Hearing protection

[backinit]

I have some hearos plugs which block everything and a pr of Acu-Life which are basically 18 decibel filters. The filters allow me to hear what is going on, but they are uncomfortable as hell. What can you recommend?

[backinit]

I guess no one heard me?

[zenmindbeginner]

I use balled up tissue paper... bar napkins are great for this but toilet paper or kleenex will work too.

Hearing damage occurs because we have a built in boost centered around 2000Hz. Large amounts of sound energy in this frequency band destroys our hearing directly. Those are technically midrange frequencies and are the majority of frequencies that electric guitar amps churn out. Drums, amplified keys and vox can contain large and dense amounts of this frequency band.

Powered saws, routers etc. are probably the worst for destroying hearing. Guns are second. People that have been in the military usually have decimated hearing.

So, bass frequencies don't usually cause hearing loss, neither do low midrange or very high frequency sounds.

If it's between 1000Hz and 12,000Hz, it has the potential to destroy your hearing.

Tissue paper blocks out those very frequencies and leaves the warm low mids and bass frequencies virtually untouched... 12,000Hz and up can usually leak through the tissue but don't kill much hearing because our boost isn't in that frequency band.

People with extended and very sensitive hearing (super hearers) should use the full frequency hearing protection, but 99% of the population can benefit greatly from sticking some tissue paper in your ears.

Another huge plus for using tissue is that I have shit sinuses and don't like the vacuum seal that full frequency hearing protection puts on my head. The tissue paper blocks out the frequencies that will damage my hearing yet allows my noggin' to sort of breathe so I don't start getting dizzy and nauseous.

I stood only several feet away from large P.A. stacks every weekend for several years as a bouncer and I still have excellent hearing from only using tissue paper. I had to be ready to kick ass at a moment's notice and I couldn't be off balance and dizzy... I also had to protect my ears but be able to hear tables and chairs knocking over and people shouting at a moment's notice.

If you're running a saw or at a range, use the full frequency type. I like the cheap ballistic hearing protection when I go to my semi annual visits to the gun range.

Paper products are your friend.

[DaveH]

If you're running a saw or at a range, use the full frequency type. I like the cheap ballistic hearing protection when I go to my semi annual visits to the gun range.

Wrong answer!

[jaberwock]

http://www.westonemusicproducts.com/hearin...ring-Protection

I still find it a little crazy that some folks will happily drop $ 250.00 on a single humbucker and yet think $ 130 for hearing protection is expensive !!

Jaberwock

[tommy p]

I got custom-fit earplugs for about $100 several years ago and swear by them. Wear them at practice, when my band plays, and when I go see anyone else play. I can actually hear what the singer is saying between songs at arena shows with them in!

[jwhitcomb3]

I got a set of these a couple months ago. They are expensive and require custom fitting, but music sounds like music through them, and they are very comfortable. An excellent investment for people who plan on using their ears for the rest of their lives.

[tommy p]

I got a set of these a couple months ago. They are expensive and require custom fitting, but music sounds like music through them, and they are very comfortable. An excellent investment for people who plan on using their ears for the rest of their lives.

Those are what I have.

[tbonesullivan]

I usually use the ribbed ones which are marketed under various names as "hi-fi" ear plugs. These are pretty much the same as the ETY ear plugs, and now even come in two sizes from guitar center. They work pretty well, though as many point out, they only offer 20dB of reduction.

I think though I may have to get some of the etymotics made. My hearing is worth it, and they would be great for playing in an orchestra.

[Thundernotes]

I got a set of these a couple months ago. They are expensive and require custom fitting, but music sounds like music through them, and they are very comfortable. An excellent investment for people who plan on using their ears for the rest of their lives.

Where did you get fit for them? They seem like a good idea, should I ever get back into a band.

[Bobby Marshall]

I got a set of these a couple months ago. They are expensive and require custom fitting, but music sounds like music through them, and they are very comfortable. An excellent investment for people who plan on using their ears for the rest of their lives.

Where did you get fit for them? They seem like a good idea, should I ever get back into a band.

I went to an audiologist.

http://www.hearingdoc.com/

They took molds of my ear canals so the final product fits very well.

[Armitage]

I had custom fits made up when I was touring.

[ArnieZ]

I had a pair of custom fits made with the etymotic 15 db filters, I don't use them as much as I should. Well worth the money, hear everything you want to, but very good protection!

arniez

[geoff_hartwell]

Etymotic is great for the fitted ones and the cheap "xmas tree" ones as well.

Having used both for literally thousands of gigs in different situations, I would recommend just getting pairs of the cheap xmas tree ones - and notice that they come in regular and "small ear canal/child" sizes. Get a pair of both first - they're about $20 a pair, vs a few hundred with the doctor visit and the actual plugs - then get a couple of the ones that fit/sound best.

And as far as comfort, I had to suck it up - it's a hell of a lot easier to get comfortable with ear plugs than tinnitus and deafness.

Geoff

[Toadroller]

I use balled up tissue paper... bar napkins are great for this but toilet paper or kleenex will work too.

I tried it. I like it. This will certainly come in handy when I find myself without any earplugs. Thank you!

[Thundernotes]

I use balled up tissue paper... bar napkins are great for this but toilet paper or kleenex will work too.

I tried it. I like it. This will certainly come in handy when I find myself without any earplugs. Thank you!

I played a church gig years ago where there was an old lady sitting in the first row, complaining about the noise. Someone told her to use the rolled up tissue trick and it worked great for her. I guess they should have also told her to only roll up a small piece and insert it, rather than rolling up just a corner and leaving the entire napkin hanging out of each ear.