Big_Stu Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Since there's another new thread containing advice on using headphones for practise and it's come up many times previously I'm curious as to the general consensus about it? Due to very many Slade & Motorhead gigs mostly - and to a lesser degree my own unprotected playing I now have permanent tinnitus; which can be a total b*stard when it gets to you. Also have mid-range loss from the same causes which makes conversation in any noisy background awkward too. I use some Sennheiser h'phones on the hi-fi which can worsen the tinnitus for a few hours but it returns to normal levels (so far ). So far as bass practise is concerned I never use headphones, to me FWIW - it's a womping massively deep & high impact note compared to hi-fi which is a blend of ranges obviously. But for those that do, is it a case of just not being stupid with levels in which case you lose some of the dynamics, do you still use plugs/protection, just wing it, only use them for play-along with other music coming through the amp too like hi-fi listening or what? I wouldn't wish tinnitus on anyone so if it can be avoided by this question then all the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 "I use some Sennheiser h'phones on the hi-fi which can worsen the tinnitus for a few hours " Then stop it! Every single time it worsened you are increasing the permanent damage. If your hearing is that f***ed then you should be seriously considering giving up bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 Yeah, your first point is done to the point of being negligible, maybe once a month & the second one is underway, rest of the time it's through the speakers at reasonable levels. Big stuff is up for grabs, some gone already - keeping my practise amps, ........................ until the GAS makes me start all over again............... probably. As I say though, can using headphones on practise amps screw up other's hearing, or have any found ways around it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I use headphones (actually, the in ear buds) when I practice and have never had a problem, but that's probably because I don't have it loud at all. I don't like anything particularly loud (good choice of hobby eh? Haha). And I always use earplugs at rehearsal and gigs. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get any damage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 So many different H&S things that get told; "if you don't get the two day whistle afterwards, you're safe", "if others can't hear it from your headphones, you're safe" etc. How much is true I dunno. I know it started with loud gigs by others, now it's just damage limitation, without living the life of a recluse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) I can't bear loud noise anymore. I even wear my earplugs when I go to the cinema cos its so loud, never mind gigs and concerts. I've even found myself putting them in when I'm in the pub, even without music or a band on. But back to the OP, you must do everything you can to avoid making things worse. I think I caught mine in time. Whenever I practice at home I use a guitar combo as I can practice at a decent level without all the rumblings going through to next door. My music comes through my surround system. I could link it into the aux in of the combo and use headphones but I abhor cables anywhere near me, that'swhy I use a wireless system when I gig Edited January 6, 2013 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1357437075' post='1922755']I can't bear loud noise anymore.[/quote] Not that I can't stand loud noise, but in a similar vein the only playing I've done recently has been acoustic nights in a real ale pub. All I need now is my cable knit cardigan and a pipe. I'd get black-balled if my Motorhead mates heard about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 In line with the old argument that [i]guns don't kill people, it's people who kill people[/i] you may want to consider the idea that [i]headphones don't give you tinnitus, it's over-loud music that gives you tinnitus[/i]. See if you can find a volume knob on your headphone amp ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 I know what you mean; as I understand it hi-fi, iPods etc all have to have volume limiters in them these days. Certainly under normal circumstances the headphones are a lot quieter at full tilt than some I had years ago - and my good old cassette personal stereo could do (I'm THAT old!). But this is all after the fact, so it's a limitation exercise now. In another aspect I'm sure that it was my bass that destroyed my last pair of Senns thru a practise amp..... the ones I have now are going nowhere near it. I remember as a noob the day after a gig with my Marshall SuperPA amp I wanted to try something new; plugged my Tandy DJs 'phones into a speaker out & "doinged" an open E to tune it, instantly being reminded it was still on full tilt . That was the start of the slippery slope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1357425690' post='1922628'] I use headphones (actually, the in ear buds) when I practice and have never had a problem, but that's probably because I don't have it loud at all. I don't like anything particularly loud (good choice of hobby eh? Haha). And I always use earplugs at rehearsal and gigs. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get any damage [/quote] That's an interesting comment - *I* don't like it too loud either.. i even play my drums quietly! Not sure what high volume adds other than pain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1357437075' post='1922755'] I can't bear loud noise anymore. I even wear my earplugs when I go to the cinema cos its so loud, never mind gigs and concerts. I've even found myself putting them in when I'm in the pub, even without music or a band on. [/quote] Funnily enough i'm the same - I wear ear plugs in bed every night... now can't sleep without them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1357507145' post='1923830'] Funnily enough i'm the same - I wear ear plugs in bed every night... now can't sleep without them! [/quote] Yep me too. Also wear earplugs when my other half and I are watching TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I wear my ER15's when using proper headphones to practice. I prefer to practice to open air though. When rehearsing, I always use ear plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiltyG565 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I was born 90% deaf in my right ear, which was corrected, but i have always had tinnitus, and i assumed most people had tinnitus, but then i found it some people were foolish enough to bring it on to themselves voluntarily. Best advice i could give is to never go to band practice or even a gig without hearing protection. Never listen to your music louder than it needs to be. if you're on a bus, you'll never drown out all the noise, so don't even try. I got my hearing checked by a hearing specialist in the hospital, and he said my hearing fall just in the bounds of normal. I can hear alright, there's just a lot of fuzz, like my ears have a constant mild overdrive effect. The doctor said that most people will get tinnitus with age, so as you get older, you will just find it getting more noticeable, and along with that, every 10 years, you lose about 1000hz of range off the top, i believe. So if you started at 20Khz, by the time you are 80, you are only hearing about 12khz, couple that with the tinnitus, and you are deaf. If you aren't deaf, chances are you don't hear all the high frequency sounds that make up out language, like the 'S' sounds, and 'K' sounds, nearly everything but a guttural sound. Those are a couple of facts about hearing i have picked up over the past couple of years, and if any of you are gigging and practicing regularly, i advise you use hearing protection at each and every gig (playing or just attending for fun), because once the hearing goes, that is it amigo. At the very least, your hearing should last you until you retire, 65/70ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I never do any band stuff without some form of ear protection, even acoustic rehearsals, or go to gigs without it. I need some moulded plugs when I can afford it. Your hearing sounds past the point of shot to me. I think it's time to start seriously thinking about the damage there, and turn your headphones down a lot. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 [quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1357634883' post='1925539']Your hearing sounds past the point of shot to me.[/quote] To the point where tinnitus is - so far - incurable & the thing about talking in noisy areas then yes. Very strangely though; a few years ago for a job I had to have a full medical & the result of that was that, despite the tinnitus, I had the hearing ability of someone 10-15 years younger. That was 4 years ago & I don't think it's changed since, so far as I've noticed, only been to two Motorhead gigs since that would be seen as a threat, any others have been too quiet to pose one - though it hasn't stopped me taking plugs anyway. Really the only thing I can't do is enjoy peace & quiet when I'm out & about; eg. we were up at our time-share in the Lakes for new year, very still, misty scenic beauty & all that, loads of rushing water everywhere - but it was as though I could still hear a river quietly in the background even when we were miles away from any. There may not have been many replies to this, but I'm glad of those who do protect their hearing. When I was growing up it would have been seen to being soft to use ear-plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1357642290' post='1925696'] There may not have been many replies to this, but I'm glad of those who do protect their hearing. When I was growing up it would have been seen to being soft to use ear-plugs. [/quote] My band mates do occasionally make the odd joke, but my thoughts are why let my (already damaged) hearing get worse at my age, when i'll have to live with it for the rest of my life, so i just brush it off. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Yeah, pub punters in particular like to make comments. I'd prefer to be able to hear though. I have tinnitus from something not connected to loud music, but I'll do everything I can to protect my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1357507145' post='1923830'] Funnily enough i'm the same - I wear ear plugs in bed every night... now can't sleep without them! [/quote] Mrs FF wears earplugs in bed. Something to do with snoring . . . though I've never heard it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.