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--- In , Zone Fighter
<zonefighter@g...> wrote:
> really impatient with my kids playing loudly and have had trouble
> understanding TV and the answering machine. It is pretty scary. I
> think it may be time to re-investigate ear plugs.
>
It's very scary. I'm not trying to sound like a jackass, but it's
good that it scared you, because hopefully you'll wear the plugs
now. Someone mentioned tissue as plugs, this is effective for low
volumes (volumes that you can hear yourself talking over), but
tissue doesn't attenuate the levels enough.
Take it from someone who is suffering to this day because of
playing almost daily with the amp cranked, $3 is worth a set of
earplugs. Go for foam, avoid the reusable plastic plugs with fins
on them. Foam usually has better attenuation. They're harder to use
but it's worth it. I went the extra mile and also purchased a
decibel meter from Radio Shack for about $30 to measure the levels
occasionally during some practices.
When you go to the drugstore look for the foam earplugs with the
highest dB (decibel) rating. Though the higer dB rating is _NOT_ an
indicator that the plug is better, it usually is better.
If your band has a loud bottom end, then you may want to invest in
custom earplugs, or custom earplugs with built in monitors. (Store
bought plugs don't have a high attenuation rate in the bottom and
high ends). These are nice because you can adjust them to the level
you're comfortable with, and at the same time block most harmfull
noise. You can't block all harmfull noise, as noise also travels
through your skull, nose, mouth etc. but as long as you're not
kneeling down infront of a cranked amp you should be OK.
Lastly, you're not uncool or whatever for wearing plugs...
if you don't wear them when you need them, that's not cool...
you are only hurting yourself!
Wear the plugs & rock on!
