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I tried posting this under an old "Ear Plugs" thread, but the discussion was going sideways. I'll try again with a fresh thread.

I'm a weekend warrior, pushing 65 years, playing in a couple of community concert bands. As a result of hearing loss and tinnitus, I've started to wear custom ear plugs while playing with the bands.
When talking to some older member of the bands, I've found that many have hearing loss and also suffer from tinnitus. On the other hand, younger members do not seem to be very aware or concerned about the possibility of hearing loss caused by big, noisy concert bands.
This has made me wonder if any community bands discuss hearing protection with their members or if they provide their members with foam ear plugs (free or low cost) as basic hearing protection.
I'd be interested in your community band experiences regarding the topic of hearing protection.
In the meantime...
Play Safe!
Wear Protection!

Keith, Toronto.

I keep some in my wallet at all times (worn whenever needed); I used to get an intense hearing test as part of my job every year, and they kept my scores intact.

Hello!

I have never run into this in any of the community bands I have performed with (I really wish they did since I always end up a foot away from the snare). However, in college marching band, they were required to supply us with ear plugs.

Also, have you ever heard of the etymotic plugs? they have tubes coming out of them that truly just dampen the sound rather than altering the sound. To add, you can actually hear your tone rather than the sound of the buzz, haha.

I bet a policy on ear plugs comes with time.

Hearing protection is a must, whatever the ensemble. My left ear always has protection, even when practicing at home, mowing the lawn, or going to the movies. I have custom made plugs from Westone. Yes, I would rather not have an earplug while playing, but the long term effect isn't worth it. Sometimes you never know where you may end up sitting in an ensemble. It's better to have them than not. Invest in something that's custom, fit specifically to your ears and write it off your taxes. We don't seem to hesitate in buying the next great mouthpiece or instrument, but we become frugal when having to spend a couple hundred dollars to protect the long term health of our hearing.

Ted Cox
Principal Tuba
Oklahoma City Philharmonic

Being in the back of the band, I have had little need for hearing protection. When I played with the french horns, the trumpets were right behind me. They are very loud and almost everyone was wearing ear plugs. The option of choice is the foam ear plugs made by EAR. I think 3M owns them now. You can get them at a hardware store. I have several trap shooting friends who have had custom molded ear protectors made. They fit in the ear. I think you can get those from a hearing aid fitter. They are found in your local yellow pages. Both options will allow you to hear spoken instructions well enough while protecting your hearing.

Tortuba wrote:..... younger members do not seem to be very aware or concerned about the possibility of hearing loss caused by big, noisy concert bands.....

I suppose all folks our age (I'm 70) listened when our parents preached about listening to loud rock and roll! I have severe tinnitus that's probably the result of standing in front of megawatt sound systems and most certainly enhanced by several years listening to loud noises as a Communications Technician in The Navy.

Shear loudness doesn't seem to bother me as much as sitting directly in front of timpani and a bass drum being beaten so hard that I can feel it on my chops!

In my former line of work (law enforcement), I always wore hearing protection when I had range training, often double (earplugs and over the ears style), and the only job related hearing loss (high frequency in my left ear) I ascribe to wearing an earpiece for the portable radio for the last 15 years. I played a gig in the bay of a fire hall a couple years ago, standing in the back row, next to the percussion. I borrowed a set of foam earplugs from the fire department that day, as the echo was terrible. Most recently, I have tossed a set of foam earplugs (extras from the firearms range at the county ) into my bag following a concert where I was set up next to the drum set. I really want to keep that hearing loss to a minimum.

FWIW, when I played in an AF band we had and industrial hygienist measure the sound pressure levels in the practice hall. I can't remember the number, but the IH said that the peak decibel level at my left ear--2' and at ear-level from the top of the snare drum--was equivalent to standing on the flight line next to a taxiing F-16. We generally practiced about 6 hours a day, and the time-weighted average exceeded 80 db/8hr shift. Twenty five years later I do notice some hearing loss in that ear. As a result of the IH's measurements throughout the room we were required to use "blast shields" and everyone got a set of custom-molded "sound attenuators". I used mine in my left ear during practice and still use one (foam) earplug on the side of my head directly in line with the percussion. Eventually, we refurbished the rehearsal hall to reduce the impact of the sound levels.

I guess the points here are 1) the damage may take time to appear, 2) it's a function of both the intensity and duration of the loud sounds, and 3) if it were a work environment (as it is for professional players) there are OSHA regulations around the working conditions (even if they're rarely enforced). Best to take care of yourself...

Bill

smitwill1 wrote: I guess the points here are 1) the damage may take time to appear, 2) it's a function of both the intensity and duration of the loud sounds, and 3) if it were a work environment (as it is for professional players) there are OSHA regulations around the working conditions (even if they're rarely enforced). Best to take care of yourself...

Bill

I must wear hearing aids to understand the spoken word [such as the director]; I hear speech but cannot understand it when there is other noise/conversation going on at the same time. Parties are not fun! Music is not a problem with the exception of a very soft flute. I have been told by my ear doc that if we experience any measureable degree of pain in the ear from some sound, the damage caused is both permanent and cumulative. Remember all those times the percussion made your ears hurt? There you go! Wear protection.

Thanks for the discussion.
My original query was if community bands discuss hearing loss with their members and if any community bands provide foam ear plugs for their members.
Do you think that community bands have any obligation (moral or otherwise) to caution their members about possible hearing loss?
I'd appreciate your input on this.
Keith, Toronto