Wearing Earplugs to Rock and Metal Gigs

Joe_Dull wrote: »

Hear hear!

WHAT?!

Joe_Dull wrote: »

Nope, but I'd highly recommend these puppies. They're fairly cheap, lower the volume enough to avoid tinnitus and the best part is they're all but invisible.

(I was getting a lot of stick at gigs having ER-20s poking out of my head like antennae :pac:)

does that site really do free shipping Joe ?

Joe_Dull wrote: »

Hmm... no, shipping wasn't free now that I think about it. Still though, the lot came to around €15 including a spare third earplug. Not a bad deal I'd say?

How long does delivery take?
Also, how far into the ear canal to they push in to get the best use out of? I've a bit of a father jack situation at the moment with my earwax and docs wont syringe it out yet so dont want risk pushing it in with earplugs.

Agreed. Definitely makes the gig sound better..

No offense to anyone on here but you're a fool if you don't wear earplugs to gigs. Unless you don't mind going deaf of course. But going deaf is one thing. Getting tinnitus in even one ear means you have a ringing noise (sometimes permanent, I know 3 people with it who are under 25) in your ear that can drive you insane.

I think it's kind of a disgrace that venues here don't at least hand out cheap foam earplugs at the door. Like someone said at the start of this page, the majority of people on the continent wear them. You can get a good quality pair for 40 quid in shops, like Music Maker in town. And as has also been mentioned, earplugs usually improve the sound of the band as it cuts out any superfluous racket.

Heading to blink 182 tomorrow night and have a pair of the HMV er20s that i havent used yet.
Whenever i've used earplugs at gigs before they've been the foam ones that you just shove in and let expand in your ear. But these ones obviously arent inserted like that.

I put them in there a second ago but not sure if i have them in right. Anyone got any advice?

They look near exactly like these:

bedlam wrote: »

Instructions on how to use them here

To ease insertion, moisten the plug

Wore standard earplugs that I got from a music shop to Machine Head 2 weeks ago. Sound was perfect and my ears are eternally grateful as we were up the front right in front of the wall of speakers. Definitely going to bring earplugs to every Olympia gig from now on

Ever since I went to a Dragonforce gig (cringe) a few years ago I have started wearing them. I have developed mild tinnitus so I'd rather be safe than sorry

Joe_Dull wrote: »

Just back from Metaltown in Gothenburg this weekend. Roughly 60% of the crowd had ear protection of some kind in, and there were attendants all over the place selling plugs. It was refreshing to see so many people treating their hearing with respect (versus the tits at Irish gigs who give you grief for doing so).

In fairness I only started doing it after a certain Machine Head gig that was very disrespectful to my hearing.

I don't find all bands/gigs require them.

Joe_Dull wrote: »

True. There were a few bands who got their levels right and plugs weren't required (In Flames and Trivium, for example).

Yeah Kiss was another good example of how it should be done.

I wonder if that applies as much of you are sat all the way at the back.
Or if its an open air gig.

Started wearing earplugs to pretty much everything since getting the ****e scared out of me after Conan in Fred's a few years ago (hearing was ****ed for a good week or so).

Wouldn't ever go out without my earplugs now tbh, they make a massive difference.

Do you just wanna get him foam ones, or are you planning on bringing him to more gigs in the future?

The foam ones are cheap and disposable, and you should be able to get them in any chemist's. They won't sound the greatest, but they'll do the job and protect his ears at least some bit.

If ye're going to gigs regularly and care about having good sound quality, I'd really recommend getting a set of musicians earplugs, something along the lines of these http://promusica.ie/vater-musicians-earplugs.html

They're reusable (just keep them clean), more expensive than foam ones, but the difference in sound quality is incredible. I have that particular set, wear them to every gig since I bought them and honestly it was the best 20-ish quid I've ever spent. You should be able to get them in any music shop (one that sells musical instruments, rather than a record shop).

Enjoy, however you decide!

Oh in that case it's well worth it. The hats and crash play havoc with your ears !

I use them for rehearsals and stuff myself as well, and it makes a big difference.

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I'm looking into bringin my 11 year old to Deathcrusher

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

He plays drums

You sound like an awesome dad

I'd definitely recommend getting earplugs. Particularly for young kids/teens.

I really feel like I've f*cked my own hearing up from gigs over the years. There's a few gigs where I've noticed it being particularly bad after, but over the years I feel like damage does get done.

Metallica in the RDS in 2004 was the start for me I think. I remember pain in my right ear (was near the right side of the stage) and I honestly don't think that ear has ever been the same since.