Hearing Checkups

**surferdude9375** · 10-18-2010, 09:12 PM

For those in the professional audio/musician world, how often do you see a ENT or Audiologist? I'm going next week to see one and have some general checks, cleaning and finally get my molds done for earplugs.

ibanez_dude · 10-19-2010, 09:52 AM

I've been meaning to do it for a while, but I haven't found the time, and I'm kinda scared about the results I'll find out...

**Josey Wales** · 10-19-2010, 09:54 AM

hey man don't worry... i've seen ear docs all my life because i'm deaf in my left ear, from ear tube malpractice. i need to go soon and get a hearing aid actually. but it's not that big a deal... maybe not for me cause i've lived with it forever, but maybe for someone that has full hearing it is a big deal... IDK... but yeah

ethan_hanus · 10-19-2010, 10:05 AM

Never, I get headace's all the time from the loud music, but it's nowhere near the loudness that those guys with subs in their cars listen to. I play in a LOUD band, and even I couldn't take those subs, I had to plug my ears.

I already have hearing problems, but it's more mental than physical, I have directional hearing, so if there's 5 different noises, I can only concentrate on one at a time.

**Gustin** · 10-19-2010, 01:30 PM

I haven't been in a really long time, but I highly recommend everyone goes fairly regularly (probably once a year or so should be fine unless you're having issues). I need to get my left ear checked out, I've been having some issues ever since I mixed a certain nightmare of a show...

If you don't think you need to get checked, think again. Hearing damage is caused by two things. The loudness and the duration. Even if you're not listening to your music loudly, if you're listening for extended periods of time, you're likely causing damage. How little sound it takes to cause damage over a relatively short period of time is more than a little scary.

Ethan, you said you listen to your music loud enough to get headaches. That's wayyy to loud. If you want to continue playing guitar for many more years (particularly if you're wanting to do any recording/mixing work too), you're going to have to turn down. I know it's not as cool or fun, but it will keep your ears in good shape for much longer. And just because someone else plays their music louder than you, doesn't mean yours isn't still too loud.

**thesteve** · 10-19-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustin

Ethan, you said you listen to your music loud enough to get headaches. That's wayyy to loud. If you want to continue playing guitar for many more years (particularly if you're wanting to do any recording/mixing work too), you're going to have to turn down. I know it's not as cool or fun, but it will keep your ears in good shape for much longer. And just because someone else plays their music louder than you, doesn't mean yours isn't still too loud.

Bingo. I decided when I was about 19 or 20 that having my ears ring for three days after going to or playing a show wasn't fun so I bought some decent ear plugs. It's a $15 investment that I can already tell is keeping my hearing intact.

And just to +1 what Gustin said, hearing damage isn't about volume as much as it is about duration. When I do sound at the venue I help run I usually sound check the band with my earplugs out so I can make sure I'm hearing everything the way most of the people in there are hearing it. Then the plugs go in for the rest of their set. Sitting through 100+db (depending on the band) for 3 hours in 30-40 minute sets isn't my idea of a good time.

ethan_hanus · 10-19-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustin

I haven't been in a really long time, but I highly recommend everyone goes fairly regularly (probably once a year or so should be fine unless you're having issues). I need to get my left ear checked out, I've been having some issues ever since I mixed a certain nightmare of a show...

If you don't think you need to get checked, think again. Hearing damage is caused by two things. The loudness and the duration. Even if you're not listening to your music loudly, if you're listening for extended periods of time, you're likely causing damage. How little sound it takes to cause damage over a relatively short period of time is more than a little scary.

Ethan, you said you listen to your music loud enough to get headaches. That's wayyy to loud. If you want to continue playing guitar for many more years (particularly if you're wanting to do any recording/mixing work too), you're going to have to turn down. I know it's not as cool or fun, but it will keep your ears in good shape for much longer. And just because someone else plays their music louder than you, doesn't mean yours isn't still too loud.

Well, the thing is I already do mix and record, and my 50 watt tube amp doesn't do quite.

My stereo usually sits are around 1/4th volume just listening to things, when I record with my amp it sits around 1/2 volume.

**thesteve** · 10-19-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethan_hanus

Well, the thing is I already do mix and record, and my 50 watt tube amp doesn't do quite.

My stereo usually sits are around 1/4th volume just listening to things, when I record with my amp it sits around 1/2 volume.

I think the real take home message a lot of the time isn't necessarily that things need to be quieter, but that things need to be put in place in order to protect yourself from the volume. When I was playing bass in a band I pushed it hard. At the distance I was standing I was getting hit with over 115db from my bass amp. From where I was standing on stage during shows I'd get upwards of 120db from my drummer's cymbals. This is why wearing earplugs became so critical to me.

Sure, record loud, but do things to isolate the sound, whether that be wearing earplugs or room isolation or whatever. If you want to be able to keep recording and making your own adjustments based on good hearing then keeping your hearing range is critical.