Strategies to Protect and Preserve Your Hearing

Bo Legg · Posted 20 Jan 2013 2:47 am

So much of what we term “science” emanates from real-world experiences.
In my case, It’s a case just in case.

This summer playing the lakes with a blues southern rock band I was exposed to loud music for a couple of weeks before I figured out this trick.

The trick came too late and the first 2 weeks resulted in me developing some tinnitus that has not gone completely away although I don’t play with them in the winter time and it’s been several months now.

It has much improved now and the improvement started as soon as I started bringing my guitar just for the case just in case.

I don’t blame the guitar player because I played just as loud as he did.
The only problem is that I’m sitting down and that puts the guitar players amp closer to my left ear than his ears.

I used an earplug in my left ear but then I notice that with my amp and his blaring my right was getting hit hard so I tried playing with an ear plug in that ear also

Playing with one earplug is bad enough but playing with two was just impossible for me even though they are guality and expensive earplugs.

So I came up with this little trick.

The guitar player was willing to accommodate me after I assured him that it was not his fault nor in anyway related to his playing.

I think he understood since he suffered from sever tinnitus.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I see 3 things going on:

1.) Proping up a case between you and the rest of the players

2.) Setting up your steel off-stage

3.) Having the lead man set up on the opposite side of the stage

All will help when playing with loud players, but I like #2 & #3 best.

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

All good ideas. I used to use a big chunk of cardboard in place of the guitar case. It wasn't pretty and the "boss" kept complaining so we got rid of the cardboard and eventually me. Teamwork is another solution.
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not.

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

Acrylic drum shields.If they'll work to keep enthusiastic drummers out of the band's space,they'll work to keep enthusiastic Stratslingers out of yours.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Volume and especially volume wars are a difficult part of live gigging, for sure. Expensive fitted in-ear monitoring can often be a good solution, except for the expensive part. One thing audiologists agree on is that only using one earplug, or one ear monitor, can also damage your hearing. I have been guilty of that in the past. One of the worst things on smaller stages for me is that we're so much closer to the floor monitors, I get blasted out when everyone else wants more... I'm still trying to evolve creative and diplomatic ways to communicate on the issue.
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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I can sum up my problems over the years in one word: CYMBALS. If you're playing bass, or steel, and you're located towards the back, your choice is basically WHICH ear gets the torture... and the drummer's sitting down with the cymbals up higher, aimed away from him - and straight at you. They don't call them "CRASH" cymbals because they put you to sleep...

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

I still have very bad tinnitus from a gig last March, and it wasn't even from the band. It was at a Mexican restaurant and their DJ had a much bigger sound system than ours. The thumping bass coming out of his system while we were setting up, on our breaks, and while we were tearing down was killing me, even though I went outside as often as I could.

I immediately put in my Sonic earplugs but even they didn't help. I was in pain the whole night and even got fired from the band because some of the crowd said I didn't look like I was having a good time! Well duh!

I've tried several doctors, drugs, and my ENT and nothing has helped. It's been over 10 months and if anything, it's worse.

Take care of your ears guys. No situation is worth tinnitus or losing your hearing for.
_________________
Jim Smith
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

I walked out on my last band because they were too d*mn loud.I figure my hearing is more important than anybody's good opinion.Jim,I'm REALLY sorry you got canned from that gig.Talk about adding insult to injury!

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

My primary one-liner to offending parties is...
"Nobody should hear you louder than you hear you".

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

A sign like this...

...should light up (if nowhere else then at least somewhere between our ears) when sound level exceeds 85db.

No matter the solution: better safe and able to enjoy the music, than sorry and damaged for life.

signed: The Soundman Smile

Wally Moyers · From: Lubbock, Texas

I read a great article in Guitar Player Magazine years ago about protecting your hearing.. One of the main points they made is to never use pain killers while being exposed to loud noise... These can be over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen or even alcohol. pot etc.... It said that they desensitize your ears to pain while still allowing damage. They also make your ears recover much slower after they shut down... Food for thought?

Wayne Franco · From: silverdale, WA. USA

Just last Sat. night the same thing happened to me. First time I've ever had to go home and take Ibeprofin to sleep because my ears hurt. I finally did exactly what was recommended in the post and put an earplug in my right ear. From now on I will wear hearing protection at the first sign of too much volume. Don't want to die def. It's taken me 2 days to get my ear feeling better. Don't know if I lost any hearing or not.

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