Question:
I was wondering if anyone here played at loud enough volumes where hearing protection was required. Please share what kind of ear plugs you are using. I have a foam type that seems to irritate my ears and was hoping there was something better. You guys ever gig with hearing protection or do you find that your stage volumes aren’t that high?
Response:
>I was wondering if anyone here played at loud enough volumes where hearing >protection was required. Please share what kind of ear plugs you are using. >I have a foam type that seems to irritate my ears and was hoping there was >something better. >You guys ever gig with hearing protection or do you find that your stage >volumes aren’t that high?
Hmmm I get mine at work, take a tour of a nearby factory of some sort, chances are you’ll be required to wear a disposable earplug of one type ot another…. we have several, foam, rubber, even a feathery type…… C’ya Steve http://www.onlinerock.com/musicians/zaghost/ ICQ 3839381 Running Intel Free
Response:
> I was wondering if anyone here played at loud enough volumes where hearing > protection was required. Please share what kind of ear plugs you are using. > I have a foam type that seems to irritate my ears and was hoping there was > something better. > You guys ever gig with hearing protection or do you find that your stage > volumes aren’t that high?
Industrial supply places should/will have headset-type hearing protectors. I have a pair from when I used to work at a steel mill 20 some odd years ago. They still work great – I can stand almost next to the stage (but clear of the mosh pit) at a Rollins Band gig and still hear the music clearly, but not get ear ringing. Another place to get headset-type hearing protectors is at a sporting goods store that has firearm supplies (in other words, not your typical Sports Authority). These are active headsets (they have electronics). Most have volume controls, some for each ear. Yes, they do hear in stereo. Allows one to hear normal speech, but will muffle (but not totally block out) gun shots, which sound level wise are on a par with sound levels coming from a stage. — JackN2MPU Modeling the NYC and NYNH&H in HO and CPRail and D&H in N Proud NRA member
Response:
> I was wondering if anyone here played at loud enough volumes where hearing > protection was required. Please share what kind of ear plugs you are > using. > I have a foam type that seems to irritate my ears and was hoping there was > something better. > You guys ever gig with hearing protection or do you find that your stage > volumes aren’t that high?
I do. I have to. I lost some of my hearing and developed tinnitus from playing with some shitheads a while back who refused to play at reasonable levels. Now, while it subsides if I don’t listen to very loud music, anything louder than "moderate" levels triggers it and it really sucks, let me tell you. I use the E.A.R. plugs, the roll up yellow foam jobs. I hate them, but I use them if I thinks it’s gonna get loud. Really distorts your perspective when it comes to singing, because all you hear is "head" sound through your cranium. So I’ll take one out at times, just to be able to sing. The best bet is to use common sense when you set the levels on your amp. If the band won’t come down, you have two choices – use your earplugs or QUIT the band. Nothing is worth losing your hearing for, nevermind some jam or gig in a bar full of drunks. That you can go deaf is no exageration and it sure ain’t a pretty prospect. – Kent Pearson
Response:
> I have the $130 custom plugs, but I prefer the silicon. Much better than > the foam tampons too.
I wanna hear more about these $130 ear plugs! Are you serious? (Not that you can put a dollar value on your hearing, but…) – Kent Pearson
Response:
> The custom plugs are available from an audiologist and are custom fit > to your ear – which is why they cost that much. > Still, it’s peanuts compared to having your ears fucked up from the > sound pressure levels
Interesting. And yes, you’re absolutely right. – Kent Pearson
Response:
> Where are you guys playing that you need ear protection. If it’s that loud > on stage it’s louder in the audience.
Outside, for one. Some big rooms, some small ones. >Does everybody in the audience need > ear protection too?
One might think so. Yet I see people sit at tables directly in front of the PA bins and dance right in front of the stage with no obvious discomfort. And when you ask them if it’s too loud, the answer is often times "Turn it up!" > Just turn it down and get a good stage volume, and turn the PA up only as > loud as the place needs.
That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while they deafen the rest of the band. The obvious answer is that if it’s not working, make a change. But what about the one gig that they blasted your ears to hell? It doesn’t take all that much to do permanent damage. I used to say the same thing, but now I NEVER play out without at least having my plugs within easy reach if I need them. Better safe than stupid I’ve learned. – Kent Pearson
Response:
Absolutely. Cymbals are a killer, and probably why I’m deafer in one ear than the other. – Kent Pearson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m not necessarily talking about my amp. Stand right next to the drum > kit for any length of time. The crash and ride cymbals can do just as > much damage over time as a raging stack. I should also have mentioned > that frequency of sound can have the same impact as volume.
Response:
Good post… I’ve played MANY times in bands, sessions, or shows that required ear plugs. I’ve had them in my gig bag for a while. I can usually tell from the first set (song) if it’s going to get loud. I don’t like them but use them. gtski – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was wondering if anyone here played at loud enough volumes where hearing > protection was required. Please share what kind of ear plugs you are > using. > I have a foam type that seems to irritate my ears and was hoping there was > something better. > You guys ever gig with hearing protection or do you find that your stage > volumes aren’t that high? >I do. I have to. I lost some of my hearing and developed tinnitus from >playing with some shitheads a while back who refused to play at reasonable >levels. Now, while it subsides if I don’t listen to very loud music, >anything louder than "moderate" levels triggers it and it really sucks, let >me tell you. >I use the E.A.R. plugs, the roll up yellow foam jobs. I hate them, but I >use them if I thinks it’s gonna get loud. Really distorts your perspective >when it comes to singing, because all you hear is "head" sound through your >cranium. So I’ll take one out at times, just to be able to sing. >The best bet is to use common sense when you set the levels on your amp. If >the band won’t come down, you have two choices – use your earplugs or QUIT >the band. Nothing is worth losing your hearing for, nevermind some jam or >gig in a bar full of drunks. That you can go deaf is no exageration and it >sure ain’t a pretty prospect. >- Kent Pearson
Response:
I use Mack’s Earwax silicon plugs. You can get them at WalMart or any drugstore. Each blob will make two plugs and you can still sing with them in. I have the $130 custom plugs, but I prefer the silicon. Much better than the foam tampons too. Kevin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Good post… > I’ve played MANY times in bands, sessions, or shows that required ear plugs. > I’ve had them in my gig bag for a while. I can usually tell from the first > set (song) if it’s going to get loud. I don’t like them but use them. > gtski >> I was wondering if anyone here played at loud enough volumes where > hearing >> protection was required. Please share what kind of ear plugs you are >> using. >> I have a foam type that seems to irritate my ears and was hoping there > was >> something better. >> You guys ever gig with hearing protection or do you find that your stage >> volumes aren’t that high? >I do. I have to. I lost some of my hearing and developed tinnitus from >playing with some shitheads a while back who refused to play at reasonable >levels. Now, while it subsides if I don’t listen to very loud music, >anything louder than "moderate" levels triggers it and it really sucks, let >me tell you. >I use the E.A.R. plugs, the roll up yellow foam jobs. I hate them, but I >use them if I thinks it’s gonna get loud. Really distorts your perspective >when it comes to singing, because all you hear is "head" sound through your >cranium. So I’ll take one out at times, just to be able to sing. >The best bet is to use common sense when you set the levels on your amp. > If >the band won’t come down, you have two choices – use your earplugs or QUIT >the band. Nothing is worth losing your hearing for, nevermind some jam or >gig in a bar full of drunks. That you can go deaf is no exageration and it >sure ain’t a pretty prospect. >- Kent Pearson
Response:
>> I have the $130 custom plugs, but I prefer the silicon. Much better than > the foam tampons too. >I wanna hear more about these $130 ear plugs! Are you serious? (Not that >you can put a dollar value on your hearing, but…)
The custom plugs are available from an audiologist and are custom fit to your ear – which is why they cost that much. Still, it’s peanuts compared to having your ears fucked up from the sound pressure levels Random Alias
Response:
Where are you guys playing that you need ear protection. If it’s that loud on stage it’s louder in the audience. Does everybody in the audience need ear protection too? Just turn it down and get a good stage volume, and turn the PA up only as loud as the place needs. TT
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I have the $130 custom plugs, but I prefer the silicon. Much better than >> the foam tampons too. >I wanna hear more about these $130 ear plugs! Are you serious? (Not that >you can put a dollar value on your hearing, but…) > The custom plugs are available from an audiologist and are custom fit > to your ear – which is why they cost that much. > Still, it’s peanuts compared to having your ears fucked up from the > sound pressure levels > Random Alias
Response:
Cheap hearing saver tip… use cigarette butts! Use fresh (unsmoked ones) if you can get ‘em… bum two cigarettes, pluck off the nasty tobacco part, and insert (twisting gently) the *mouth* end of the filter in the ear canal. Saved my hearing more than once… sometimes the best seats are near the PA stack. __ Steve .
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>Cheap hearing saver tip… use cigarette butts! >Use fresh (unsmoked ones) if you can get ‘em… bum >two cigarettes, pluck off the nasty tobacco part, and >insert (twisting gently) the *mouth* end of the filter >in the ear canal. Saved my hearing more than once… >sometimes the best seats are near the PA stack. >__ >Steve
Paper towels from the restroom. Roll them up, dampen slightly with water (really cuts the SPL when a bit wet) and put them in your ears. — Dr. Nuketopia Spam filtering is off. AO-Hell catches most of it now.
Response:
I’m not necessarily talking about my amp. Stand right next to the drum kit for any length of time. The crash and ride cymbals can do just as much damage over time as a raging stack. I should also have mentioned that frequency of sound can have the same impact as volume. >Where are you guys playing that you need ear protection. If it’s that loud >on stage it’s louder in the audience. Does everybody in the audience need >ear protection too? >Just turn it down and get a good stage volume, and turn the PA up only as >loud as the place needs. >TT
Random Alias
Response:
> Absolutely. Cymbals are a killer, and probably why I’m deafer in one ear > than the other.
Huh? Pardon me?
Response:
>Absolutely. Cymbals are a killer, and probably why I’m deafer in one ear >than the other.
The only discomfort I’ve had in recent years is from the first whack on the snare and the first cymbal hit on a small stage. Yeah, I’m on stage left. May resort to a plug in the right ear. Ron
Response:
Kent Pearson SAID, That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > they deafen the rest of the band.
Yeah, I used to play with THOSE guys. TT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Where are you guys playing that you need ear protection. If it’s that loud > on stage it’s louder in the audience. > Outside, for one. Some big rooms, some small ones. >Does everybody in the audience need > ear protection too? > One might think so. Yet I see people sit at tables directly in front of the > PA bins and dance right in front of the stage with no obvious discomfort. > And when you ask them if it’s too loud, the answer is often times "Turn it > up!" > Just turn it down and get a good stage volume, and turn the PA up only as > loud as the place needs. > That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > they deafen the rest of the band. The obvious answer is that if it’s not > working, make a change. But what about the one gig that they blasted your > ears to hell? It doesn’t take all that much to do permanent damage. I used > to say the same thing, but now I NEVER play out without at least having my > plugs within easy reach if I need them. Better safe than stupid I’ve > learned. > – Kent Pearson
Response:
Kent Pearson SAID, >That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > they deafen the rest of the band.
The guitars in my band all run through combos (Marshall 4104 & Boogie DC-5), but we both use extension cabs. More to get the sound up near the player than for any other reason. Makes it a lot easier to get a stage balance at a reasonable volume if the guitars aren’t blowing past your ankles. I like the Zappa rule, "you can use any amp you want, as loud as you want, just so long as it is pointed at _your_ head." Ron
Response:
I like the Zappa rule, "you can use any amp you want, as loud as you > want, just so long as it is pointed at _your_ head." > Ron
And some called him a freak.,,, That Frank Zappa fella sure knew his shit. TT
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Kent Pearson SAID, >That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > they deafen the rest of the band. > The guitars in my band all run through combos (Marshall 4104 & Boogie > DC-5), but we both use extension cabs. More to get the sound up near > the player than for any other reason. Makes it a lot easier to get a > stage balance at a reasonable volume if the guitars aren’t blowing > past your ankles. > I like the Zappa rule, "you can use any amp you want, as loud as you > want, just so long as it is pointed at _your_ head." > Ron
Response:
> Deep Purple! Does anyone remember them doing a song called "Hush"?
Yeah, the first album with Rod Evans on vocals, covering the Joe South song. – KP
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Deep Purple! Does anyone remember them doing a song called "Hush"? Much cooler that "Smoke on the water". Pete – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i once went to a deep purple concert !!! about 25 ft. from a bank of speakers, > good clean sound , standing on seat-jacket between legs & every time > the drummer hit kick the jacket would move. that was in early 90’s ears still > ring > use ear plugs when needed. smarter now!!!! > Kent Pearson SAID, > That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are > > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > > they deafen the rest of the band. > Yeah, I used to play with THOSE guys. > TT > > > Where are you guys playing that you need ear protection. If it’s that > loud > > > on stage it’s louder in the audience. > > Outside, for one. Some big rooms, some small ones. > > >Does everybody in the audience need > > > ear protection too? > > One might think so. Yet I see people sit at tables directly in front of > the > > PA bins and dance right in front of the stage with no obvious discomfort. > > And when you ask them if it’s too loud, the answer is often times "Turn it > > up!" > > > Just turn it down and get a good stage volume, and turn the PA up only > as > > > loud as the place needs. > > That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who > are > > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > > they deafen the rest of the band. The obvious answer is that if it’s not > > working, make a change. But what about the one gig that they blasted your > > ears to hell? It doesn’t take all that much to do permanent damage. I > used > > to say the same thing, but now I NEVER play out without at least having my > > plugs within easy reach if I need them. Better safe than stupid I’ve > > learned. > > – Kent Pearson
– Of course I can talk, I’m a monster, not a mime –Whackhammer
Response:
i once went to a deep purple concert !!! about 25 ft. from a bank of speakers, good clean sound , standing on seat-jacket between legs & every time the drummer hit kick the jacket would move. that was in early 90’s ears still ring use ear plugs when needed. smarter now!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Kent Pearson SAID, > That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who are > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > they deafen the rest of the band. > Yeah, I used to play with THOSE guys. > TT > > Where are you guys playing that you need ear protection. If it’s that > loud > > on stage it’s louder in the audience. > Outside, for one. Some big rooms, some small ones. > >Does everybody in the audience need > > ear protection too? > One might think so. Yet I see people sit at tables directly in front of > the > PA bins and dance right in front of the stage with no obvious discomfort. > And when you ask them if it’s too loud, the answer is often times "Turn it > up!" > > Just turn it down and get a good stage volume, and turn the PA up only > as > > loud as the place needs. > That’s too sensible. Unfortunately, too often you get band members who > are > unwilling to cooperate, who complain that they can’t hear themselves while > they deafen the rest of the band. The obvious answer is that if it’s not > working, make a change. But what about the one gig that they blasted your > ears to hell? It doesn’t take all that much to do permanent damage. I > used > to say the same thing, but now I NEVER play out without at least having my > plugs within easy reach if I need them. Better safe than stupid I’ve > learned. > – Kent Pearson