, so you dont really know how load you are cos you cant hear the monitors properly.

Recently I have resorted to just using one drum side, but that is not a long term solution. If the moulded plugs are £150 then you will have lots of £150's throughout your life. You only have one pair of ears.



KingTut
Jul 13 2006, 09:52 AM
Post #65


I think smaller venues are worse for getting deafened - cos you're closer to the drummer. I always wear an earplug in my ear that is closest to the drummer - being a train driver - if I go deaf - I lose my job!

Wearing an ear plug also helps me pitch when I'm singing.

Col



LukeWard2004
Jul 13 2006, 10:23 AM
Post #66


THis is another very good point - i find that when i am "plugged up" with the ER20's, i can hear myself sing, regardless of the FOH sound or whatever is coming through the monitors. The number of times i have not been able to hear myself sing because of sh*te PA/Soundmen is unreal - with the plugs in i can hear myself and stay in tune.

Whether or not the Soundman gets the levels right after that is another matter entirely :roll:



dood
Jul 13 2006, 06:31 PM
Post #67


Yeh! totally! I need no vocal monitoring at all now! I chosse which value filter I need to hear my voice over the music in my head.. The other day an old band member mate of mine commented that my backing vocals are so much better and was surprised to see I had no monitors, so, yes.. it does work.



MacDaddy
Jul 13 2006, 09:04 PM
Post #68


a good way to deal with tinnitus is to listen to it. Probably best when you are lying down. Don't ignore it, concentrate on it. Over time your brain can sort of filter out the worst bits.
I tried to tune mine. Each time it occured, I'd play an A and try get it to match. Hasn't worked yet, which is a shame, coz I'd quite fancy having relative pitch.

Of course the best way to deal with it, is never to get it :!:

If you have to shout to be heard by someone 2 metres away, it's too loud for your ears - wether it feels like it or not!


Merton
Jul 13 2006, 09:30 PM
Post #69

I have custom moulded plugs, with 15dB attenuation. They're supposedly flat frequency response and to be honest I can't notice any spefic frequency band disappearing more than others. I won't practice or gig without them, or even go watch another gig.

A few weeks back when England played Ecuador, my mates asked for the TV to be turned up loads because one had had tinnitus for a week and the other just felt it was too quiet. Both have/had the custom earplugs, tinnitus boy just doesn't like them and deaf man has lost his... Anyhoo, I sat there all smug coz I'd been at all the loud places tinnitus boy had been to over the previous month and I was fine!



dood
Jul 13 2006, 09:54 PM
Post #70



Hey merton, mine are the custom moulded types too, but found that the 15dB types were a bit weak, especially with the guyzz in my band who know nothing below what feels like playing at 100dB!! SO I have moved on to the 25's and have settled with them now.

I still have tinitus, but I think it's not getting worse, which is the main thing.

Hey MacDaddy, that sounds like a cool idea! I *know* there is some definite 'notes' in the ringing I hear.. I think i'll work out what they are and see if I can tune my guitar too 'em!! I wonder if they stay the same pitch all the time?

I'll let you know after the weekend!! I may never need a tuner again.. ;o) lol lol lol



nedsbeds
Jul 13 2006, 10:10 PM
Post #71



lol well i'd rather get perfect pitch the way i got it (through years of being a chorister and viola player) rather than tinitus!
hmmm i really need another party trick other than being able to sing an A!


Merton
Jul 13 2006, 10:24 PM
Post #72



QUOTE(dood)
Hey merton, mine are the custom moulded types too, but found that the 15dB types were a bit weak, especially with the guyzz in my band who know nothing below what feels like playing at 100dB!! SO I have moved on to the 25's and have settled with them now.

I still have tinitus, but I think it's not getting worse, which is the main thing.

Hey Dood, yeah my mate has the 25dB ones but thought they were too much. At the moment I'm happy with the 15s coz my function band doesn't play too loud (unless I drag my full rig along...) but I guess I can change the filters if I need to. Any idea how much a set of just the filters are?



thumbo
Jul 13 2006, 11:36 PM
Post #73


Dood, where did you get your custom molded ear plugs from?

ER20 users, how long do you use a pair for before you replace them? I've got a couple of pairs, one on my keys and one in my gig bag. It seems like they lose their shape after a while (about 6 months of using them at least twice a week) and dont work quite so well, does anyone else find this?

Also, do anyone elses ER20's get really grimey? If so, shall we post pics? Lets see who's got the most minging ear plugs.



dood
Jul 14 2006, 10:59 AM
Post #74


I ended up just doing a search on t'interweb for etymotic Research and Elacin and 'Heros' Which are infact all the same company, then refined my search for companies making ear plugs in my area. Mine ended up coming from a local company, working out of a BUPA hospital, called Adcom Services. I wrote a long piece in anothe thread ages ago about these ear plugs and I cant write it all out again.. but, basically, any Audiologist can help as they must make ear moulds for all sorts of professions, e.g hearing aids.

replacement filters are usually around 70 quid inc vat and delivery.
If you get the Etymotic research / Elacin made moulds, you can buy earphones from them that plug right into the moulds, thus making in ear monitors. I have found them (pro models) on ebay for about 70 quid. Now, I reckon thats the cheapest way to have ear protection and in ear monitors!!



fluter
Jul 14 2006, 03:59 PM
Post #75



Just received my er20s, one pair for me and one for my son the drummer. What a difference!
Thanks for everyone who contributed to this thread, I've been dragging my heels far too long.


funky_bass_guy
Jul 31 2006, 12:34 AM
Post #76



QUOTE

ER20 users, how long do you use a pair for before you replace them? I've got a couple of pairs, one on my keys and one in my gig bag. It seems like they lose their shape after a while (about 6 months of using them at least twice a week) and dont work quite so well, does anyone else find this?

Also, do anyone elses ER20's get really grimey? If so, shall we post pics? Lets see who's got the most minging ear plugs.


Yeah I was wondering about when to replace them, I find they pop out a bit more easily now I have had them for about a year? I mean to buy another pair, infact I will do that this week. Then I can keep the spare pair on my key ring. Its a great idea, you dont want to be caught without them. Its not yet happened to me but I am sure it will do sometime.

Yes they do get quite grimey.. they have gone a slightly off white colour (some call it yellow) but I clean them after every use with hot water which removes any wax or other rubbish. The odd person remarks about the colour of them sometime but I point out that if they were to put them in they would probably come out covered in wax as they dont use them regularly.



LukeWard2004
Jul 31 2006, 09:51 AM
Post #77


I clean my ER20's with hot soapy water after each gig, and have found that if you soak them in hot water BEFORE a gig, they are nice and soft when you put them in and as they dry, they expand around your ear canal and sit nice and snug, with no sound problems.

Best £10 ive ever spent anyway!




reka
Jul 31 2006, 09:05 PM
Post #78



hmm, i might try the hot soapy water approach... usually i find that my er-20s feel like they're slicing into my ear canal as they're sitting there, whereas foam earplugs feel snuggly buggly wuggly.

maybe i just have delicate ears.



WonkyEwok
Aug 24 2006, 04:06 PM
Post #79



You can test your hearing on-line at

[url="http://www.digital-recordings.com/hearing-.../ht_help_p.html"]http://www.digital-recordings.com/hearing-.../ht_help_p.html[/url]

It's superb I reckon. Although most of the folks at the cakewalk forum can hear higher pitch than me, and they're 82 and used to launch F4 phantoms wearing a tin-can... it's really nice to find out what I can actually hear.

[url="http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=836107"]http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=836107[/url]

my response is Parsley on page 2



paulstanney
Aug 28 2006, 11:39 AM
Post #80


Just a word of warning for all. If you think there is anything wrong with your hearing get down the doctors ASAP.

I had a muffuled type hearing sensation in one ear that would come and go occassionly so I ignored it as it never lasted more than a day when my hearing would return to normal.

I've now just got out of hospital following surgery for a perforated ear drum and yes it can be put down to years of abuse at pratice sessions and live gigs.

If all goes well I should not have any long term problems with the exception of slight hearing loss in one ear.

[lowhand_mike]

these are the ones dood was talking about

Edited May 22, 2007 by lowhand_mike

[lowhand_mike]

this is interesting, after testing one of the links from wonkyewok which didn't work i did find this ultrasonic test from his forum link, i could just about hear the 17.7khz test but only just and only in one ear but the 16.7 was ok, not bad for a 33 year old based on what they say, but then they aint doctors.
i thought my hearing was even but this showed it not to be the case, so yes damage has already been done.

[warwickhunt]

I've mentioned this before I'm sure but here is a very recent true story...

My new band were getting used to setting up when the guitarist/singer said that he'd have to be on the drummers right. "Why?" I asked. He replied "I'm deaf in the left ear from playing the clubs". Not that funny really but considering he had just asked what the hell me and the drummer were putting earplugs in for made it 'almost' laughable.

There then ensued a discussion on the merits of earplugs which was shortened when I simply asked him... "So which side of the drummer do you want to set up on when you lose the other ear?".

Sad but true!

[bass_ferret]

Classic!

[Linz]

I dont go to gigs all that often (make allowances, please! I'm an Old Lady) but each time I do I come out with my ears humming and the last time my ears were hearing muffled sound all the way home. If thats what happens when you're at the front of the audience right next to the speakers, I dread to think what its like for you chaps on stage week in week out!
You only have one set of ears and when they stop working you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Good luck with the earplugs.

[stewblack]

+1 for the ER20's the most affordable and best bit of kit I ever bought. If you could force me to choose, I'd give you my Stingray rather than play without them in. After a little bit of getting used to I now prefer to listen to live music with them in.

[bass_ferret]

Sting in the tail! I am now suffering from vertigo, probably as a result of the damage to my ears.

I was looking forward to taking my son mountain climbing when he got old enough. Oh well.

[Linz]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='5683' date='May 24 2007, 12:57 PM']Sting in the tail! I am now suffering from vertigo, probably as a result of the damage to my ears.

I was looking forward to taking my son mountain climbing when he got old enough. Oh well.[/quote]

Never mind, get HIM to take YOU (he probably will anyway, the younger generation always thinks its parents are useless without a helping hand from them!)

[DrGonzo]

For those on a budget, you may be interested to know that I managed to blag a set of filtered moulds from the NHS...

Had an ear infection, went for a hearing test because I said I was a musician and sound engineer, blagged it!

[99ster]

This company supply the top-end (custom fit) Etymotic ear protection (ER-15)... similar price about £165 - which for me is cheap to protect my hearing!!! If I had to spend £1,650 to make sure I didn't go deaf I would still call that a bargain price.
[url="http://www.handheldaudio.co.uk/pages/ui_home.asp"]http://www.handheldaudio.co.uk/pages/ui_home.asp[/url]
(and they are also the sole UK distributors for the 'Ultimate Ears' custom fit 'inner ear' monitor systems - the absolute best kit that all the top musicians & engineers use...(£600-800) [url="http://www.ultimateears.com/"]http://www.ultimateears.com/[/url] - so they must know their stuff)

Edited June 2, 2007 by 99ster

[Owen]

Going to do it. Which level of reduction 15 or 25 dB?

[iansmith]

This is a topic incredibly close to my heart (and head) - after 20+ years of playing drums, 10 years of playing bass and countless gigs, I'm now suffering the effects. Tinnitus, [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperacusis"]hyperacusis[/url] and partial hearing loss in one ear. Nice - not. Once your hearing starts to go, it won't mend itself - you're on your way to being stuffed unless you do something.

£160-ish for the custom-made [url="http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/musicians-protection.htm"]Elacin[/url] plugs (or similar) is a small investment to protect your most valuable asset as a musician. I wish I'd done it earlier. I take them everywhere with me, even when going out to the pub in case the music's loud. Because they're quite clever at cutting out noise across the frequency spectrum, it actually makes it easier to hear people talking in noisy situations too! The cheaper Elacin ER-20s are quite good if you're on a tight budget, but I'd encourage everyone to give some serious thought to getting some ear protection.

By the way, I know this sounds like an advert for Elacin, so just to reassure you that I'm nothing to do with them, other than a satisfied customer, and I do feel rather passionate about this!

Edited June 9, 2007 by iansmith