PSA: Your Hearing
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My grandfather worked in a steel mill and fought in the Israeli war for independence. Needless to say he couldn't hear very well in his later days. This has made me keenly aware of the pain and discomfort that I used to feel after shows, especially in the kinds of smaller venues that Spafford is currently playing.
I'm curious if you guys take your hearing seriously. I wonder a bit what Jam culture is going to be like 30 years down the road when we've all blown our eardrums.
This is a bit of a PSA, and a question too. I use etymotic earplugs because Sashi suggested them to me a while back. They're cheap enough, come in a case, and go in my pocket before any shows. I actually find the music sounds BETTER when I use them. With that said, I'm not endorsing the product. I'm asking if anybody has a better option or one they like more.
Yeah. Protect your ears guys. Turn the music down to the lowest that you can when you've got your headphones on. Joni said it best, "don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone."
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Started wearing a set of good ones towards the end of the Bakers Dozen when a buddy told me they are great for blocking out the chompers. I love everything about them! I heard the band much clearer than ever before, and couldn't hear the people behind me screaming their conversations! By the end of the dozen I swore I would never do a show without them... and then completly forgot them when I went to Spafford last month. I just need to get in the habit of bringing them.
Saving you ears is important and all, but for me the number one reason I wear them is the clarity of the music.
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@TheWholeWayHome said in PSA: Your Hearing:
Started wearing a set of good ones towards the end of the Bakers Dozen when a buddy told me they are great for blocking out the chompers. I love everything about them! I heard the band much clearer than ever before, and couldn't hear the people behind me screaming their conversations! ...
Saving you ears is important and all, but for me the number one reason I wear them is the clarity of the music.
Yeah man, great point. If you think about it, the chompers are shouting OVER the already loud music, and they're close to your ears. They're probably worse for you than the speakers and they offer nothing in exchange for what they take.
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@damian
I’ve seen something like 500 live concerts, and I really, really wish I’d started wearing earplugs much earlier. I don’t have any real quiet time anymore. Tinnitus is real. The only upside is that listening to music at a safe(r) level alleviates the ringing now. So I’m always listening to music. Thanks for putting this out there, much love. -
@SpaffPrise that's a bummer man. Glad to hear that the music soothes.
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@SpaffPrise "one good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain"
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I bought a pair, but I haven't used them yet. I plan to use them from now on though! I get ringing in my ears occasionally and really do not want it to get any worse! Lol
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Earplugs are so key for shows especially at smaller venues where the sound can be so loud. The chomper filter may be the best feature!
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Need a category for "Used When Needed" I always care my Etymotics on my keychain and definitely use them if I feel the dbs are too high.
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@kfox527 Also, it is totally worth investing in a good pair. I forgot mine at North Coast and had to use a pair of foamies from the med tent. It was far too muffled to be enjoyable.
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@kfox527 said in PSA: Your Hearing:
@kfox527 Also, it is totally worth investing in a good pair. I forgot mine at North Coast and had to use a pair of foamies from the med tent. It was far too muffled to be enjoyable.
Muffled temporarily by foam > Muffled forever.
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I realize I should but I never have. This past year, at a Kung Fu show I stood directly in front of Tim Palmieri’s Supro at the rail. My left ear rang for two days afterward. Should have learned my lesson from that, but instead I just avoid being directly in front of anyone’s amps or the PA. I will look into those earpieces you spoke of, because I would like to protect my hearing but not lose and sound quality at the show.
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@603Brett I highly recommend the brand etymotic, you can find them on amazon for like $20.
I've also heard good things about eargasm and earpeace.
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@Lopez thank you kind Sir. I’ll get myself a pair and try them out at JRAD.
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@603Brett said in PSA: Your Hearing:
@Lopez thank you kind Sir. I’ll get myself a pair and try them out at JRAD.
These are the ones I have. They're good though I have to say that sometimes I wish I had a bit more protection. But... They don't muffle the sound and they're certainly better than nothing.
