So, with jackhammer, heavy machinery, diamond saws, listening to loud music, playing loud music, using headphones at eye ball bleeding levels everything is supposed to be okay?

That constant ringing may go away someday, maybe...

In answer to your question though, I think I may be afraid to know the outcome of a test like that, as in, what I don't know, I don't worry about.

Six or seven years ago at a Los Straits show, right during the crescendo to Telstar, which was probably one of the last songs of the night, my left ear noticeably popped. It now rings constantly. It is disconcerting and it has gotten worse over the years. I wear ear plugs ever since that, but wow I wish I was that night.

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I can't hear when there is any other noise at the same time.
I've been tested and have some definite hearing loss.
I blame drum monitors. I've tried to avoid them throughout the years, but didn't back when I was younger and playing in various "louder" bands.

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I'm 42 right now, and I have mild tinnitus (persistent ringing ears) in both ears and hearing loss in my right ear.

Back in the olden days of drinking, punk rock and long nights, I would wear one "shooter's style" baffled earplug in the left ear, and nothing in the right ear. My right ear was my stage monitor/drummer ear, the left one was the one I was saving for a rainy day. Well, my hypothesis/experiment proved true: I now have one decent ear, and one that's totally messed up. In ambient noise situations, I have a hard time hearing certain frequencies, such as child and female voices on my right side. Also, when mixing music, I must be careful not to overemphasize certain frequencies in the right channel. Soon, I may need to get a hearing aid in the right ear.

During the late 1980s until the mid 1990s, I did a lot of frequent 4-track/ headphone/ late-night recording. The higher volume levels underneath headphones exacerbated the damage to my hearing. I believe that headphones are the main cause of hearing loss/tinnitus in music people.
I still use headphones occasionally, but at much reduced volume than previously: I prefer monitor speakers for most mixing. When mixing live sound, I use headphones to help keep the sound OUT! I do not use iPod style earbuds at all, I believe they do too much damage.

Ruhar, that's spot on in this thread! Im curious about those $20 plugs Taylor mentions (btw, that's very cool of your folks and a reminder for everyone on this list with kids I guess) ... when I was in the store the employee told me they had specia musicians earplugs, which would cost over 100 euros a piece - I just cant afford that right now, but I was planning on getting those anyway as soon as I had the money. 20 sounds better though

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The plugs I use are very similar to (maybe even the same as) the ones surfgitar put up. I got mine at www.hearnet.org, though during a recent visit to the site I couldn't tell if they still had those ones in particular.

-Taylor

drummer-Lava Rats

The last time I had them checked, they were fine if not above average.

but that was when I was 22 years old.

now at 35, they are getting bad.
the Frequencies and how quiet I can hear seems to be ok,
but I'm not positive.

But I have had the persistant ringing for over a year now.
I really need to dig out my shooting earplugs sonics.
they work good, just look silly.

But its better than holding up a animal horn to my ear and saying "huh?"
soon.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

A couple of things. Tinnitus can be hereditary. If you have ringing in your ears (like I do) ask your parents, siblings, etc., if they do as well. It won't change anything, but it may reveal some history. Turns out it runs in my family, but I only found that out after I woke up one day with it.

Second, mine will go away but is easily triggered by loud noise, or if I flick my ear (i.e. pulling off a t-shirt) so look to minimize trigger points. I wear protective plugs when mowing the lawn, or working with power tools etc. Look for different ear plugs for different applications and use them when appropriate.

My doctor attributes my hearing loss/ringing to years of loud noise exposure - not just loud music. Although in my opinion it's the loud music that's been one constant factor throughout the years. Wear earplugs when needed!

CUTBACK

I use the Hearos brand also.

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Went to see Dick Dale a few years ago in Atlanta. Stood next the the stage with the wife and WoodyJ. Wore some real good earplugs but still had trouble hearing for 4 days afterwards. Luckily, the tests said I was okay but I wear much better earplugs now. BTW, Dick Dale was awesome!!!

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