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Ear Plugs Don’t Work


Billy Apple

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I was talking to a specialist audiologist Doctor last week and he says ear plugs don’t work. The reason being is that much of what you hear is picked up from the bone just behind your lug-flaps. His recommendation is ear defenders as they cover the bone too.

also tinnitus is not fully understood and is just as likely to be blood pressure or neurological.

Edited by Billy Apple
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There probably is sound transferred through the bone (probably lower frequencies rather than higher frequencies) but take an ear plug out mid set and hear the difference. IMO they are definitely reducing the volume getting to the ear drum.

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I guess it depends what you want to achieve as to whether they work or not.

I hate the ringing I used to get after seeing bands or practicing with a loud drummer. I also used to get headaches after prolonged practices at full volume, which then made me feel awful the following day.

I started using earplugs with a certain level of dB reduction and all that went away, so I guess for what I wanted to achieve they work wonders.

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55 minutes ago, Billy Apple said:

I was talking to a specialist audiologist Doctor last week and he says ear plugs don’t work. The reason being is that much of what you hear is picked up from the bone just behind your lug-flaps. His recommendation is ear defenders as they cover the bone too.

also tinnitus is not fully understood and is just as likely to be blood pressure or neurological.

I developed tinnitus many years ago which started to really drag me down; I had it for a good couple of years. Then when I first went to a chiropractor for my back problems, he adjusted my neck and it went instantly. In my case it was definitely neurological. My cervical discs are a bit of a mess and it creeps back occasionally, but an adjustment  normally sorts it. 

I am considering getting some decent earplugs though as my hearing is starting to suffer at gigs, and we’re an acoustic band with cajon, no drums, so not loud at all. Anybody have any suggestions?

Edited by 4000
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@4000 I use these, they work great for me, look pretty cool too. Wish I'd had them a few years ago tbh

https://www.ear-plugs.co.uk/products/isolate-aluminium-ear-plugs

Interesting to hear about your tinnitus, I developed it about 2 years ago and whilst it's not too bad, it does P me off and I'd love to get rid. Did your chiro do anything specifically or was it an accidental bonus of back/neck work (my back is knackered too) 

ISL-MINI-AL1-NAT_LR1000_A_f0c28cfa-c3d2-4638-8c37-c83849d8da9b_1024x1024.jpg

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Thanks for the tip. I do have trouble with ear plugs staying my ears so that could be an issue, but it’s a bit of a “suck it and see” unfortunately, short of getting custom ones made.

In terms of the chiro, no, just a typical “ craaaaaack!” rotational neck adjustment. It wasn’t planned, just a very, very happy by-product. I have several prolapsed discs, lumbar, thoracic and cervical. The downside of the initial neck adjustment was that it affected the nerves in my right arm, which have never been the same since and which intermittently cause me great discomfort and also affect my playing and writing/typing/mouse work etc. 

I only go for chiro now when I’m really suffering because it can be a bit touch and go.

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The ACS PRO17s have changed by life.

A flat response, I can have conversations at a normal level with them in, and I can sing without it feeling strange.

Custom moulded, and only £40 quid(!!!!) via the Musician's hearing scheme. Incredible.

I don't know what the audiologist referred to in the OP is on about, but when I gig with these in there seems to be absolutely nothing that could damage my hearing. I'd need to know more.

Edited by wateroftyne
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Dont care who he is or what his qualifications are, but he is wrong. I have used quality ear plugs for years and they have made a huge difference. Over ear defenders are good for industrial noise but hopeless for gigs where you need to hear the music, but quieter.

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2 minutes ago, mikel said:

Dont care who he is or what his qualifications are, but he is wrong. I have used quality ear plugs for years and they have made a huge difference. Over ear defenders are good for industrial noise but hopeless for gigs where you need to hear the music, but quieter.

I'm thinking...

latest?cb=20170903205918

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4 minutes ago, wateroftyne said:

The ACS PRO17s have changed by life.

A flat response, I can have conversations at a normal level with them in, and I can sing without it feeling strange.

Custom moulded, and only £40 quid(!!!!) via the Musician's hearing scheme. Incredible.

I don't know what the audiologist referred to in the OP is on about, but when I gig with these in there seems to be absolutely nothing that could damage my hearing. I'd need to know more.

Does this scheme apply to semi-pro too? I certainly haven’t earned the bulk of my income from playing. 😉

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1 hour ago, chris_b said:

There probably is sound transferred through the bone (probably lower frequencies rather than higher frequencies) but take an ear plug out mid set and hear the difference. IMO they are definitely reducing the volume getting to the ear drum.

 

Indeed. To say that earplugs don't work is a very unfortunate and misleading statement, and I hope nobody reads it and goes "ah, I'll do without then" 

:facepalm:

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27 minutes ago, DoubleOhStephan said:

@4000 I use these, they work great for me, look pretty cool too. Wish I'd had them a few years ago tbh

https://www.ear-plugs.co.uk/products/isolate-aluminium-ear-plugs

Interesting to hear about your tinnitus, I developed it about 2 years ago and whilst it's not too bad, it does P me off and I'd love to get rid. Did your chiro do anything specifically or was it an accidental bonus of back/neck work (my back is knackered too) 

ISL-MINI-AL1-NAT_LR1000_A_f0c28cfa-c3d2-4638-8c37-c83849d8da9b_1024x1024.jpg

 

I have used those Isolate ones, and I liked them. They attenuate a lot, and the response is not flat, but on stage I could hear what I needed to hear pretty well.

I have gone back to custom moulded ACS -17db, which allow me to feel a bit more 'connected', but I still like the Isolate ones and use them sometimes.

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15 minutes ago, wateroftyne said:

The ACS PRO17s have changed by life.

A flat response, I can have conversations at a normal level with them in, and I can sing without it feeling strange.

Custom moulded, and only £40 quid(!!!!) via the Musician's hearing scheme. Incredible.

I don't know what the audiologist referred to in the OP is on about, but when I gig with these in there seems to be absolutely nothing that could damage my hearing. I'd need to know more.

 

Amazing price!!! I paid about £110-120 for mine!

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14 minutes ago, wateroftyne said:

I'm thinking...

latest?cb=20170903205918

No. A consultant in a well known London hospital. Who is working with the construction industry to help with long term hearing loss of construction workers. Also works with classical orchestra musicians.

Edited by Billy Apple
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@mcnach

Tbh I've only used them in the studio, but our guitarist and keyboardist were in constant competition to be heard, so within 30mins we were at serious volume 🙄😁

@wateroftyne

That scheme is really interesting, I'm not playing atm but when I'm back in the groove I'll take a look at the ACS's 👍🏻

Edited by DoubleOhStephan
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31 minutes ago, Billy Apple said:

No. A consultant in a well known London hospital. Who is working with the construction industry to help with long term hearing loss of construction workers. Also works with classical orchestra musicians.

Right... if he’s right, he needs to shout about it a bit more because I suspect 99.9% of us are being mislead.

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5 minutes ago, wateroftyne said:

Right... if he’s right, he needs to shout about it a bit more because I suspect 99.9% of us are being mislead.

I can't find anything online thay suggests ear plugs don't work, there is guidance about use (making sure they're in correctly etc) but all the reports I can find indicate they're as good as ear defenders. 

@Billy Apple does your man have any peer reviewed studies published we could take a look at (don't expect an answer now, just if you could ask when you next speak)? 

Since developing tinnitus I've become more protective over my hearing so want to make sure I'm fully informed 👍🏻

Edited by DoubleOhStephan
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4 minutes ago, wateroftyne said:

Right... if he’s right, he needs to shout about it a bit more because I suspect 99.9% of us are being mislead.

He was talking about how humans hear and that it’s a misconception that sound is just detected via the ear canal. As far as I’m concerned he is shouting about it, maybe people don’t want to listen?

 

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23 minutes ago, 4000 said:

Have thought about this too, but not sure where to start. Any suggestions?

There is a wealth of info on this very forum about this. Also, some much more  knowledgeable folk who can help. Search IEM and it will pop up.

The only thing I can say is, don’t be intimidated...it’s really quite simple, but oh so worth it. 

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