Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    The GUITAR notesfile has a descussion on this topic.  That may be where
    you read it.
    Earplugs can't be stressed enough.  I have permanent hearing damage
    from my days playing in bands and not using plugs.
    
    Chris D.

    
    	Yup, that's it, I even had a marker for it.  Note #2111.
    
    	- Jim

    
    I just started wearing 'em.

Good idea Pete.  I think the impulse noise from a drum is as bad or worse than
constant tones.

I hate 'em but I have to wear them if I want to go to shows now.  My ears can
ring for days if I don't.  I found that CVS (drugstore) sells some putty
ones that are not too uncomfortable and are basically disposable.  They are
about $2-3 for 3 sets.  They come in a case and you can put them into your
pocket.

Are the sonic IIs the hunting/impulse noise reducing ones?  Do they have rings
that go around the base ie

	 /\
	/  \
	-  -	Bad drawing-sorry
	/  \
	-  -
	 ||
	----
	|  |

I have a pair of those, but they are uncomfortable...

Ted Nugent has an ear that he uses to hold his sunglasses on with.  Pete
Townshend is another obviously deaf musician...

    
    
    My ears very rarely ring after a show... (uhoh.. is that a bad sign?!)
    
    
    I could never wear them while playing, but at a show I can.. that
    does'nt bother me...
    
    
    JW-

    
    	RE: .4
    
    	That drawing looks like the Sonic II's.  Although they look somewhat
    	like a screw I don't find them uncomfortable.  Maybe I'm usually too
    	d/n-umb to notice though.  They're also easy to place in.  
    
    	As for hunting/impulse I'll have to re-read the supplied user manual!
    
    	They run about $10.00.  I can't see using the disposabal type, you
    	know with all the "green" talk these days.
    
    	- Jim

    I've worn earplugs at shows and band rehearsals for the last couple of
    years and have found that my hearing has improved a little.  I got
    tired of the ringing in my ears a couple of times a week and knew it
    was damaging my hearing.  Todays concerts are often painfully loud and
    if I don't take the plugs I'll often be forced to use toilet paper or
    leave.
    
    I can't wear the Sonic II type because my ear canals are the wrong
    shape and they just won't go/stay in.  I've also heard from a couple of
    reputable sources that they are *not* very effective.  Something about
    the metal diaphrams in them that are supposed to let you hear normally
    when the sound level is reduced not responding fast enough to catch
    transients and sticking so that they don't work at all (even when new).
    Jim's note about still getting ringing in his ears verifies this.
    
    I use the foam ones and have not had any ringing in my ears after
    shows, however I don't like to use the full plugs unless the show is
    outrageously loud.  I usually tear them in half and use half in each
    ear.  This blocks enough of the sound so that it doesn't hurt me (from
    what I can feel, and no ringing afterward) and it doesn't alter the
    sound as much.
    
    Regarding the change in the sound, yes, it definately does effect it,
    but as far as I can tell all forms of ear protection will do this. 
    FWIW you do get used to the changed in sound after awhile.  It has
    never affected my ability to enjoy a concert.
    
    Tony Purmel (a former noter) sent me information about a place that
    makes "musicians ear protection" which is reusable and custom fitted
    to your ear.  The company claims that it does not color the sound you
    hear, just reduces the volume.  They were only available in limited
    places and you had to go there for the custom fitting.  I haven't
    looked into these further, but if anyone's interested, I think I still
    have Tony's mail with the company's address.
    
    Greg
        

The CVS plugs can be used until you feel like tossing them out.  I have re-used
them 4-5 times.  They mold to your ear canal and look like putty.

Tim

    
    
    	I started using the foam plugs a few months ago.  Like Greg, I 
    cut them in half.  They fit better and I've doubled my supply! 8^)
    It feels good to take them out after a show and not have to deal with
    the loud ringing.  Unfortunately, I do have slight scarring on my
    eardrums already. 
                                    
    	I've noticed a lot more people wearing them in clubs these days
    so people are becoming a bit more aware, thankfully.
    
    	BTW, Koss, the company giving out free plugs at shows, has only
    chosen a few shows to distribute the plugs.  They won't be supplying
    them for an entire tour.
    
	Oh yeah, beware of stage divers and folks be tossed around at shows.  
    When they're heading for the floor they have a tendency to grab at
    whatever... even ears. 8^)
        
    
    Paul

    I wish I could wear earplugs...
    
    I can't because when I put them in and sing backups, all I can hear
    is my voice (a scary thought, trust me).  As long as I keep my mouth
    shut I'm okay...
    
    Hey, put ear plugs in and eat pretzels !  It's a riot !!  :)
    
    jc (with tinitus)

    
    
    	RE:-1
    
    
    	Exact same reason why I can't wear'em either!

    
    I can't wear them on stage. It's har enough hearing evewrything as it
    is sometimes.

    
    
     I want to stress to all of you to PLEASE wear some kind of hearing
    protection. I suffer from Tinnitus and Hyper-acusis from many years
    of drumming and loud music. If I had known then how bad this affliction
    could be I would have done anything to protect myself. 
     If you want to protect yourself to the max, contact an Audiologist at
    any Ear, Nose and Throat Dr. and have some custom molded for YOUR ears.
    It will probably run you 25 to 30 $. They will last forever if you take
    care of them.
                    mike
    

    I started wearing them at practice about 6 months ago. I got really
    tired of saying...huh..huh...what did you say. Also, the ringing would
    last for days. I dont wear them at shows though. I agree with Pete that
    its tough enough to hear everything that is going on sometimes on
    stage. Its tough when you first start wearing plugs, but you get 
    accustomed to it.
    
    Bob

    
    I made the mistake of ruining my ears not only with drums (I never
    noticed a problem) but I absolutely killed them with my car audio
    system.  It now feels like my ears are plogged all the time (high end
    loss?)  I wear plugs now with loud audio systems, but maybe I should
    consider them for band practice though we really aren't that loud...
    Never had a problem hearing the band while wearing them in the past
    though.
    
    

	RE: .7, etc.

	I'm convinced that the Sonic II at least in my case leave me with
	more of a ringing than I ever got before.  For years I didn't use
	plugs yet seldom had any ringing at all.  Now it's much worse but
	I'm sure there's other factors involved so your mileage may vary.

	As I stated earlier they're fine during the show, they don't appear
	to limit certain frequencies as I assume the foam type must especially
	if not cut in half.  I think before I toss them in the trash I'm going
	to try blocking the pin hole opening in them and see how that is. I
	think that might cut out too much of the sound though.  I don't know.

	Greg, I had heard from Tony Purmal about some company that makes
	a plug designed for the shape of your ear canal.  I misplaced the
	address but anyhow the price was a bit too steep for me, $130.00
	range.

	- Jim

    Mike Ferris has some custom molded earplugs that he told me worked well
    for him.  Maybe he'll tell us about where he got 'em and the cost.
    
    The foam ones do limit the frequency response worse in certain ranges
    then others, but you get used to 'em after awhile.  They're cheap, easy
    to find, and effective.  That's what I use.
    
    Greg

    
     Gregs' right. I do have some custom molded plugs that work real well.
    I do have some problems and have tried alot of plugs. I found out a few
    months ago when I had mine made that not only can they now mold solid
    plugs for max db protection (like the ones I got), but they can now
    mold into the solid plugs, the same type of sound valves that are in
    those Sonic plugs. The valves also come in various frequency cut off
    levels, depending on the use that you intend. Of coarse max protection
    = no valves. But, they can work great if no damage has yet to be done
    and you want to keep it that way. The reason mine are solid is because
    I can't afford any more hearing damage.
     I had mine done at the Dr's office by the Audiologist who makes the
    ear impressions and then sends them to the lab to be made. Takes about
    a week to get them. And you can have them molded in any color from
    clear to neon colors. The cost varied from the type of plugs ordered. I
    think the range was from $30 to about $75 for the most expensive. Well
    worth the money. the lab keeps the impressions so if you loose the
    plugs they can be remade with little problem.
                                                      mike