Off Topic: Hearing Protection

[MikeVt]

Guys,
I'm going to Gigantour in August - mainly to see DT and Symph X. Given the number of bands, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to bring some hearing protection with me.

What do you guys do for hearing protection? Can anyone recommend some types, brands, models, etc? I want something comfortable, but also something that won't look too ridiculous at a show (like the headphones I use with my mower ). I'm going to look stupid enough being a fat old guy....

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
MikeVt

 

[koogie2k]

Guys,
I'm going to Gigantour in August - mainly to see DT and Symph X. Given the number of bands, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to bring some hearing protection with me.

What do you guys do for hearing protection? Can anyone recommend some types, brands, models, etc? I want something comfortable, but also something that won't look too ridiculous at a show (like the headphones I use with my mower ). I'm going to look stupid enough being a fat old guy....

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
MikeVt

Mike.....I find that shows of that magnitude are extemely loud with a lot of high frequencies. I personally use the foam type of ear plugs. It cuts out alot of the sound bouncing around and it makes the show more bearable without you leaving with your ears bleeding. To me, it makes the quality of the sound better and you will not damage your ears. My 2 pennies. BTW, enjoy the show! You can pick them up at Home Depot, Lowe's, even my local music store has them. They are readily available.

 

[doubleR]

Mike.....I find that shows of that magnitude are extemely loud with a lot of high frequencies. I personally use the foam type of ear plugs. It cuts out alot of the sound bouncing around and it makes the show more bearable without you leaving with your ears bleeding. To me, it makes the quality of the sound better and you will not damage your ears. My 2 pennies. BTW, enjoy the show! You can pick them up at Home Depot, Lowe's, even my local music store has them. They are readily available.

Foam earplugs are are useless if you are a musician. True, it cuts the overall volume, but it also kills the high frequencies so you can't fully hear cymbals, guitars, vocals, etc.

I use these for band practice, gigs, and going to clubs and concerts:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429033/


When you first put them in you think they aren't working, because you can still hear clearly. You really notice the difference when the music starts and it's not hurting your ears. Even more important, after the concert (or band practice or gig)your ears won't be ringing. Twelve bucks is cheap to protect your hearing.

 

[koogie2k]

I agree with that statement as far as being a musician. But for a concert goer, I like the foamies. I don't think they cut out the cymbals and all that. Your suggestion is even better. Mike, go with that one if you want to spend the money.

Overall, I think you should get something. You can't repair hearing loss. DoubleR is absolutely right, $12 bucks is well worth protecting the ears.

 

[kbaim]

I use the foam ones koogie mentions (flents..the 29 dcb ones), but agree that it cuts out a lot of highs.

I used 'em for VH and it saved me. Also great for camping.

Might have to try the ones double h mentions but it looks like at only 12 dcb it might not be enough.

I also cut off about 20% to make them easier to squish and stick in ear before they unsquish.

 

[OrangeChannel]

WHAT?!?!? You have to type LOUDER!


Just kidding....dude go get a set of EAR plugs from GC or Sam Ash....they work better than the foams and you can use them for concerts as well as your musicianly duties...they look like these ear plugs...

Gigantour is outdoors in most places and shouldn't be too loud. I've seen DT outside many times and they don't crank it up...neither do they inside...usually volume compensates for lack of ability....remember this nugget and you'll be fine...

 

[Hookpunch]

Foam earplugs are are useless if you are a musician. True, it cuts the overall volume, but it also kills the high frequencies so you can't fully hear cymbals, guitars, vocals, etc.

I use these for band practice, gigs, and going to clubs and concerts:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429033/


When you first put them in you think they aren't working, because you can still hear clearly. You really notice the difference when the music starts and it's not hurting your ears. Even more important, after the concert (or band practice or gig)your ears won't be ringing. Twelve bucks is cheap to protect your hearing.

Those look good but I am worried about how low the noise reduction rating is - only 12 dB - the foam industrial type is usually rated to 25 -30 dB, correct?

 

[tommyindelaware]

Those look good but I am worried about how low the noise reduction rating is - only 12 dB - the foam industrial type is usually rated to 25 -30 dB, correct?

at least for me....the abilty to distinguish the dynamics goes out the window when i tried foam. i can't stand the foam for that reason.
so i'm still hoping to find a better way.
meanwhile......my tinitus noise floor just keeps climbing & climbing.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

My hearing is shot. I tried plugs a few times and like a few people have said, it totally kills the highs. I find if I cant hear my tone properly I just cat get off on the playing experience. Thats what I find anyhow. But my hearing has been damaged as a result.

 

[MikeVt]

Thanks guys! This info is wonderful!

I agree that I need some kind of protection. I have found that as I get older, my ears take longer to recover after a show. For the moment, my ears are still fine - but it's time to make sure they stay that way.

I'm actually going to take both suggestions and get both types. That way, I can try them at the show and decide which ones will work best for me (comfort, noise reduction, etc.) I'm also glad to hear that DT is reasonable with their volumes. This is something I have always been picky about. The best bands don't need to beat your ears to numbness in order to sound good. Hmmmm.....sorta like women and beers, eh? (Ok....I know that was in poor taste...sorry ladies )

Sorry I didn't respond sooner - I've been having trouble getting to this site all day.

Thanks again guys...
MikeVt

 

[doubleR]

Those look good but I am worried about how low the noise reduction rating is - only 12 dB - the foam industrial type is usually rated to 25 -30 dB, correct?

I just got back from band practice. We rehearse in a garage--two guitars, bass, drums and vocal PA. I have no discomfort or ringing in my ears with the 12 dB plugs, and believe me, I'm VERY sensative to loud noise.

However, as I already have a slight hearing loss in my left ear and constant tinitus, I had went to an audiologist last week and had these made:

http://www.westone.com/music/elite.html#es49

The ES49's. They ain't cheap, but the audiologist said he'd try to bill them to my insurance company. He said sometimes he can sneak them through by billing them as "hearing aids."

 

[ripley]

I like the Hearos tha tlook like little goldfish.

they're not uncomfortable and I THINK they're 20ish db....

 

[fsmith]

I'll have to look into those musician ear plugs. I used to work security for shows at the Baltimore Arena and Cap Centre (RIP) and would buy the foam plugs in bulk. I didn't think they took away too much from the sound at all. We could still communicate on our radios standing in front of the stage stacks.

It was probably too little too late after 15 years or so of attending concerts without protection. What was I thinking?? I definitely have the tinnitus buzz pretty much non-stop.

 

[Bowks]

Check out www.etymotic.com for hearing protection too. I've got both earplugs and headphones hehe.

 

[MikeVt]

Thanks again for the feedback guys. Here's what I ended up ordering:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/421220/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/421214/

I'll take them both with me and see which set works best. Thanks for the pointers!

MikeVt

 

[lock-ny]

I have the second ones you ordered, the hearos plugs, not the disposable and they work great, youll like them, just be careful becuase they fall out of your ears, no moshing in them - russ

 

[OrangeChannel]

I have the Hearos....they're awesome...same thing as the EAR ones...

 

[doubleR]

Thanks again for the feedback guys. Here's what I ended up ordering:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/421220/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/421214/

I'll take them both with me and see which set works best. Thanks for the pointers!

MikeVt

A quick tip about the Hearos: The first time I used them, I thought they were defective. I put them in, and there's no obvious, immediate sensation of quiet like when you put the foam plugs in. That's because the Hearos lowers the overall volume without cutting the quality of the sound you're hearing.

It was only afterwards, after band practice was over, that I realized my ears weren't ringing as they usually were.

Let us know how they work for you.

 

[MikeVt]

Will do - thanks!

MikeVt