Hearing Protection

Post Reply
pompatus
Posts: 400
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:19 pm

Hearing Protection

Post by pompatus »

Does anyone have a recommendation for hearing protection while performing or playing in an ensemble? I’m already condemned to a lifetime of tinnitus, but I’d like to avoid further damage. In a concert band I play in I’ve been given the seat of honor directly in front of the snare drum, and it gets a bit piercing. Thanks, all.

Terry
User avatar
Kingfan
Posts: 1133
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by Kingfan »

I sit right next to the drum set in big band. I use an in-the-ear silicone earplug from the local discount store in the ear by the drums. I can pull it out when he is using brushes, put in part way when he is at moderate volume, shove it in further when it is kickin' it. You could do the same with a pair. Many have a string connecting the two, so you could dangle them around your neck when not needed.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! :D
Greg Songer
King 606, King 3B-F: DE LT101/LTD/D3
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated
King 2107 bass: DE MB109/MB J/J8 King
User avatar
Burgerbob
Posts: 4530
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:10 pm
Location: LA
Contact:

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by Burgerbob »

I wear these at work, in practice, and even sometime in the car. Only 12db reduction, so not for the REALLY loud settings (rock concerts and the like) but perfect for most things.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044 ... UTF8&psc=1

Only downside is I've lost so many of them... I think I'm on my 8th or 9th pair.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
User avatar
Matt K
Verified
Posts: 3945
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:34 pm
Contact:

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by Matt K »

I got a box of these in 2013:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

Still going strong. I reuse them.. perhaps more than I should but I almost exclusively wear shirts with front pockets so its easy for me to slip them in. I have had a pair in my black slacks for like 3 months at this point. They're my summer big band ear protectors!

I don't usually wear them 100% in. I'll insert them all the way and then gradually remove them until it's the right reduction for the context. A lot of times that means the right ear is slightly more inserted than the left one since the drummer is to my right as well.
mrdeacon
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue May 08, 2018 2:05 am
Location: Los Angeles, California

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by mrdeacon »

The foam ones honestly aren't that bad. There are a ton of different ways you can put them in your ears like Mattk and Kingfan mentioned. I own both foam and a set similar to what Burgerbob has.
Rath R1 2000s, Elliott XT
Bach 42 1974, Elliott XT
Holton 169 1965, Elliott LB
Minick Bass Trombone 1980s, Elliott LB
ngrinder
Posts: 234
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 7:30 pm
Location: New York City
Contact:

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by ngrinder »

I use -7db ear plugs. They're custom and sort of expensive, but they work really well and are worth it, in my opinion. I do like the foam ones too, because you can adjust how deep they go in and thus how much sound gets out, but I've settled on the customs. Bit more predictable, I guess.
pompatus
Posts: 400
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:19 pm

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by pompatus »

Kingfan wrote: Thu Sep 06, 2018 8:23 pm I sit right next to the drum set in big band...
I'm pretty sure it was years of big band playing that wrecked my hearing to begin with. When I was younger I was too stupid to do anything about it. Now that I'm older and my ears ring non-stop it's too late to prevent, but I'm wizened enough to keep it from being worse. Thanks, for the tips, guys.

Moral of the story, kids, is to take care of yourself, nobody else will do it for you. :clever:
AndrewMeronek
Posts: 972
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:09 pm
Location: Detroit area
Contact:

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by AndrewMeronek »

I keep a pair of these in every trombone case, in my mute bag, and in my car:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FKY8SI/?c ... _lig_dp_it

I find that in loud environments, I need as much protection as possible. It's about protecting myself from damage, and also I find that it's actually easier to hear in loud environments with them in, because there is less distortion going on in the ear. My horn still sounds different, of course; that just takes getting used to.
“All musicians are subconsciously mathematicians.”

- Thelonious Monk
Bonearzt
Posts: 715
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:40 am
Location: My Dungeon of Hell....Actually Texas
Contact:

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by Bonearzt »

I have a pair of Earasers for when I'm sitting in front of a strong trumpet section. Comfortable, but still get somewhat of a plugged feel. I've gotten used to it.

When I was at the past PASIC in Indianapolis last November, I grabbed several handfuls of the foam plugs they had at each performance room. THOSE I keep everywhere!


Eric
Eric Edwards
Professional Instrument Repair
972.795.5784

"If you must choose between two evils, choose the one you haven't tried yet."
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." -Sophocles
bimmerman
Posts: 183
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:15 pm
Location: Menlo Park

Re: Hearing Protection

Post by bimmerman »

I've got a set of the triple flanged "musician" earplugs that live in my case. Maybe Etymotic? They work really really well and make rehearsal a lot more bearable when the trumpets are trumpeting.

High school me definitely didn't do current me any favors. I don't have nonstop ringing but I do have faint hissing, so I don't want it to get worse.

I'm overly cautious now. Earplugs when using tools in the shop, wrenching, playing, performing, racing, driving the loud janky car, etc. I don't wear them when practicing though, not yet anyway.
Post Reply

Return to “Accessories”