Do You Use Protection?

Originally posted by nonameface:

Originally posted by Joe Marshmallow III:
I usually just stay in the back if I expect a show to be loud/very loud.

It helps, but to loud and repeated exposure, ears can become senstive…not just hearing loss.

And the SPL difference is not usually that great from front to the board.

Originally posted by Sir HC:
And the SPL difference is not usually that great from front to the board.

dB's are base-10 logarithmic. If the SPL is 120dB ten feet from the sound source, it will be 110dB @ 100ft, 100db @ 1000ft, 90dB @ 10,000ft, etc. This is why space shuttle launch observation posts are miles from the launch pad.

When I went to my first show at 930 a couple years ago, my parents made me wear ear protection. Not like I needed any convincing once I got there. Ow!

I just use a small ball of tissue/Kleenx. Going into the club without some kind of ear protection is painful and it detracts from the enjoyment I get from the show.

If anyone was at the Amina show last sunday, you definitely did not need earplugs for that. I don't think you would hear 1/2 of it with plugs.

I didn't use protection in my youth, except for *really* loud bands, and now I have permanent tinnitus and hearing loss that makes me say "what" all the time… I'm sure firing AK-47s and flying in helicopters hasn't helped, but I think it mostly was the music… watch yourself kiddies… use plugz for everything…

After going to a bunch of shows circa 1988-1991 left me with my ears ringing, I landed 8th-row seats for Lollapalooza in 1991 (Jane's Addiction, Siouxsie and the Banshees, etc.) and decided it was time to start using earplugs.

I've been using the Mack's silicone earplugs ever since.

I have partial hearing loss from severe ear infections from childhood. Add to that, years of rock shows and other environmental madness.

My hearing is so bad that I can't hear any ringing in my ears.

Originally posted by Sir HC:
Aural contraceptives, they keep your ears from getting fucked.

I get paid for hearing damage. I wear plugs to bars often.

I use the foam ones, once you get your ears used to the different eq, your brain can work well with them.

Loudest show, Skinny Puppy at College Park. 125 dB at the sound board the whole night. With plugs I had to leave to give my ears a break.

Have you tried wearing ear defenders over top of the plugs? You'll get near double the reduction.

Originally posted by Jaguar:
My hearing is so bad that I can't hear any
ringing in my ears.

my ears used to ring after shows. i had a period of time where i did wear earplugs at shows for a while, but now i dn't anymore and my ears don't ring anymore, even after shows like mogwai.

I bought a pair of just before the Stooges show, and I am glad I did. I actually didn't use them for the entire show, but put them in about midway when I started getting dizzy! Pretty clear sound overall, and I was surprised at how much more distinct Iggy's vocals were with them in. A good purchase, which I will use again.
Good topic!

Originally posted by Dupek Chakra:

Originally posted by Sir HC:
Aural contraceptives, they keep your ears from getting fucked.

I get paid for hearing damage. I wear plugs to bars often.

I use the foam ones, once you get your ears used to the different eq, your brain can work well with them.

Loudest show, Skinny Puppy at College Park. 125 dB at the sound board the whole night. With plugs I had to leave to give my ears a break.

Have you tried wearing ear defenders over top of the plugs? You'll get near double the reduction.

I have, but when you get down to the low bass your skull still gets it through regardless of the plugs.

Originally posted by Sir HC:

Originally posted by Dupek Chakra:

Originally posted by Sir HC:
Aural contraceptives, they keep your ears from getting fucked.

I get paid for hearing damage. I wear plugs to bars often.

I use the foam ones, once you get your ears used to the different eq, your brain can work well with them.

Loudest show, Skinny Puppy at College Park. 125 dB at the sound board the whole night. With plugs I had to leave to give my ears a break.

Have you tried wearing ear defenders over top of the plugs? You'll get near double the reduction.

I have, but when you get down to the low bass your skull still gets it through regardless of the plugs.

Then that's bone conduction. The only solution to that would be to stick knitting needles all the way thru the ears until they poke out on the other side of the head.

Originally posted by Sir HC:
Aural contraceptives, they keep your ears from getting fucked.

Love it!

Originally posted by westendgirl:

Originally posted by Sir HC:
Aural contraceptives, they keep your ears from getting fucked.

Love it!

although very cute, this expression has got it wrong… contraceptives allow you to get f*cked, they don't prevent it. they prevent pregnancy.

have i just enriched your day, or what?

Originally posted by sweetcell:
although very cute, this expression has got it wrong… contraceptives allow you to get f*cked, they don't prevent it. they prevent pregnancy.

have i just enriched your day, or what?

Actually, it depends on the context of "fucked" in each instance. One refers to fucking, as in intercourse, while the other refers to something being damaged, as in "That dumbass hit my car and fucked up my bumper."

Of course, the second reference could be used in the former, too, if it's done right. :D

Oh, and on the topic, I absolutely carry earplugs for shows. I'm currently debating if I want to see Andrew WK or Robyn Hitchcock tonight…if AWK wins, I'll definitely break out the earplugs.

Originally posted by sweetcell:
no, not talking about THAT kind of protection (although it's important too, kids). i'm talking about hearing protection.

last night's stooges show was a lot of things - intense, energetic, chaotic… and very LOUD. i was about 15 feet away from one of the stacks, and even with my earplugs they were deafening. i was surprised at how few people i saw with anything protecting their ears. several people have complained about still having ringing in their ears this morning - no wonder. i met Joe M in the corridor behind the soundboard, he told me the PA was so loud he couldn't hang out in the main room. the loudness was preventing him from enjoying the show.

cheap and not as sonically destructive as pieces of foam are etymotic's earplugs. i have a pair of these with me at every show. highly recommended.

am i just a wimp?

Have you heard about that new life threatening disease called 'Hearing AIDS ?' You catch it by listening to assholes.

Originally posted by sweetcell:
no, not talking about THAT kind of protection (although it's important too, kids). i'm talking about hearing protection.

last night's stooges show was a lot of things - intense, energetic, chaotic… and very LOUD. i was about 15 feet away from one of the stacks, and even with my earplugs they were deafening. i was surprised at how few people i saw with anything protecting their ears. several people have complained about still having ringing in their ears this morning - no wonder. i met Joe M in the corridor behind the soundboard, he told me the PA was so loud he couldn't hang out in the main room. the loudness was preventing him from enjoying the show.

cheap and not as sonically destructive as pieces of foam are etymotic's earplugs. i have a pair of these with me at every show. highly recommended.

am i just a wimp?

at least we know he protects those ears! now think about brushing those teeth and washing that crust off your face.

I didn't wear earplugs for years. Note even after the Buzzcocks at the old 9:30 Club – my ears rang for over a week. I should have gotten earplugs then, but I HATE those foam plugs and just take them out.

I've got Etymotics, and I bought a dozen additional pairs to give out to my music friends. I think it's the best gift I can give! The etymotics can be twisted tighter or looser depending on the show, and I find the sound better. I forget them once in a while when I switch show purses, but I'm getting better at remembering them.

A co-worker went to Iggy and said he thinks it's time to get earplugs. I ran back to my office and brought him a pair of Etymotics!

I don't get people who don't wear earplugs.
I *have* to at this point.

I had plugs in at the stooges and still thought it was punishingly loud. I mean that in a good way.
But still, i can't imagine not having earplugs. I always have some on me because you never know when a rock show is going to break out.