I've no experience with the ER musicians' plugs filters, only their ER-20 product. But the ER-20 is pretty good, even for bass, I think. I'm wondering if the pre-2016 info referred to the filters for molded plugs, or only the "rod-type" plugs. Westone 15dB filters for molded plugs I can recommend personally for loud stages, and they're about 50% more expensive than the ER's, it looks like. I don't think their reduction curve enhances bass, but it does "clean it up" and reduces the unhelpful noise that can make your bass notes fuzzy.
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Hearing Loss and Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Boplicity
- Start date
Same story as most of you, bad case of tinnitus and my left ear is doing next to nothing except making a high pitch sound. I'm 49 and expect to loose all my hearing in 15-20 time, hearing protection or not. My family on both sides have severe hearing loss, those who reach old age have next to nothing left (my grandma on 103 have not heard a thing for years).
When using ear plugs I can not hear what the others are saying, and always end up not using them because of that. Sound familiar?
I have landed on using "Doc's proplugs vented". The Doc's proplugs let thru enough treble so that you actually can hear what the others are saying, and at the same time give protection. I think something like -20 dB. Here in Europe a pair cost $20'ish? Do not let the price fool you, these are great. There might be better things out there, but I have not found any. And I have tried a lot.
When using ear plugs I can not hear what the others are saying, and always end up not using them because of that. Sound familiar?
I have landed on using "Doc's proplugs vented". The Doc's proplugs let thru enough treble so that you actually can hear what the others are saying, and at the same time give protection. I think something like -20 dB. Here in Europe a pair cost $20'ish? Do not let the price fool you, these are great. There might be better things out there, but I have not found any. And I have tried a lot.
I've had to stop using my 20 yr old custom molds which suddenly began causing severe ear irritation. Strange, but I did some experiments and they're definitely the culprit. I'm not sure what to do about it, except maybe order new ones. Meanwhile, I'm testing lower-cost substitutes, including Etymotics, Eargasm, and Ear-asers. I'm a fan of 15db reduction. Has anyone else tried Westone WM-16's? So far these are my favorite of the non-custom mold <$50 variety.
Your ear canals change shape over time - I think you are supposed to get new ones every 5 years or something like that.
For sure. I'm pretty amazed that I was able to hang onto them that long without losing them, actually! As far as fit goes, it hasn't changed noticeably, nor has performance, but I can't live with irritation, that's for sure. Thx for the advice.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
A cheap and effective solution to try is moldable shooter's earplugs. You mix to activate, then pay the material into your ears. The material cures in about ten minutes into a silicone type product. I used it for my IEMs.
A doctor once said to me the biggest thing u should put in ur ears is ur elbow! Im extremely weary of IEM's....direct injecting noise straight into the ear could be real damaging cause its too easy to let it get too loud...and I dread to think what would happen if there was a frequency spike.
We need to compare loud live sound to industrial noise. Stage volume easily tops 80 db's which over a prolonged period will screw ur hearing. There are few places in industry now which would tolerate that without protection..and IEM volume could also easily reach those levels.
The only way I get around this is to wear fitted ear plugs....it cuts out the harsh frequencies and once u get used to them feels real good. Sure it makes pitching the voice difficult but then Im not a singer.....
As far as I can see there is no easy fix for loud live sound.....but wearing fitted protection def gives me the insurance to save my hearing.
We need to compare loud live sound to industrial noise. Stage volume easily tops 80 db's which over a prolonged period will screw ur hearing. There are few places in industry now which would tolerate that without protection..and IEM volume could also easily reach those levels.
The only way I get around this is to wear fitted ear plugs....it cuts out the harsh frequencies and once u get used to them feels real good. Sure it makes pitching the voice difficult but then Im not a singer.....
As far as I can see there is no easy fix for loud live sound.....but wearing fitted protection def gives me the insurance to save my hearing.
Even singing is only a matter of adjustment like everything else about ear protection. As a twenty + year user of custom-fitted plugs made by an audiologist, I can attest to their value. Thousands of amplified gigs later, I have only the average human’s age-related hearing loss, and I have my ear protection to thank. Don’t leave home without it!
In the U.S., I have found something very similar with EarPeace. I used to use foam earplugs when I was serving in the military around engines and guns, but they don't work as well for music. I discovered EarPeace about eight years ago, and have been using them ever since. I don't do a band practice or a gig without them.
Oh, and congrats on your then-103 year old grandmother! I lost my grandmother last year about a month before she would turn 103. I know it's a year after you posted, I hope your grandmother is still around.
30% loss in my left due to very loud guitar players, 17 in my right. Never wore plugs. I’m very lucky it’s only that after all these years. It’s a huge problem in metal bands. But all it takes is the right note to split your eardrums. You must have plugs in small clubs, it’s louder that you realize.
I use in ear monitors to dial everything down but I can dial in who I want to hear perfectly. ( and turn down who I don’t want to hear ). Certainly an expensive route. But well worth it. I use Westones. But there are many that you can have molded to ur ear. I had a but kicker to “feel” the kick and bass ... but The owner finally retrieved it ... so I’m searching for another.
I used Shure 535 earbuds for my last dozen years or so. They sound awesome. Once you insert them and find the sweet spot coupling them to your skull they have a very full bass sound. They were about $600 but made it all tolerable.
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It's all fun & games till it's gone.
I use Etymotic ER-20xs. After trying several brands these are the only non custom hifi plugs I could find in large. My friends that now wear hearing aids, their playing has suffered. Not sure how they are using their hearing aids during a gig but they are not on their game like they used to be. Of the several bands I work with I am the only one that makes some attempt to protect my hearing. Then again I am the oldest with the most loss. Trying to save what I have left.
I've "heard" about and know even more METAL Bass players and Guitar and drummers that used ear protection religiously and still do , I've been playing bass in Metal and thrash bands since 1980 , I tried using ear protection once , I took them out a minute later and haven't used protection (ear) lol , again.
My hearing is now , as good as it was 40 yrs ago.
I know !!! Right !
As For me personally , I know that using earphones , earbuds when I'm playing LOUD at home is a stupid thing to do to my ears.
By all rights , I should be having a hint of
hearing problems at 61 , but Im not.
¿¿¿???¿¿¿?.
I honestly don't care why , yet anyway.
Just luck I guess .
I feel for anyone that loses any of their hearing .
But
When a musician loses hearing it must be more than just horrible to deal with.
My hearing is now , as good as it was 40 yrs ago.
I know !!! Right !
As For me personally , I know that using earphones , earbuds when I'm playing LOUD at home is a stupid thing to do to my ears.
By all rights , I should be having a hint of
hearing problems at 61 , but Im not.
¿¿¿???¿¿¿?.
I honestly don't care why , yet anyway.
Just luck I guess .
I feel for anyone that loses any of their hearing .
But
When a musician loses hearing it must be more than just horrible to deal with.
Attachments
Hearing loss is the less evil. It’s the tinnitus that should scare people into wearing ear protection. Unless of course the 24/7 sound of a dentist’s drill doesn’t bother you.
Tone generator apps are a great way to test your hearing loss. Download it on your laptop for few bucks. I mainly use it to break in new speakers. You would be surprised at what you are missing. As a kid I could hear a mosquito from 20' away in a room, now it has to be landing on my ear to hear it.
Costco (and probably other big stores that sell hearing aids) will test your hearing for free.
I was pleased to learn that after a decade in broadcasting, then “regular” life, followed by a decade of playing bass, I’m normal for my age. Then again, I don’t usually play with a drummer. When I do, it’s -20 dB earplugs.
Anyone who plays with a drummer or loud guitars, without ear protection, is at serious risk.
I was pleased to learn that after a decade in broadcasting, then “regular” life, followed by a decade of playing bass, I’m normal for my age. Then again, I don’t usually play with a drummer. When I do, it’s -20 dB earplugs.
Anyone who plays with a drummer or loud guitars, without ear protection, is at serious risk.
While this is a very old thread and I'm sure I posted some time ago, I want to provide one more reason to go with audiologist made custom MUSICIANS ear plugs...
In addition to hearing protection, I find wearing ear plugs in restaurants and other places where there is a lot of ambient noise it is MUCH easier to understand people when they are speaking. The words of the voice come in at a frequency that without plugs gets masked by the ambient noise. Getting rid of those competing frequencies make being with people in loud echo-y places much more pleasant.
In addition to hearing protection, I find wearing ear plugs in restaurants and other places where there is a lot of ambient noise it is MUCH easier to understand people when they are speaking. The words of the voice come in at a frequency that without plugs gets masked by the ambient noise. Getting rid of those competing frequencies make being with people in loud echo-y places much more pleasant.