Rock Concerts & Ear Protection

[LawMonkey]

This Thursday, I'll be going to my fourth or fifth Flogging Molly concert. The lads always put on a heck of a show, and I make a point of seeing them most every time they pass nearby. (My dream show would be a Flogging Molly / Gogol Bordello double-headline--obviously I dig this ethno-punk thing that's been going on lately. :D)

I love good music, and I love a loud rock 'n roll show. On the other hand, I'm pretty fond of my hearing, especially as that's what lets me enjoy the music that I love. Concerned for my hearing, which is probably already slightly damaged (I have trouble hearing folks occasionally, and have a tinnitus that I notice in very silent environments, such as just before falling asleep), I've been considering wearing a set of earplugs at the show. I don't suppose it can make me much more of a square than I already am, being a 29 year old law student and all.

So aside from the "looking like a dork" thing, I'm concerned that the muffled sound will dampen my enjoyment of the evening. Has anyone else done this--worn hearing protection at a rock n' roll show? How was the experience?

If it's not clear, I'm looking for encouragement--I know this is the right thing to do to protect my hearing from further damage, I just feel a bit odd about it.

[Pork Rind]

These (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx) are supposed to be ideal for your intended use.

[control-z]

Yeah I know what you mean, I go to small clubs and am often right next to the speakers. Gets really loud. I don't wanna look like a dork but also don't like the idea of not being able to hear the music properly. I wish they'd crank those amps to about 3/4 of capacity instead of 110%.

[WordMan]

These (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx) are supposed to be ideal for your intended use.


LawMonkey, You're being smart.

Funny, I was going to get in this thread and mention that I buy Hearo's Ear Protectors (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hearos-High-Fidelity-Ear-Filters?sku=421214) from the local Guitar Center or online, via the link I provided to Musician's friend. But Pork Rind's link is to the exact same product.

Good stuff.

[TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW]

The vast majority of the audience wears plugs at my shows that I play and go to, and we're talking about the most cred-heavy dudes you'll meet - the type that would sneer at Flogging Molly. Join the cool kids and keep your hearing.

[Mahna Mahna]

While I've never worn earplugs to a punk show, I've done it many a time to a variety of hip hop and electronic shows. If anything, I think I enjoyed the performances a whole lot more since the plugs tend to make the sound cleaner, if that makes any sense. Many venues here think that louder = better, to the point of distorting the sound beyond all recognition.

There's something to be said for being able to walk out of a show without my ears ringing. I like to have a lasting impression, but not in a physical sense. :P

Anyone giving you a dirty look is just jealous that they were too self-conscious to wear a pair, IMO. Flaunt your self-preserving dorkiness!

[silenus]

I've worn earplugs to pretty much every concert since my first exposure to the Rolling Stones, back before most of you were born. Sometimes it was just wadded-up tissue, but then I found these. (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/blshearpl.html) Designed for shooters, they work just as well in a club.

[LawMonkey]

The "high-fidelity" protectors were something I wasn't aware of, and look to be the (nearly) perfect solution to the problem. (Given the typical concert decibel levels, I could ask for greater attenuation, but it seems like a fair trade.)

I will make a trek out to Guitar Center or the like this week before the show, and enjoy the relatively ring-free ears afterwards!

Thanks all!

[control-z]

Yeah I think I'll try those out too. Nice find!

[Sean Factotum]

I used to go to shows, 3 or 4 a week, in the mid-80s. I wish I had worn those little foam ear plugs back then. I've got about 60% hearing remaining in my left ear and even less than that in my right. I go out a couple of times a month now to hear live bands, and I'll even turn around and go home to get some if I discover that I don't have any on me.

They work good enough for me, and don't reduce the quality of the sound of the band, just the volume.

[Cat Whisperer]

I'll add my vote for protecting your ears, and I'll add my rant that bands in large venues are too busy making things loud and not concerned enough with making things sound good. The last concert we went to the music was so loud it was distorted and basically damned unpleasant (and I wear earplugs to every show, too). If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it at every concert I go to and make the music level much more human-friendly.

And yes, I may be too damned old.

ETA: The last concert we went to was a hip hip/rap artist - I'm 41. :D

[drachillix]

So aside from the "looking like a dork" thing, I'm concerned that the muffled sound will dampen my enjoyment of the evening. Has anyone else done this--worn hearing protection at a rock n' roll show? How was the experience?

In my EMT days I was part of what we called the "special events team" We worked concerts, football games, races, etc. Take it from this guy who dosent hear so well at 37 that I have a hard time imagining that some of the noise exposure I had as a 20-something did not damage my hearing. Be a dork who can still hear at 30.

[gaffa]

I'd recommend the Etymotic Research ones, and if you go to a lot of shows consider having a custom fit pair of their Musicians's Earplugs (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx) made. The difference between their product and more general ones, or ones for shooters, is that they are designed by audiologists to reduce volume evenly over the entire audible range. Shooters earplugs will block a lot more high frequencies.

You're paying good money for tickets, it's worth investing a little more in getting the maximum enjoyment from the experience. And as for the "if it's too loud, you're too old crowd"? Just ask Pete Townshend. I saw him perform his rock opera "Lifehouse" in London, and the poor guy had to literally put his head next to the speaker to tune his guitar.

Enjoy the show! Just saw Flogging Molly at the Beaumont Club in Kansas City, MO last Tuesday. Some friends of mine are on tour with them, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band (http://www.bigdamnband.com/). Hope you dig them - they play a sort of punk/delta blues. I put a clip up on YouTube (with the band's permission). The song is not really like most of their other stuff, but it features two members of Flogging Molly "Two Bottles of Wine" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fe0tNZ-5ek).

[FlightlessBird]

I'm all for wearing ear protection at a show! I find it actually helps me hear the show. By cutting down the top and low ends, I can actually make out the lead singers' words. Crazy huh!

[Maus Magill]

I'd been wearing earplugs to shows for the last couple of years. Oddly enough, I can hear the show better with them in. It's also nice, because I can hear when I leave, too.

I use these little foam rubber jobbers that you can get at the rug store for about two bucks for six pairs. They work just fine.

[Marley23]

My father (55) always does it and he's a regular concertgoer. I've heard from him and others that these days, the design of earplugs has advanced to the point where you don't lose any particular part of the sound, they just lower the volume. I've never worn them myself because I don't quite believe it's that good, but if they were ruining the shows he'd have stopped doing it.

[Bobotheoptimist]

The incessant ringing and buzzing noises you'll eventually hear 24/7, coupled with the loss of certain ranges and occasional muting in one ear, is just something you have to deal with if you want to be cool like me. Stand right next to a stack and rock on!

Yeah, I wish I was worried about my hearing 20 years ago.

[Darryl Lict]

I'm 50 and have been wearing earplugs at concerts probably since I've been 25. There is not a chance that I could remember to bring expensive earplugs, so I usually just stuff napkins in my ears, even though it severely attenuates the high end frequencies. Occasionally, I'll remember to bring some foam earplugs, but that is rare. My hearing ain't so hot. I have a hard time hearing in a noisy bar, but i'm not nearly as deaf as a lot of my peers.

I'm an old fart and pretty uncool, so I don't really give a fuck what people think. I constantly marvel at retards who play their iPods so loud on public transportation that you can't carry on a conversation. Those people will be pretty uncool when they are 30 and can't hear for shit.

[gaffa]

I'm 50 and have been wearing earplugs at concerts probably since I've been 25. There is not a chance that I could remember to bring expensive earplugs, so I usually just stuff napkins in my ears, even though it severely attenuates the high end frequencies. Occasionally, I'll remember to bring some foam earplugs, but that is rare. My hearing ain't so hot. I have a hard time hearing in a noisy bar, but i'm not nearly as deaf as a lot of my peers.
I was a sound engineer in the 70s and 80s and always had ear-plugs. In that job, it's just a reasonable protection, like wearing a hard hat on a construction site. Since I was doing it, sound systems have evolved to the point where you can deliver quality sound to nearly every point in a club or arena. And many bands are using "in-ear monitors", so they no longer have to boost the volume of the main system to overcome the stage monitor speakers. The best sound is when the instrument amps are off-stage as well, so the lead guitarist can get the "tone" he wants - which always seems to involve the amp cranked to 11 - without killing the ears of the poor saps in the line of fire.


I'm an old fart and pretty uncool, so I don't really give a fuck what people think.
The thing is, to not "give a fuck what other people think" is a pretty good definition of "cool". Sheep care about what other people think.


I constantly marvel at retards who play their iPods so loud on public transportation that you can't carry on a conversation. Those people will be pretty uncool when they are 30 and can't hear for shit.
Don't you know? Humans are immortal and unchanging until about age 27. Or a friend dies. Whichever comes first.

[jtgain]

You all aren't listening to music. It's just noise. Now get off of my lawn!

[Cardinal]

[QUOTE=LawMonkey
So aside from the "looking like a dork" thing, I'm concerned that the muffled sound will dampen my enjoyment of the evening. Has anyone else done this--worn hearing protection at a rock n' roll show? How was the experience? [/QUOTE]
I went to sooo many rock shows in my younger days. Here's the free way to be responsible: stuff about 1/3 of a toliet paper sheet in each ear (amount may vary). Sometimes it even improves the sound. The real point, though, is that I never had that deaf feeling at the end, if I'd been using those. I still seem to hear just about like everyone else.

[Queen Bruin]

After 5+ years of having a heavy metal band in my livingroom, I can tell you I sorely wish I had used ear protection. I did the last two or so, but the three did their toll.

Wear your earplugs, worry about looking like a dork later.

[Jonathan Chance]

The "high-fidelity" protectors were something I wasn't aware of, and look to be the (nearly) perfect solution to the problem. (Given the typical concert decibel levels, I could ask for greater attenuation, but it seems like a fair trade.)

I will make a trek out to Guitar Center or the like this week before the show, and enjoy the relatively ring-free ears afterwards!

Thanks all!

Another veteran, checking in. Wear them, unlike me, you might have most of your hearing when you're in your forties.

You're doing the right thing.

[Savannah]

I put my first pair of earplugs in for a Metallica concert. Looking like a dork? I don't think so. I have long hair and wore it down, and besides, who's looking at my ears? It's a rock concert. They're looking at the stage or at their significant partner or at someone far more outrageous than me. Wear the plugs, enjoy the show.

[Spoke]

Your hearing is more important than your image. I always either wear plugs or at least stuff some tissue in my ears. My dad was about half-deaf by the time I was born (from working in a loud factory), and I don't want to wind up the same way.

[commasense]

A mildly contrary view.

I would just like to say, as a former sound engineer, that while I can't fault anyone for using hearing protection, IMHO occasional and relatively brief exposure to high decibel levels is unlikely to result in permanent hearing loss. From all that I've read on the subject (and I was concerned enough about my own hearing to use protection occasionally back in the 1970s when I was mixing) it's regular exposure over a long period of time that does the real damage. My father rode the NYC subway to school every day and his hearing above about 2,000 Hz is pretty much shot.

But my understanding is that the ears can easily recover from occasional exposure to loud sounds. So coming away from a concert with your ears ringing every couple of months probably won't mean deafness or tinnitus by 50. Of course, it's different if you go to concerts every night.

So if you'd rather not use protectors, you'll probably be fine, as long as you don't make a major habit of it.

But if, after reading what everyone else has said, you feel like using earplugs, then by all means.

ETA: I just saw the line in the OP about the slight existing damage and tinnitus. Forget what I said. Use the damn earplugs!

[Bobotheoptimist]

But my understanding is that the ears can easily recover from occasional exposure to loud sounds. So coming away from a concert with your ears ringing every couple of months probably won't mean deafness or tinnitus by 50. Of course, it's different if you go to concerts every night.

So if you'd rather not use protectors, you'll probably be fine, as long as you don't make a major habit of it.Hmm... Maybe it was the years of shooting without hearing protection that caused the problems instead of the concerts. Nah, how can I not blame 80's hair metal?

[Joey P]

I don't wear earplugs but I do tend to plug my ears with my fingers ALOT during concerts. I get strange looks, but most people thank me after they try it. It makes the music sound ALOT better. Much clearer, get's rid of alot of the distortion and I can hear the vocals and individual instruments much better. On top off all that, as counter-intuitive as it is, I can actually talk to the person next to me and hear what they are saying much easier.

[Cisco]

I'm getting some of those high-fidelity plugs. Thanks for the tip.

I saw Rage Against the Machine back in '97 and they were turned up so loud I didn't hear one word the singer sang or one note on the guitar. Worst show I ever saw.

My dad has been a jet mechanic for 35 years and has never worn ear protection. Needless to say I know how important it is.

[Cat Whisperer]

The way I understand it, if you've exposed your ears to a sound loud enough to make them ring afterwards, you've done permanent hearing damage. Maybe a couple of concerts in a lifetime won't make *that* big a difference, but concerts aren't your only exposure, and some of us (like me and my family) have congenitally bad eyesight, and the chance of losing two of my favourite senses is not appealing to me.

[Quercus]

And of course with earplugs, some people will think you're a dork, but those in the know will think you're a serious musician.

[Spit]

I always use the silicone type like these (http://www.macksearplugs.com/product2.htm). They work, and they are more difficult to see. (Thus eliminating the dorkiness)

[Marley23]

The way I understand it, if you've exposed your ears to a sound loud enough to make them ring afterwards, you've done permanent hearing damage.
I haven't read anything about this in a while, but my latest understanding was that commasense is right and occasional concerts do not do permanent hearing damage.

But since I ride the subway every day, I guess I'm screwed either way. :p

[Bridget Burke]

Another vote FOR earplugs. Here's the poster for My First Ever Rock Show (http://www.faculty.missouristate.edu/d/DennisHickey/catacombs.jpg)! Mom dropped me off early, so I got a good seat. Right on the front row! At one point, I was jammed up against an amp. (The Moving Sidewalks was Billy Gibbon's pre-ZZ Top band.)

Later years put me in several music venues--as customer & waitress. (And occasional Bar Band Groupie!) Lotsa fine music, but definite damage. (I do resent the 2 evenings serving beer to Ted Nugent fans--there was no upside.

Haven't gotten the numbers on hearing loss--but there's definitely tinnitus. Will definitely invest in some fine earplugs before my next BIG show. In the meantime--those little napkins work fine for small clubs. No, I don't mind looking dorky.

[WordMan]

Another vote FOR earplugs. Here's the poster for My First Ever Rock Show (http://www.faculty.missouristate.edu/d/DennisHickey/catacombs.jpg)! Mom dropped me off early, so I got a good seat. Right on the front row! At one point, I was jammed up against an amp. (The Moving Sidewalks was Billy Gibbon's pre-ZZ Top band.)

Later years put me in several music venues--as customer & waitress. (And occasional Bar Band Groupie!) Lotsa fine music, but definite damage. (I do resent the 2 evenings serving beer to Ted Nugent fans--there was no upside.

Haven't gotten the numbers on hearing loss--but there's definitely tinnitus. Will definitely invest in some fine earplugs before my next BIG show. In the meantime--those little napkins work fine for small clubs. No, I don't mind looking dorky.


Wow - how cool is that?! Well, I suppose the only thing that would've been cooler is if it was with Hendrix - I know the Sidewalks opened for Jimi at least once; he supposedly complimented the Good Reverend Willy G. on his playing - and gave him a pink Strat, which Billy now has sitting next to Pearly Gates and other amazing guitars in his collection.

Lost some of your hearing to the Noodge, eh? Yeah, sorry, kinda not worth it! ;)

I have played for decades and never suffered appreciable hearing loss. Then I was wrestling with my then-2-year-old daughter and she squealed in my ear - LOUDLY. I heard a pop and my hearing in that ear has never been the same - I have to use ear plugs or I feel pain in the ear with loud noises...

So if it isn't the Noodge, it's your kid - or the subway. There's always something...

[Scuba_Ben]

I was at Blue Man Group over the weekend. I was wearing foam earplugs that provide (IIRC) -28 dB suppression, and it STILL wasn't enough for me. Maybe my ear was just hypersensitive that day, as this strength usually works well for me.

If the concert is any good, people will be watching the stage and not your ears, IMnshO.

[Critical1]

what someone needs to do is create an mp3 thats about 8 hours long (or a short one and just put it on repeat) that contains nothing but a high pitched faint whine.

then you can just put this track on your ipod and leave it playing for the rest OF YOUR LIFE.

yeah the ringing in my ears never stops ever, if it did I would probably wonder what the hell just happened.

for me it was some concerts but I wear and have worn earplugs to most of the shows I have been to. I think most of mine came from my stereo in my car. way to loud way to often.

I dont know what idiot would think you were a dork for wearing earplugs but if thats the way they feel then they dont have an opinion worth worrying about anyway.

[Spit]

I haven't read anything about this in a while, but my latest understanding was that commasense is right and occasional concerts do not do permanent hearing damage.

But since I ride the subway every day, I guess I'm screwed either way. :p

I dunno man....At my first rock show, I was stoked becaused I was in the front row- Right next to a speaker as tall as I am. I had no idea it would be that loud, and I didn't think about the damage. My left ear has never been the same, and I have had tinnitus since that time. I guess it depends on the person.

[gaffa]

Lost some of your hearing to the Noodge, eh? Yeah, sorry, kinda not worth it! ;)
I worked a Nugent concert once, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. I learned two valuable lessons:

1: That vast wall of guitar amps? Most of them are empty boxes.
2: Nugent wears earplugs.

[Cat Whisperer]

I think we need an audiologist to rule on this - Abraca Deborah, you hanging around anywhere?

[kelly5078]

I always protect my ears when listening to live music, and have for many years. I just use wadded up Kleenex (wadded loosely to more effectively baffle the sound). It attenuates high frequencies more than low, which for me is a good thing, as I am more susceptible to pain from high frequencies. I couldn't care less how it looks to a bunch of strangers.

I'm probably going to spring for some custom earplugs soon, though, because when I'm playing I prefer not to have the aforementioned attenuation.

[Marley23]

I dunno man....At my first rock show, I was stoked becaused I was in the front row- Right next to a speaker as tall as I am. I had no idea it would be that loud, and I didn't think about the damage. My left ear has never been the same, and I have had tinnitus since that time. I guess it depends on the person.
I would never say that standing next to a speaker at a loud show can't hurt your hearing. I'm saying that in general, concert attendance does not do that.

gaff, I've read that Nugent wears one earplug. He's already deaf in the other ear.

[control-z]

Ok, silly question. I got some of these Hearos that are supposed to reduce sound without muffling it. You can see the instructions on this page: http://hearos.com/earplugs/products-00211.html

It says the end cap (clear part with squared-off end) is not to be removed while product is worn. Well when DO you remove it, just to clean them?

[WordMan]

Ok, silly question. I got some of these Hearos that are supposed to reduce sound without muffling it. You can see the instructions on this page: http://hearos.com/earplugs/products-00211.html

It says the end cap (clear part with squared-off end) is not to be removed while product is worn. Well when DO you remove it, just to clean them?


No clue - I never read the instructions, git that I am. I just used them and clean them as they are - a bit of soap and water every now and then and life is good.

[LawMonkey]

Concert was last night. I didn't have a chance to make it out to a musician store to get the good earplugs, so I made do with the ones that I use to sleep in on weekends. They worked great--didn't significantly affect my enjoyment of the music, and it was lovely to be able to hear things when I walked out at the end of the night.

Great show, too, and Rev. Peyton was a hoot, gaffa. :D

[Cat Whisperer]

Ok, silly question. I got some of these Hearos that are supposed to reduce sound without muffling it. You can see the instructions on this page: http://hearos.com/earplugs/products-00211.html
<snip>
Those look just like what I want. Unfortunately, they want $32 to ship them to Canada. Anyone want to buy a couple pairs for me and put them in the mail? (Post from US to Canada for one envelope is nowhere near $32). Sam Ash has the best price for them ($9.99 a pair).

Oh, I'll pay you back for the earplugs and the shipping. Not looking for a gift here. :D

[Cat Whisperer]

Never mind - I found a place where they only charge $4 shipping. Seriously, have online stores never heard of shipping by mail? US Post, Canada Post ship across the border all the time.