What kinda of Ear Protection do you use?

[Jam_Bass]

I've tried ear plugs, but those stuff just ain't for me, so i order ear muffs earlier this week.

[PianoClubhouse]

i ,ist admit, when i first saw the title of this post, i completely didn't see the "ear" next to the "protection" in the title, and i was COMPLETELY throwed by what kinda topic Jam_Bass was tryin' to start....LOL. It wasn't until i clicked the link, that I saw that I missed the "EAR".

Whew!!!

[floaded27]

i ,ist admit, when i first saw the title of this post, i completely didn't see the "ear" next to the "protection" in the title, and i was COMPLETELY throwed by what kinda topic Jam_Bass was tryin' to start....LOL. It wasn't until i clicked the link, that I saw that I missed the "EAR".

Whew!!!

Ha ha. Hmmm, curious as to what u expected since u clicked the link anyway. lol.

I've tried ear plugs, but those stuff just ain't for me, so i order ear muffs earlier this week.

What are u seeking protection from exactly? I guess different things bother different people. My ears are more sensitive to the high frequencies, more than just sheer volume itself, so i usually find myself needing to protect my ears when im near a drummer that says on the cymbals like they're going out of style, or when the highs on the board are turned way up so all the vocals either in the mains (if im in the audience) or in the monitors (on stage) are screeching. I usually just ball up a piece of tissue and sit it right in my ear. It hardly deadens the sound, but it muffles a lot of the highs which is a relief.

Sometimes when its volume thats a problem, sometimes i just gotta deal, but at my church i usually tell everyone to bring the volume down. But in some cases the best option is to just move, since the source is usually the drums or the organ leslie. There were times when i wasnt "required" to play (especially during shouts) and because the music was SOOOO loud, i just put my bass down, got up and walked away (either far off to the side or the back of the church) until they were done. When asked why I left, i simply say "y'all were way too loud. i like hearing." Usually they get it and the next time the volume is much lower.

I honestly think the majority of musicians are slightly hearing impaired because they subject themselves to this insanity on a regular basis. And because of such they play even louder, and increase damage even further.

I think the best, but more expensive, solution is to get in-ear monitors for the entire band. that way the volume of the mix is tailored for each individual and thus the sound can be less aggressive. Usually the #1 excuse for a loud musician is "i cant hear myself" and that solves this problem for everyone. But usually that involves putting everyone in the mix (not necessarily going through the house though) and not everyone is capable (having the equipment or having the know-how) of doing so.

[PianoClubhouse]

Ha ha. Hmmm, curious as to what u expected since u clicked the link anyway. lol.

Yeah, i just need to go pray......

[Jam_Bass]

Lol.....this sure did make my night 

i ,ist admit, when i first saw the title of this post, i completely didn't see the "ear" next to the "protection" in the title, and i was COMPLETELY throwed by what kinda topic Jam_Bass was tryin' to start....LOL. It wasn't until i clicked the link, that I saw that I missed the "EAR".

Whew!!!

AT my church, EVERYTHING IS LOUD!! From the keyboards, to the singers i think it partially because of how the "system" is set up and we got ppl who don't have a clue as to what they're doing operating it. Also on Sundays, i sit next to the drummer, and that darn snare kills me! Especially during a shout, so i just decided to get ear muffs,  trying to save whats left of my hearing...

Ha ha. Hmmm, curious as to what u expected since u clicked the link anyway. lol.
What are u seeking protection from exactly? I guess different things bother different people. My ears are more sensitive to the high frequencies, more than just sheer volume itself, so i usually find myself needing to protect my ears when im near a drummer that says on the cymbals like they're going out of style, or when the highs on the board are turned way up so all the vocals either in the mains (if im in the audience) or in the monitors (on stage) are screeching. I usually just ball up a piece of tissue and sit it right in my ear. It hardly deadens the sound, but it muffles a lot of the highs which is a relief.

Sometimes when its volume thats a problem, sometimes i just gotta deal, but at my church i usually tell everyone to bring the volume down. But in some cases the best option is to just move, since the source is usually the drums or the organ leslie. There were times when i wasnt "required" to play (especially during shouts) and because the music was SOOOO loud, i just put my bass down, got up and walked away (either far off to the side or the back of the church) until they were done. When asked why I left, i simply say "y'all were way too loud. i like hearing." Usually they get it and the next time the volume is much lower.

I honestly think the majority of musicians are slightly hearing impaired because they subject themselves to this insanity on a regular basis. And because of such they play even louder, and increase damage even further.

I think the best, but more expensive, solution is to get in-ear monitors for the entire band. that way the volume of the mix is tailored for each individual and thus the sound can be less aggressive. Usually the #1 excuse for a loud musician is "i cant hear myself" and that solves this problem for everyone. But usually that involves putting everyone in the mix (not necessarily going through the house though) and not everyone is capable (having the equipment or having the know-how) of doing so.

[Andrzej]

Alpine Musicsafe earplugs are great.  I use them all the time

http://www.alpinehearingprotection.co.uk/consumer_musicsafe_pro.htm

[BassbyGrace]

Some like those ^^^ are good to have.  I have some triple flange ones that I get issued in the army, but I also keep a box of the foam ones you roll up that go in your ear and reform to plug them up.  Those are only like maybe 3 bucks for a box of like 100.  I ALWAYS keep some, esp. when I know I going to be playing at a church. 

[malthumb]

Motorla S9-HD.  These are the wireless Bluetooth headphones I use with my iPad and my iPhone, so I almost always have them with me.  I was at a rehearsal where the drummer and the guitarist were out of control loud.  Slipped these on and all was right with the world.  Not their intended use, but, hey.....

http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Consumers/Products/Mobile%20Phone%20Accessories/Headsets/Universal%20Bluetooth%20Headset%20S9%20HD%20(USA)/_Images/Static%20Files/B2C_S9HD_headset_lg_alt.png

[waveofthinking]

I use the Hearos High Fidelity ear plugs from guitar center. Only $16.

[floaded27]

with the earplugs, do y'all ever have the problem that everything sounds muffled? With in-ear monitors or headphones u get the audio feed but just the ear plugs u still have to hear whats going on outside.

[waveofthinking]

Not with the ones I use. I can hear all the notes, vocalists clear as a bell. They simply lower the volume.
http://www.amazon.com/Hearos-High-Fidelity-Ear-Plugs/dp/B0002CZYS4

[lowlife350]

I tried the foam plugs, I scared myself.  There comes a point when attempts to grab them with your fingers only pushes them in further.  My wife had to use the tweezers to get them out. 

I where triple flanges similar once to the once mentioned.  I will probably try something adjustable like what Andrzej recommended.

Undiagnosed - but I think my clubbing days when I used to fall asleep on speaker stacks then hop in my sub woofered Tempo have taken their toll.

Even at low volumes my ears hurt.  I can't wear headphones and have them whisper without pain.  I think it is a frequency sesitivity thing more than a volume thing.  Unfortunatly for me, it happens to be right around 250hz where I really hurt.  This is also where my main bass sings.  The plugs alleviate the direct shot to my ears and I can play at regular to exruciating volumes comfortably.  I'll be looking for something really good yet affordable to stick in my ears.

My hearing is still much better than average, but to anyone playing at any significant volume, you owe it to yourself to at least carry a pair for when things get too loud.

I actualy worked with a guy who I found out played a mean bass.  He never wanted to talk about it.  Come to find out, he used to tour with Hall and Oats, but one day while practicing at the studio (he says at low volume) his ear just popped and he said the pain made him drop everything.  From that day forward, the man can't touch a bass.

Please, be safe, wEAR protection.

[Jam_Bass]

I hate ear plugs  very uncomfortable so i got these instead ---->http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BL04PS. Portable, light but everything sounds muffled

[lowlife350]

Hey Jam_Bass, your link did not work for me but I am glad that you are insistant upon finding something that works for you.

I did not realize, but I am most likely getting the exact ones that Andrezj suggested, probably from here: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/alnasoearpl.html?cmp=googlebase&kw=alnasoearpl&ppce=ZT1Gcm9vZ2xlJm49RnJvb2dsZStGZWVk

or I may try:
http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/hear-plugz.html

I really wish either of them had a connecting cord.  I am certain to lose one without a tether.  Sometimes, I only wear one and let the other dangle over my shoulder.

I used to find them uncomfortable, but when the triple flanges that I have are inserted just right, they muffle nothing at all and are super comfortable.  I have actually worn them half-way home from rehearsal twice accidently because I forgot they were in.

[Andrzej]

I did not realize, but I am most likely getting the exact ones that Andrezj suggested, probably from here:
or I may try:
[url=http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/hear-plugz.html]http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/hear-plugz.html

Believe me, you won't be disapointed!  I have tried lots of ear protectors over the years and these are by far the best I have used for bass playing.  They cut out all of the harmfull high frequencies with audible clarity, but the low frequencies still come through really punchy and not muffled.  You have a choice of different filters for your own taste so that you can hear certain frequencies more than others.  Until something else better comes along, I will always use them.

[Asahel]

I ordered custom ear plugs (Westone) for my two teen boys from my audiologist.  $240 per pair with two filters, on 15db and another 25db.  Expensive?  I don't think so... small price to pay considering that he (the oldest) has spent over $1,500 in music (guitar) gear.   The youngest sings in the choir next to a very loud drummer.  Both of them report very good results with even attenuation across all frequencies.

Me? I don't have a gig now.  Played at church but couldn't handle the loud levels.  Another guy that was forming a sort of Jazz-BossaNova-AcidJazz gig gave me a chance, but again, "enhancing" the sound meant "increasing the volume", so I had to quit, since music is mostly something that I enjoy doing; it's not going to pay the bills.  I practice alone, and every now and then jam with my son.  I am hearing-impaired and wear hearing aids, so what I do is I wear cans over my hearing aids, use a mixer, and mic my son's guitar with a Shure SM-75.  The cans give me about 25db reduction (Beyerdynamic something) and my own hearing aids also work as custom ear plugs with up to 10db.  I can feel the bass while at the same time I can hear everything else at a very comfortable level.

Your most important piece of gear is your ears.  Most people here have nice equipment but they can't seem to justify investing in (good) hearing protection.  Remember folks, once it's gone, it's gone...  Don't think that it won't get to you... it will.  It's just a matter of time.

Protect your hearing.

[lowlife350]

I may grab customs at some point.  Initical cost is not my concern as I have health reimbursement account at work.  My concern is being able to replace them when I lose them during heavy handling. 

Interesting though, this week, I was encouraged to research the relationship between tinnitus and suicide.  If you are so inclined, there is some very startling, eye opening and cautionary information to be found.

[roscoeman]

I also use custom ear plugs with 15 and 25 db filters and I don't regret shelling out the cash about 10 years ago (over $100). I only recently ordered the 15db filters and it works better for me than the 25db. With the 15db I can feel the bass better and am more connected. It is like turning down the room volume just a bit.

[Asahel]

Yea, my kids also report great results with the 15db, the 25db being a bit too much... but they use the 25db whenever they have a special occasion session/concert at church, because they play at "concert level", whatever that means...

All of us are going to get our hearing tested yearly.  My hearing condition has made me more educated on the importance of hearing protection... there is just no need for bands to run loud stages... with all the technology in place that wasn't available even ten years ago.

Most of you folks here know that I'm a BIG advocate of transcribing songs as a great way of learning music, but would you believe how hard it is when you ears let you down... Matter of fact, I will NEVER (barring a miracle from God, which I totally believe is entirely possible) be able to hear my true tone.  I rely on my guitarist kid to help me get set up and EQ. I can feel the groove, and sometimes I do my own EQ but other times I just can't.

My hearing aids cost over $6000.  That's my dream bass and rig right there!     And check this out, it's not a one time purchase... I'm looking into spending that kind of money every 3-4 yrs.

Folks, hearing protection is THAT important.  Please, please, please, protect your hearing!

Blessing to y'all.

[DWBass]

I use the Hearos High Fidelity ear plugs from guitar center. Only $16.

I use the same ones.