Just got earplugs.

[Mobay45]

Well, I just picked up my Westone fitted ear plugs. They have a 15db filter in them. We play two gigs this weekend so I'll have a report on them after that.

I also had my hearing tested and found that it's good for all frequencies exept for a pretty substantial decrease between 2000 - 4000hz. I'm hoping these earplugs help to keep any more damage from happening. The range of my loss is in the range that guitars play. Damn those Marshalls.

 

[SteveB]

Maybe you're just a bass player with selective hearing?

 

[shamus63]

Yeah Larry, let us know how these work out for you.

I'd like to buy a reusable (read: washable) set that does the job right.

 

[Mobay45]

Yeah Larry, let us know how these work out for you.

I'd like to buy a reusable (read: washable) set that does the job right.

I certainly hope these are reusable. They set me back $160!

Oh yeah, the filters are removable so if I decide I need other filters, I can buy either 9db filters or 25db filters.

 

[Aragorn35016]

I hate to hear about your hearing Larry. I hope the plugs work for you. I thought for a long time that my right eardrum was busted because I kept hearing all of this static and popping at certain frequencies and volumes. Turns out that I just have really bad allergies and my ear is always messed up because of my sinuses. I gotta go back to the doc soon to get some kind of perscription because the benedryl he told me to take isnt working.

 

[phatduckk]

ya, one of these days im gonna have to start using earplugs. i hate them but ive never used a good pair. always used the disposable orange ones and obviously those will suck (being 25 cents n all)

 

[stretch80]

Cool. Larry, I'll be interested in what you think. I want to get a set -- I've got a good ring in both ears from years next to "too loud" drummers (it's them - not our bass amps...!)

Bert

 

[Figjam]

15 db isnt that much , is it? The ones i use filter 32 db.

 

[Mobay45]

15 db isnt that much , is it? The ones i use filter 32 db.

I'm hoping that 15db is enough to stop the damage but still be able to enjoy the music.

 

[Figjam]

Makes sense. I wear normal relatively heavy duty ones because we practice in my basement where the sound just bounces around.

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

Well, I just picked up my Westone fitted ear plugs. They have a 15db filter in them. We play two gigs this weekend so I'll have a report on them after that.

I also had my hearing tested and found that it's good for all frequencies exept for a pretty substantial decrease between 2000 - 4000hz. I'm hoping these earplugs help to keep any more damage from happening. The range of my loss is in the range that guitars play. Damn those Marshalls.

who needs to hear guitar anyways

 

[Bill]

I need to get my ears checked again & get some good hearing protection. I've had a hearing loss in my left ear ever since I was a kid (probably since birth). My dad had it, and his dad had it, too. In over 21 years of playing music, it thankfully hasn't affected me on stage! I don't think it's gotten worse since I was little, but I really should have it checked again. The worst problems I have are hearing conversations in noisy environments, and I can't really use the phone with my left ear. But there is an advantage...if I'm trying to sleep & my wife & daughter are awake, I can sleep with my left ear up & I have an automatic noise reduction filter.

 

[Big Poppa]

Well, I just picked up my Westone fitted ear plugs. They have a 15db filter in them. We play two gigs this weekend so I'll have a report on them after that.

I also had my hearing tested and found that it's good for all frequencies exept for a pretty substantial decrease between 2000 - 4000hz. I'm hoping these earplugs help to keep any more damage from happening. The range of my loss is in the range that guitars play. Damn those Marshalls.

Larry isn't 2000-4000 our wives frequency too?

I am really suffering from years of playing and years on the phone.....You know when you are a chick magnet hearing aids are tough to embrace. My wife leaves little clippings and fliers around the house.

 

[oddjob]

Larry, I have 15s and they are great - I think all of the kids in my classroom have them too because they never seem to hear me! And BP they work wonders around the wife too - now if I can just get her to quit hitting me on the back of the head.

Seriously, they have been a lifesaver. They take enough "edge" the stage volume to protect your hearing - it is nice walking out at the end of the night without my ears ringing. The only problem I have is that we don't play with a set list and I sometimes have problems hearing "the call"- but who needs to play the right song anyway????

 

[tkarter]

Funny how something, that is necessary like hearing is to music ,is so overlooked by musicians.
Wise choice Larry.

tk

 

[SteveB]

You know when you are a chick magnet hearing aids are tough to embrace. My wife leaves little clippings and fliers around the house.

Well, if ANYBODY could pull it off, it'd be a chick magnet like yourself.

Remember, a hearing aid might potentially have an 'off' switch, which could prove useful around the house.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I just started playing places with PAs loud enough to actually hurt so I guess I can't make any more excuses. I'll be interested to hear your opinions on your new plugs before I go spend the $160 myself.

Anyone got a new excuse I can tell the girl when I'm just not paying attention to her? 'Sorry bad hearing from all the years of playing" won't work if I'm using plugs...

 

[ExLurker]

I ordered some of the custom fit -15db jobs, they should be in this week. I've been playing live for about 20 years and have the onset of tinnitus. I've decided I've got to have them if I want to continue playing live. I have a set of -20db Hearos and I'm hoping the custom molded ones will be better. I feel 'out of it' when wearing the Hearos. I also wear them when I take my 4 year old daughter to the play gym or her various kindergarten mates birthday parties - instant (quiet) bliss I'm also gonna wear them when the wife discovers my new Bongo in a couple of weeks time.

 

[tkarter]

I religiously wear the foam roll up ear plugs when I gig. I got used to them while working in a factory for 20 years that OSHA required hearing protection. I got out of that factory and kept some of the knowledge I learned there and applied it to my music. Go figure.

It takes very little to to getting used to. Sure you won't lile the sound cut at first, but persist and you will hear more of the necessary dynamics of making music. Even a cowbell won't be annoying any more.

The saying should be if it is too loud you are not very old. Most of us old guys need too loud.

IMHO

tk

 

[Mobay45]

BP - I think that might be the frequency of our wives voices. It'll make for a good excuse anyway since I have it documented now. I think the drummer in my last band might have had a lot to do with my hearing loss too. He popped the snare so hard that it really hurt every time he hit it.

Ritch - You brought up a point that I hadn't considered about on the fly set list changes. Although I have already tried these and I seem to be able to hear someone speaking pretty good.