PROTECT YOUR EARS !!!!!! You Only have 2 of Them!

**raybbj** · 12-27-2017

So at age 45, I am now suffering from tinnitus. It's very annoying and very depressing. Since I was 12 years old I have always worn industrial hearing protectors whenever I play the drums (even at a gig), so I know it's not from playing drums, but I have always lived in apartments and townhouses (shared walls) so no guitar amps for you!!!. I have always played and recorded E-drums, guitar, piano, bass through headphones for the past 25 years and I guess all that headphone use has finally caught up to me.

Lesson learned the hard way!! Turn your headphones DOWN !!!
If you play in a live band, use hearing protection !!!

Don't become a statistic.

**spantini** · 12-27-2017

Too late for me. It all started when I went to my first live concert: Grand Funk Railroad at University of Md. Cole Field House, 1970. The ringing was gone 2 days later, but I was hooked.

I can listen at moderate levels, but I can only derive enjoyment from higher levels.

**ecc83** · 12-27-2017

"I can listen at moderate levels, but I can only derive enjoyment from higher levels."

That ^ is a very common situation even for people with normal hearing and it is to do with our evolution. Loud sounds trigger adrenalin and the "buzz" is pleasurable like being scared by horror films. Unlike films however, loud sound is, as has been said, far from harmless.

I too am a lost cause but not as a result of 'self abuse'! I have always been very careful not to expose myself to high sound levels. I used to fix disco rigs but would test them by cranking an LP in the garage then standing outside to listen for problems (whilst having a fag!) . I am at least 20dB down at 1kHz ref 50Hz (still hear hum very well!) and then ears go off a cliff. The last octave of the piano is just a clunk to me.

I do not however agree with the Nanny State intervening and limiting headphone levels (well, ok for toys) Like booze and fags, we must be free to bugger ourselves up but there should be LOTS of education and paid for by the vendors of these things.

Forgot: I do not suffer tinnitus and for that I am eternally grateful!

Dave.

**mjbphotos** · 12-27-2017

I've got tinnitus, sometimes its worse than other times, and my left ear is worse than my right one - the ear that was usually facing the drummer in my bands.
My first concert was Mountain - who had a wall full of amps. When they started playing I think the people in the first 10 rows of folding chairs got blown over.
A few years later I saw Led Zep on the Song Remains the Same Tour, we were sitting Loge Right - even height with the PA speakers, about 30 feet away. I was deaf in my right ear for 5 days after that. I never listened much to headphones or earbuds, but I wonder about today's younger crowd, some who have earbuds in all the time - and if I can hear it when they walk by me,, I know its loud!

**raybbj** · 12-28-2017

Funny how the only 3 people to respond to this thread are people who have damaged their ears/hearing. I hope all the young folks out there aren't thinking "it'll never happen to me". I do think in 20 and 30 years time, all these young people who grew up with BEATS ear buds in their ears 24/7 are going to wake up one day and wonder why thy have tinnitus, even if they're not musicians or have never been to a Zeppelin concert and sat 30 feet from the house monitors.

**ecc83** · 12-28-2017

Originally Posted by raybbj

Funny how the only 3 people to respond to this thread are people who have damaged their ears/hearing. I hope all the young folks out there aren't thinking "it'll never happen to me". I do think in 20 and 30 years time, all these young people who grew up with BEATS ear buds in their ears 24/7 are going to wake up one day and wonder why thy have tinnitus, even if they're not musicians or have never been to a Zeppelin concert and sat 30 feet from the house monitors.

Whilst not FOR A MOMENT saying anything against all the warnings! I would like to point out that I did NOT damage my hearing! At the age of about 55 I asked my GP about it and was sent for an audiogram. Result was "Early onset senile deafness" ! Mostly in my right ear and I was proscribed an analogue aid. I had another test at about 60 and was given two digital aids*.

They DO help but really only 'one on one' where I don't have a lot of difficulty anyway IF I get a sensitive speaker. Music sounds S.H.I.T! through them.

I am lucky, I can still enjoy music through my Tannoy 5As . TV sound is a problem. Dialogue is often lost but that is as much the poncey producers fault as anything. The very early Dave Att' stuff had music but I can STILL hear his narration. Not so Blue Planet ll !

*Phenomenal digital engineering! Turn one side up and the other one tracks with it! Do not EVER complain about tiny connectors? The ones on H aids are bloody PIN heads almost! Quite a bit of latency mind.

Dave.

**jimmys69** · 12-28-2017

My ears have been through hell over the 35+ years of playing in bands and recording. I do wish that I would have worn ear protection.

Though as a young kid I was supposed to have some type of 'tubes' placed in my ear canals. Whatever that means. For some reason my momma declined the surgery. I never asked why...

I do notice I have less ability to hear high end frequencies in one of my ears. That may be the one that took a hit when playing bottle rocket wars in the park when I was 11. Those were the days...

I have always had an aversion to wearing earplugs. I cannot use earbuds and in fact can't stand wearing headphones or anything over my ears. Even wearing a hoodie makes me uncomfortable. It is amazing I am able to even mix anything. Hmm.. Maybe I am in the wrong business? LOL

**Battlegun** · 12-29-2017

I'm pretty sure most of you older gentlemen never were taught this important lesson. So, thank you raybbj for bringing this issue up; I feel that too many of us younger generation take our ears for granted.

Though I have a question: Which damages the ears the most at high volumes? Ear-buds, on-the-ear, over-the-ear, or no headphones in general?

**mjbphotos** · 12-30-2017

ALL high volumes do damage.

**mixsit** · 12-30-2017

I'm identifying with Jimmy now. Except add in GUNS. Lots and lots of them actually.
Almost always had protection (sometimes plugs under 'phones). But not while playing.
But early on.. ten years old and before we knew better

Dad bought me 200 rnds of 22 short to get me off his back. Took his pistol to the range, I don't remember trouble' with that at the time.. But I was 'coveting the guy with a 1911 45 a few spaces down.. I still vividly remember on my first shot. Instant LOUD ringing.
Considering... at 67, I feel lucky to 'only' have moderate amounts of hearing damage.

Did I mention?
"No Wayne you didn't. "
The 'Twin over 4 - JBL D130's guitar rig.