Fil
361 posts
Dec 18, 2017
12:53 PM
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Last Edited by Fil on Dec 18, 2017 6:28 PM
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jbone
2421 posts
Dec 18, 2017
7:26 PM
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Fil, your post seems to have disappeared. I recall it was about hearing protection in loud music venues.
I lost a percentage of my hearing due to both factory work and concerts, and later playing with loudass blues rock bands. Fortunately I think I am not as bad off as you are loss-wise.
There came a point where I just couldn't keep going back to the damage source. For the past 6 or 8 years if I'm in a place and it gets "that loud" I just have to leave. I stopped playing with loudass bands as well. I'm pretty much exclusively in a duo with my wife Jolene these days and we used 12 watt vintage amps and a small p.a., and that's it.
Over the years I've seen guys with custom earplugs come out and plug in 50 or 100 watts of guitar amp and blow the place up to where nobody could hear each other even in the back of the room. It became obvious to me that there was something very wrong with that picture and I decided I could not sacrifice any more hearing gratuitously. I gave up factory work in the 90's and loud music in about 2010. That's how it has to be for me to keep what I have.
I wish you success however you find a way to get what you need. I hope some sort of therapy comes available to restore hearing that has been damaged for whatever reason.
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Reverbnation
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Chris L
177 posts
Dec 19, 2017
7:32 PM
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Musician's Hearos.
https://www.hearos.com/collections/all-consumer/products/earplugs-high-fidelity-series-with-free-case
Great in a loud concert, e.g Rush. heard every note of the performance AND every word of the conversation on the drive home!
Not bad for playing bass in a loud band.
Feels weird to me for singing or playing Harp because of too much interference with the many ways you "hear" the harp internally when playing. But that might not be your experience at all.
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asilve3
158 posts
Dec 20, 2017
10:45 AM
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I recently purchased eagasm ear plugs. I've been happy! They reduce the db's and certain frequencies so you can still hear everything well. It really helps at practice with our drummer, it takes the edge off his cymbals and snare. At live music venues I noticed the depending on where you stand your results may vary. When I'm up close it can be hard to hear the vocals perfectly but for most part its great.
https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Musicians-Motorcycles-Sensitivity-Conditions/dp/B019M576XW
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AJ Silverberg
www.hearaj.com
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AppalachiaBlues
105 posts
Dec 20, 2017
12:32 PM
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I use the Alpine MusicSafe Classic. They work well, very comfortable, stay in my ears, and are not expensive. Highly recommended.
https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/musicians/
I just wish I had started using them 20 years earlier!
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Dec 20, 2017 1:35 PM
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ME.HarpDoc
273 posts
Dec 21, 2017
6:45 PM
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Had some Etymotic plugs which fit fairly well and approx 20db reduction. Found it hard to hear band well enough to know if i was keeping proper rhythm.
Switched to custom fitted, 15db filter from an audiologist. Same problem. Don't feel I hear all the tone i need. What i end updating is positioning myself to one end of the band, putting in one earplug closest to band and leaving the other one out. That seems to work for me.
The Etymotics were about $14, the customs $250. I don't feel customs were worth it other than better fit.
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AppalachiaBlues
110 posts
Dec 22, 2017
2:08 AM
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I can't comment on the Etymotics. But with the Alpines, they do a decent job of letting in enough full-frequency detail to really hear the band. It was strange the first few times I played with them, but then I got used to it. The Alpines have 3 different filters which you can swap out, to adjust the reduction level (It's roughly something like -18dB, -16dB, -14dB, if I remember correctly.) I started with the low filter, moved up to the medium, then the strong, before eventually settling on the medium filter. I've been using them about 4 years now with the medium filter.
I also wear them in the cinema (I went to see the latest Star Wars film last week, and the SPL meter on my iPhone was peaking in the 96-98dB range, so I popped in my Alpines and perfectly heard the movie). I also use them regularly on flights. With the cylinder case on my keychain, I always have them with me.
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Dec 22, 2017 2:11 AM
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AppalachiaBlues
111 posts
Dec 22, 2017
2:16 AM
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http://www.sengpielaudio.com/PermissibleExposureTime.htm
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MindTheGap
2426 posts
Dec 22, 2017
2:42 AM
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I've got some Alpines, with the three filters and they are pretty good.
But the best I've use are the (very inexpensive) 3M E.A.R. "ClearE-A-R 20" ones. I find it's easy to vary the attenuation by seating the plug differently, for different situations. Sometimes just to take the edge off.
One particular benefit is that because they are relatively cheap, I can have multiple pairs so reducing the risk of being left without. It only takes one very loud gig...
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 22, 2017 3:06 AM
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johan d
103 posts
Dec 22, 2017
2:53 AM
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I ordered these last week
http://www.variphone.com/en/mep-2g-music
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Django
40 posts
Dec 22, 2017
9:30 AM
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Hi there I've used a lot of brands including custom mades, alpine, foamy's of various types, and a few others.
For me by far the best believe it or not if you need a good amount of reduction are the Heros Xtreme protection.
Regular foamy's sound terrible and the customs don't cut out enough and after some time your ears change and they don't fit right and are very expensive to replace.
The Heros for me at least, sound relatively even and cut out a lot. You get around 5-10 uses out of 1 set before they start to sound not as clear and you need to think about replacing them.
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MindTheGap
2428 posts
Dec 22, 2017
1:08 PM
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That's interesting - I had ruled out the foam-type ones as they seem just like solid plugs. These say 33dB which is a lot - like putting your fingers in your ears.
In practice, I'd have thought that 33dB isn't really achievable because the sound will get in other ways though your bones and nasal passages if it's loud enough.
The other type say they have a precisely engineered 'filter' which in practice seems to mean a thin tube! Whether or not it's hype, there is the advantage that the static air pressure can equalise, which is a good thing I think.
I might try some Heroes, maybe simpler will be better.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 22, 2017 1:11 PM
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garry
690 posts
Dec 22, 2017
7:27 PM
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I gave up long ago on off the rack solutions and had the custom ones made. They are way better at cutting the volume without affecting the sound, and waaaay more comfortable than the cheap ones. Well worth the price.
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Fil
362 posts
Dec 23, 2017
6:44 AM
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Original post was mine. I attempted to edit and somehow lost it. I didn’t have the energy, or I guess courtesy, to redo it. Anyway. I appreciate very much the response you’ve provided. I originally had asked if anyone had experience with those shooters muffs that permit safe level volume but temper the extreme decibels. I acknowledge that they would look like hell on stage, but if they would work, might solve my problem. I think I’m going to try a pair anyway. If they didn’t work for music I have plenty of other uses for them.
And this is just a lament, ignoring reality, my issue only, would never try to impose anything on anybody, TEHO, etc., but stadium volumes in a club or bar are just fucking nuts. Forgive my offense....
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Phil Pennington
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MindTheGap
2431 posts
Dec 23, 2017
7:35 AM
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Fil, I agree about the volume, I find it oppressive and your language is justified. This is our precious hearing we are talking about. I remember a particularly bad experience going to watch my son's band in a small pub - they had some kW-level PA system going on, utterly ridiculous. I didn't have my earplugs to hand at the time so I put some scrunched up tissues in my ears. Point is, they weren't some death metal band or something - the soundman must have considered it 'normal' volume for ordinary music, I guess what the punters expect.
On the ear muffs - yes a friend had bad tinnitus that was triggered by even quite moderate volumes, and tried these over-the-ear ear-defenders for a while. But it didn't work out and he had to stop playing I'm afraid.
But he had a specific condition. I'd be interested to read about your experiences.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 23, 2017 7:44 AM
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Django
41 posts
Dec 23, 2017
9:59 AM
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@MindTheGap. I have issues with loud volumes now too after years of cranked amplifiers and gigging my whole life. When I mix now I do so at around 70 db and even then my ears tire quickly. I can't play anywhere(gig) without wearing ear protection.
I was skeptical of the foam heroes but all foamys are not the same. I've gone through a number of custom ear protection plugs and filter types which are convenient but to me, aren't worth it or any better unless maybe if you want just a little protection.
All hero's are not priced the same so check a few sources. Good luck.
Last Edited by Django on Dec 23, 2017 10:00 AM
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