Hi folks.
Maybe a bit of an odd request, but I've found myself with mild tinnitus in my left ear that seems to have gotten progressively worse over the past year or so. It initially happened after a Mogwai gig a few years ago that was insanely loud but things recovered ok after a couple of weeks, but a spate of gigs close together in 2016 seems to have sent it over the edge so now I have the mild kind of "whooshing" noise when the ambient noise is absolutely silent. It's not really bothering me but I don't want it to get any worse and still really want to go out and see bands. So I'm thinking it's earplug time.
I'm looking for some cheap-ish gig friendly earplugs and was hoping someone here may be a sound engineer or musician who could offer some advice. I've used earplugs on motorbikes for 18 years but they are pretty crude and even trying my custom fitted bike ones at a gig didn't work very well - it muffled everything and it basically sounded crap.
I've had a look around online but it's hard to tell what's what. A mate has some he got from amazon for something like £15 and reckons they're fine, I've also got a heap of disposable foam ones already... these may be all I need but any advice would help. I just want to reduce the dB level but still be able to hear what they're playing properly. Is this a can't have your cake and eat it job?
Cheers.
Andy
Comments
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
I've gone back to foam plugs for drumming- the moulded ones block out too much of the band and I can't hear what they are doing.
Hopefully we are going to all more to IEM's soon.
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Always wear earplugs at rock band gigs. Almost every gig is loud enough to need them.
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
I decided I better do something now, so the options were quit going to gigs or get earplugs.
I'll take a look at those Pro 17s too, thanks @CarpeDiem
Yeah, to be honest pisstaking or feeling like I have to explain wearing plugs at a gig are two main reasons why I've not done it before. I often had a slight ringing for 24-48hrs but the last couple of loud ones I was at the ringing stretched to a week - or more even. My right ear is totally fine but my left is definitely affected now. It's not really bothering me as it is mild, but I'm pretty sure my hearing is worse than it was and I just don't want to make it any worse and wake up one day with it at an intolerable level.
It's probably as much mental as anything, but when it is completely silent (like lying in bed or something) I find myself noticing it and then wondering if it's all in my head. It's not though as my right ear is completely silent so I know something is wrong with my left as it's not like that.
Nearly 20 years on motorbikes and 12-15 years working in construction mean I'm well aware of tinnitus and always wore earplugs, yet here I am with it anyway...!
I have some I got from Amazon, around the 15-20 quid mark. Pefectly good, save damaging my hearing any further and if anything improve my gig enjoyment as they remove any annoying harsh attack (which my ears really cannot take these days)
For my own gigs I use in-ears and wouldn't dream of gigging without something in my ears to protect them from the reality of a live drum kit and a cranked guitar amp.