Ear Plugs and Concerts

[Bill Bauer]

I am sure that the noise reduction of those headphones can't be less than 20 dB. We are most likely talking about a difference of less than 10dB. I doubt it can make any difference, seeing how 30dB noise reduction often doesn't make any difference.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

So do I, and inside of airplanes and cars they seem to provide better noise reduction than "Peltor muffs + ear plugs."

So you're trying to tell me you would feel safe at a rock concert or using a power tool with NC headphones? From my understanding of how NC works, I would certainly not suggest anybody rely on NC tech in anything but an airplane.

PS. I want to clarify anybody reading this, Bose NC tech is first rate and on an airplane which they are designed for they are brilliant.

 

[Bill Bauer]

So you're trying to tell me you would feel safe at a rock concert or using a power tool with NC headphones?

I would not feel safe at those places wearing Peltor muffs or ear plugs either. They might not work well for sudden noises. However, a motorcycle produces a steady noise, so I am not sure how effective they would be when one rides a motorcycle.

 

[Tom Cnyc]

Noise cancellation is not the same thing. Noise cancelling is ACTIVE. It PRODUCES SOUND instead of BLOCKING SOUND.

Google Phase Inversion.

Seriously, until you have custom molded earplugs from the audiologist, don't comment on how well they work.

I just saw an amazing concert last night, and I feel the same as I usually do. I dont suggest doing it every day, and I don't suggest raves and other DIY type shows. Union concerts are OSHA regulated and really aren't as loud as you'd think unless its AC/DC, KISS, or My Bloody Valentine - who are well known for playing blisteringly loud.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It PRODUCES SOUND instead of BLOCKING SOUND.

It produces sound that cancels out sound, and as a result no sound reaches your inner ear.

Seriously, until you have custom molded earplugs from the audiologist, don't comment on how well they work.

What is their noise reduction rating?!

 

[Tom Cnyc]

What is their noise reduction rating?!

It depends on the filter. I have 9, 15, 25, and 33 db filters.

It's important to recognize that customs much more accurately block sound and you dont have to play that rating divided by two minus whatever game. I've posted this a million times in here but everyone should really read it when deciding on what type of plugs to buy. https://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/making-the-case-for-custom-12959

Perhaps most importantly is that custom plugs go past the second bend int eh ear canal, which substantially reduces the occlusion effect. In addition to being fitted to you - so they're quite comfortable - your own voice doesn't boom quite the same as it does with one size fits all earplugs.

 

[lucluc]

Slightly off topic, but where do you draw the line with ear plug use?
I find myself sticking my earplugs in during lectures when the lecturer is being slightly too loud, or if a room is too noisy in the library. Would being over-sensitive with ear plug use also be a problem?

 

[Tom Cnyc]

Slightly off topic, but where do you draw the line with ear plug use?
I find myself sticking my earplugs in during lectures when the lecturer is being slightly too loud, or if a room is too noisy in the library. Would being over-sensitive with ear plug use also be a problem?

I love my earplugs. I carry them literally always. I use them whenever my body tells me to, and sometimes just to take the edge off (I work in an open floor plan and wear em here n there even though its nowhere near 85db most the time).

My tinnitus very often fades away. I'm really mostly out of the weeds at this point - it acts up when I'm massively hungover or if I sleep less than 6 hours. Even if it 100% goes away I'll still wear em all the time. It's nice to have a volume knob on life. Even during my healthy ear life, I enjoyed loud music, not loud noise.

My gut intuition tells me wearing them helped me heal as much as I have. It also allowed me to heal mentally as well by allowing me to regain my life. Bars, restaurants, and even concerts lately. These small devices and a tincture of time allow me to live.

 

[lucluc]

I love my earplugs. I carry them literally always. I use them whenever my body tells me to, and sometimes just to take the edge off (I work in an open floor plan and wear em here n there even though its nowhere near 85db most the time).

My tinnitus very often fades away. I'm really mostly out of the weeds at this point - it acts up when I'm massively hungover or if I sleep less than 6 hours. Even if it 100% goes away I'll still wear em all the time. It's nice to have a volume knob on life. Even during my healthy ear life, I enjoyed loud music, not loud noise.

My gut intuition tells me wearing them helped me heal as much as I have. It also allowed me to heal mentally as well by allowing me to regain my life. Bars, restaurants, and even concerts lately. These small devices and a tincture of time allow me to live.

It's good to know that earplug use has been beneficial to you! I think the sense of control helps as much as anything, even if I do get a few odd looks from my friends when i pull them out in the middle of a lecture. God knows why the lecturer thinks it's necessary to shout when they have a microphone on..

 

[Tom Cnyc]

It's good to know that earplug use has been beneficial to you! I think the sense of control helps as much as anything, even if I do get a few odd looks from my friends when i pull them out in the middle of a lecture. God knows why the lecturer thinks it's necessary to shout when they have a microphone on..

all my friends are well aware of my hearing issues and many of them are much more responsible as a result. I was the canary int he coal mine for my crew, if you will.

None of them care that I put plugs in. As to strangers? most assume they're hearing aids, not earplugs. the custom fitted ones have that medical look I suppose.

 

[HCR123]

@Tom Cnyc where'd u get your custom plugs?

 

[Tom Cnyc]

@Tom Cnyc where'd u get your custom plugs?

I got fitted at an audiologist. You can do it yourself with a pack off amazon, but DONT. Go to the doctor.

Mine are made by Westone, the filters are etymotic research. They take 2 weeks to arrive. I paid $200 USD for the mold and 2 levels of attenuation. Additional levels of attentuation are $70 per pair for the filters. I have all 4, but reasonably only use 3 - 15, 25, 33db. 15 is good for performing, otherwise I use the heavier ones b/c it matters less.

I went to a concert last Friday, and I'll be performing at one in a month. THEY WORK VERY WELL. I've had zero increases since I started wearing them at shows. In fact, my tinnitus has only gotten better. Furthermore, since I've realized I can still live life, my tinnitus related distress has gone to almost zero b/c I don't feel limited.

I had extremely severe tinnitus. I'm mostly fine now after 18 months of protecting my ears and getting back to life. I still avoid headphones.

 

[HCR123]

Thank you so much @Tom Cnyc. I really want to be able to go back to the movies and maybe a football or fútbol match someday. Not much that I want out of life that has such high decibels. Thanks again!

 

[Tom Cnyc]

I was terrified the first time I went out, but it turned out fine. Weddings, concerts, band practice, and hockey games have all been fine.

In the beginning I had H and reactive tinnitus. I'd not suggest pushing through that. once that calmed down ive slowly started living life again.

Sadly I missed a few shows that would have meant a lot to me, particularly Paul Simon farewell tour at forest hills (his childhood town). For most of us this isn't a life sentence though. I have 4 other friends in real life that have T and all 5 of us still engage in live music. Most of them had it really bad at one point and it faded a lot.

You will too.

 

[freakerdude]

I got fitted at an audiologist. You can do it yourself with a pack off amazon, but DONT. Go to the doctor.

Mine are made by Westone, the filters are etymotic research. They take 2 weeks to arrive. I paid $200 USD for the mold and 2 levels of attenuation. Additional levels of attentuation are $70 per pair for the filters. I have all 4, but reasonably only use 3 - 15, 25, 33db. 15 is good for performing, otherwise I use the heavier ones b/c it matters less.

Newbie here and I've been going to a lot of concerts since 1977. I would say on average I see at least 8 to 10 per year. My T started about 2 to 3 years ago and I don't plan on going to fewer concerts as of now. For the last 3 to 5 concerts, I have been taking foam plugs which seem to help quite a bit. But the concert yesterday I ended up pulling the foam out of my ear canal because everything on the high end like guitar solos was too muffled. I read your link about the custom plugs and that is a lot of money to spend but I'm sure the hearing protection is worth it. So I'm kind of in a rut here trying to figure out what are some good ear plugs that are between foam and custom I guess. Is there any such thing? Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom Cnyc]

Newbie here and I've been going to a lot of concerts since 1977. I would say on average I see at least 8 to 10 per year. My T started about 2 to 3 years ago and I don't plan on going to fewer concerts as of now. For the last 3 to 5 concerts, I have been taking foam plugs which seem to help quite a bit. But the concert yesterday I ended up pulling the foam out of my ear canal because everything on the high end like guitar solos was too muffled. I read your link about the custom plugs and that is a lot of money to spend but I'm sure the hearing protection is worth it. So I'm kind of in a rut here trying to figure out what are some good ear plugs that are between foam and custom I guess. Is there any such thing? Thanks in advance.

Go to guitar center. They have filtered plugs one size fits all. $40 or so.

 

[freakerdude]

Go to guitar center. They have filtered plugs one size fits all. $40 or so.

Thank you Tom! If I feel a need to increase my filtering with proper fitting, then I might do the custom made route. I see 10 and 20db reducing ones online with interchangeable filters. Do you recommend a higher filtering? Sometimes when I see bands in local clubs I might be sitting in the front row right in front of the speaker or I might be in the back and vice versa for concert as well. I'm just wondering what your experience is as a concert or live music patron. I see you use less for performing.

 

[Sam Bridge]

@Tom Cnyc how severe was the t?