From: ken@opusc.csd.scarolina.edu (Ken Sallenger)
Subject: Re: Earplugs?
Reply-To: ken@bigbird.csd.scarolina.edu
Organization: Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 14:14:49 GMT

In <1992Sep13.074555.5037@rose.com> lawrence.lougheed@rose.com (lawrence lougheed) writes:

=>DC>concerned with preserving what's left of my hearing. 

=>I hope it's not too late.  From what I have read and been told, hearing
=>loss caused by excessive volume is permanent.  However, I would

It's NEVER too late to save what you have left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll also second Lawrence here:  it's NEVER TOO SOON to start taking care
of your ears if you play live, or even if you just attend concerts and
night clubs.

Fortunately, I figured this out when I was 17, so I can still hear.
        [a big advantage for a classical musician :-]

=>recommend that you have your ears tested by a medical person
=>(audiologist?) and get prescription for custom made ear plugs.  A mold
=>is made of your ears, and the factory makes one pair of plugs
=>specifically for you.  The plugs will cost around $200, which is a small
=>price to pay it it helps to reduce the exposure to loud sounds, 

Also agreed.

I, too, have read of "musician's" plugs which are supposed to be somewhat
transparent-sounding.  I suspect that they will be bought and fitted
through an audiologist, since they are the experts in taking those molds
and fitting the plugs.

If anyone has experience with these, I'd be most interested.


Recommended for anyone who has ever had _any_ symptoms of tinnitus
(ears ringing):

1)  Run, do not stroll, to an audiologist, and get your ears checked.
Ear/nose/throat doctors are often equipped to do this as well.

2)  Whether or not you spring for the high-end protection (i.e. while
they  are on order), hurry on  over to a good sporting goods outlet
and get some shooter's ear plugs, used by those who fire handguns,
high-powered rifles, and other noisy tools.

Some of these offer very good transparency.  I've been using them 
semi-religiously for over 20 years.  They are fairly comfortable,
thought no doubt the custom-molded ones would be more so.

3)  USE THEM.  Every time.  No exceptions.  Learn to listen critically
while using them.  It takes some practice to  play with plugs, but
you know how to practice, right?  And your ears are worth it.

If you forget your plugs, try a cigarette filter in each ear.
[You can tear the filter off the cigarette unless you like the
visual effect ;-]

I use plugs or a good headset (from the sporting goods store or a
safety equipment dealer---try the Bilsom Vikings) when I run the lawn
mower, power tools, etc.  The motor in my electric drill makes some
really nasty high-frequency sounds.  Likewise power saws, etc.
Note that if you're felling trees with a chain saw, you should have
a buddy watch the tree and slap your butt when it starts to go:
you may not hear that first crack!!!!


Every time something makes your ears ring, you've probably lost a
little bit more of your high-frequency acuity.

			Ken
-- 
       Ken Sallenger / ken@bigbird.csd.scarolina.edu / 803 777-9335
     Computer Services Division / Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia SC
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth