Hearing Protectors

[jorge]

This is an important topic, especially for percussionists, and comes up regularly.
Tinnitus and hearing loss can both be caused by loud percussive sounds and can both become permanent conditions. They are cumulative and generally get worse with months or years of repeated exposure to loud sounds. Available treatments are not satisfactory, and generally do not return you to your previous state with no hearing loss or tinnitus. At first, both conditions are temporary and generally go away hours after the loud noise. With repeated exposure to loud sounds, they last longer and longer and then become permanent. So prevention is the key, which generally involves avoiding loud sounds (get the others in your group to play softer) or using hearing protectors.

Some of this, and some reasons we should all consider using hearing protection in appropriate settings, have already been discussed in the Tinnitus thread.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4357&hilit=tinnitus

The question was raised today about soft foam vs custom molded vs commercial flat response hearing protectors (eg, Etymotic ER-20) for playing music. The ideal hearing protector for playing music would cut all frequencies equally, ie would be "flat" across the audible spectrum. Hearos and other foam earplugs effectively reduce volume, but cut the high frequencies relatively much more than the low frequencies. This makes the music sound muffled and distorted. If you are just worried about hanging out in a club with "DJ Sordo", the foam earplugs work fine. But for playing music when you need to be in key and in time with the other musicians, there are much better options. All available hearing protectors greatly reduce frequencies above 8,000 Hz, but some specially designed hearing protectors are relatively "flat" in their loudness reduction at frequencies below that. Many of the high pitched percussive sounds we need to cue our timing, such as bell, kata, timbale cascara, bongo martillo, guiro, claves, or maracas fall in the 1,000 to 8,000 Hz range. Both foam and specially designed hearing protectors reduce sounds about 20 dB at all frequencies below 1,000 Hz, but foam earplugs reduce the important high frequency sounds much more than the lower frequencies. For example, at 4,000 Hz, the loudness is still reduced about 20 dB with the ER-20s but about 33 dB with the foam ear plugs. A 13 dB cut in loudness is perceived as reducing loudness by more than half. That 13 dB additional cut in the high frequencies relative to the lower frequencies makes the high pitched percussive instruments much harder to hear over the other instruments, the vocals, and all the reflected sounds onstage. So it is easier to play with other instruments using the ER-20s than with the foam earplugs.

Here is a graph from the Etymotic Research website showing the difference between the ER-20s and foam earplugs.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20-ts.aspx

By the way, I have no connection with Etymotic Research and no interest in pushing the ER-20 hearing protectors specifically. I am an end user, but I have not found any other brand of hearing protector that works as well for playing music. Also, they have a very informative website which is good for illustration.

The custom molded hearing protectors that use ER-9 or ER-15 inserts (also made by Etymotic Research) do work better than the ER-20s in my experience. I usually do best with the ER-9 that reduces the loudness by about 9 dB, 20 dB is not necessary in most clubs or rumbas. Unfortunately, the molding process and custom fitting increase the cost from about $12 for the ER-20s to $200-$300 for the custom molded hearing protectors. But new ears are priceless (and unavailable with current medical technology). For most loud clubs and bands, and musicians with normal hearing, the ER-20s work well enough.

Here is a graph of the difference between the ER-9, ER-15, and ER-25 inserts for the custom molded hearing protectors. The ER-15 is the flattest response, much flatter than the ER-20.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme-ts.aspx

[windhorse]

If I may, let's break down the use of ear plugs into three essential parts.
1. You have to decide which one you're going to use, and how it will be used. Any amount of coverage is good, but how much do your particular ears need? This will require some experimentation. For me, it was about a year of trying different things. I eventually came upon the use of the ER-20s with the stupid plastic rod holders cut-off. If I need more coverage, I just push them into the ear a bit more. When it's quiet and others are talking to me, I pull them out a bit. Those of you who might wonder, "don't you need that rod to control the plugs?" The answer is, "no you don't". And yes, cutting it off does let it leak some in some sound. So, you can always get the 25s to up the protection.

2. You have to practice with them A LOT! Like anything, it takes practice. If you just save them for gigs,, you'll be in trouble because you won't hear that clue you need for the break or the part of coro where you sing.. They do cut out sound, and this does change your perception of the universe! It doesn't matter how "good" they are,, you will lose some precision that you've been used to living with all those years you've been alive, so how do you become used to this muffling of your precious sound? Wear them a lot! Make them a habit!

3. You have to have them with you!! Just owning them isn't enough. I've been in several situations where others say, "I wish I had my earplugs with me!", and they will run to the bathroom to stick in some rolled up toilet paper. Or they'll just tough it out. Tinnitus wins that battle because the opposition didn't show up! If you're like me, and you have keys with you at all times, then use the keychain holder that comes with the Etymotic Research brand.. And if it's another brand, figure out a method that ties you earplugs to you! I use mine for things like going to a concert.. OMG! I went to one a few nights ago that was just ridiculously loud!

[buckoh]

Thanks Jorge and everyone else. Lots of valuable info has been offered. Buck

[jorge]

I have the custom molded ER 15's. My instinct is that they could cut a little more db in loud settings, especially when jammin with he african's!!! However, for the price of over $100 I am hesitant to get another pair of the 25's in the event that they cut too much...The inexpensive "baby blue" 20's look like the solution.

Music has to be really loud to still be too loud with the ER15s, but that is possible. Do your ears ring or do you have temporary decreased hearing after you leave the jam or the gig? If so, you are correct and the ER15s or their fit are not adequate. Other possible solutions are:
1) Make sure the seal between the molded earplug and your ear canal is complete by moving the earplug around gently and listening. If the earplug is properly molded to your ear canal, it should seal completely and easily and you will hear when there is a sound leak as you move the earplug around. Different people have very different shaped ear canals, which is why some people greatly prefer the custom molded earpieces and some do fine with the generics.
2) Talk with the others you are playing with and reason with them that they don't need to play so loud. You will probably find an ally in the singers, because no one likes to have to sing over super loud drums.
3) Try the ER20s, which cost about $12. These are in between the ER15 and ER25 in strength, which are only available for the custom earpieces. There is only one strength of loudness reduction available in the generic hearing protectors. The "Baby Blue" generic model is the same strength as the regular generic ER20, but made for people with smaller ear canals. If fit or comfort are an issue, try the Baby Blue model, which costs about $12 also.
4) You can change the little round "buttons" that fit into the custom molded earpiece. These little plastic discs are about a quarter inch in diameter and control the strength of loudness reduction. For the custom molded earpieces, 3 strengths are available, the ER9, ER15, and ER25. Unfortunately, these things are ridiculously expensive, around $70 for a pair without the custom molded earpiece. Before you invest in the ER25s, try the generic ER20s (regular size or Baby Blue small size) or ask the audiologist to switch out your ER15s for ER25s to try them out. They may be willing to loan you the ER25 discs to try.

I eventually came upon the use of the ER-20s with the stupid plastic rod holders cut-off. If I need more coverage, I just push them into the ear a bit more... And yes, cutting it off does let it leak some in some sound. So, you can always get the 25s to up the protection.

I recommend against this. The sound leak completely changes the flatness of the frequency response and makes the degree of loudness reduction unpredictable and maybe inadequate for some frequencies. Leave them as they were designed, it actually took years of research to get the frequency response as flat as it is. Don't push them, or anything, into your ear canals too hard, you can injure the ear canal. Especially, don't push them in farther than usual if the rods have been cut off, you may have trouble getting them out. Get the clear or beige colors if you want to make them less visible. Too bad they don't make brown or black to better match darker skin tones. Or get the red ones and make a fashion statement wherever you party! A lot of people who need to start using these don't know anything about them and you may get lots of questions when they see yours.

2. You have to practice with them A LOT! Like anything, it takes practice.

3. You have to have them with you!!

Good points, very true.

[alabubba]

Thanks for this post and discussion, it moved me to action and I have ordered a pair of ER 20s.

[Dicemanb]

I have been following this post with interest as I went for a pair of custom fitted ER15 on a special deal, after using ER20s for some time, which I found isolated me too much and I ended up pulling them a little out of my ears to hear better, which kind of defeated the purpose and my ears still rang after gigs.
The difference between custom fitted 15s and off the shelf 20s is worth the extra bucks and what price has your hearing?
As Windhorse says they take some getting used to, but I dont do gigs without them now and my hearing is beginning to improve.
Suave

[pavloconga]

My ears these days are pretty sensitive (as well as tinnitus prone) after sustaining inner ear damage from the drugs used to treat malaria when I was in West Africa in 2003 (the drugs were life saving but are also known to be toxic to the inner ear).
I now use molded ER10s in most gig situations depending on the loudness factor on stage. If it's really loud I'll sometimes use foam earplugs instead. Last tuesday night I went to a drum clinic demo by a guy called Michael Shack from Belgium. Good show, but I happened to be sitting right in front of the speakers (including a big sub woofer) that was so loud it made me feel dizzy even with ear plugs fitted.
I've become used to using them and unless it's an acoustic gig I always use them.

[jorge]

Diceman, the molded earpieces usually have an additional advantage besides comfort. Most generic one size fits all hearing protectors do not go deep into the ear. The result of this is often a hollow sound of your own voice when you speak or sing. This can be a big problem for singers with in-ear monitors or hearing protectors. The custom molded earpieces that go deeper into the ear usually resolve this problem.

Pavloconga, you are right that other factors can affect your hearing and make your ears more susceptible to further hearing loss. Antibiotics that are toxic to the ears are an example. So for you, it is particularly important to avoid loud sounds. Even acoustic gigs may have sounds that are too loud. In particular, high pitched percussive sounds like claves, cymbals, or even loud slaps on congas or bongos can be loud enough to damage your hearing. If your tinnitus is louder after the gig or your hearing is noticeably worse for a few hours or more, the sounds were too loud for your particular ears.

By the way, I am not familiar with the ER10 hearing protectors. Etymotic Research makes ER9, ER15, ER20, and ER25 hearing protectors and a research microphone called the ER10 but I haven't seen hearing protectors called ER10. Who makes them?

Also, low pitched sounds seem to be less damaging to the ears than high pitched sounds. The subwoofer playing loud bass may make you feel strange sensations or make your pants flap in the breeze, but if it makes you feel dizzy, it is way too loud and you should move to a different seat further away. What kind of Belgian drumming was that that had to be amplified to be so extremely loud? Even low pitched sounds, when they are that loud, can do damage. Most commonly, however, it is loud high pitched percussive sounds that damage your hearing. Sustained loud sounds like horns or electric guitar can also do damage. Symphony orchestra musicians can be exposed to 110 dB or more in the orchestra pit and violinists often preferentially lose hearing in their left ears, which are closer to the violin.

[roberthelpus]

Glad to see this as a reminder. I hit the buy now button on the ER site.

The 20's are in no way perfect but are acceptable as compared to industrial type plugs, not being able to afford custom plugs at this point.

In a pinch, cigarette filters are a quick expedient for things like attending a loud show. Which brings up the point that whatever fantastic earplugs you have sitting at home aren't doing you any good.I've lost a number of ER20s over the years because their little case just doesn't cut it. The hole for the key chain or ring would always tear and I'd lose the case and plugs. I've seen a little metal case that goes on a key ring in drug stores that is made for carrying small doses of medicine that looks very sturdy, and I'm going to try that. It's a metal cylinder with a screw on top.

As an aside: I now use hearing protection whenever I use power tools. When I started doing this while cutting the grass that it makes you just a little less tired when you are finished. Noise can tire you out.

[pavloconga]

By the way, I am not familiar with the ER10 hearing protectors. Etymotic Research makes ER9, ER15, ER20, and ER25 hearing protectors and a research microphone called the ER10 but I haven't seen hearing protectors called ER10. Who makes them?

What kind of Belgian drumming was that that had to be amplified to be so extremely loud? Even low pitched sounds, when they are that loud, can do damage. Most commonly, however, it is loud high pitched percussive sounds that damage your hearing. Sustained loud sounds like horns or electric guitar can also do damage. Symphony orchestra musicians can be exposed to 110 dB or more in the orchestra pit and violinists often preferentially lose hearing in their left ears, which are closer to the violin.

Hi jorge,
thanks for your comment. They may well have been called ER9, it was a few years ago that I bought them and have lost the original spec sheet for them.
I'm pretty careful with my ears these days and always have a good sense of when things are too loud even in acoustic mode.

The guy I mentioned was demonstrating some of Roland's electronic drums, he seemed to be telling the sound guy to keep turning up the PA! It was a jam packed full house and I could barely move to get out so had an ear plug shoved in as well as my finger over my ear. I think the plugs (and my finger) did a good job and I suffered no after effects from it.
ciao
pavlo

[Dicemanb]

Thats the original digital hearing protection........a finger in each ear