I now wear plugs to every show, even PJ, as for the past 4 years have had that ringing. Granted I go to a lot of shows but I never tire of warning people about it.
EXACTLY....I think I have gotten some minor tenitus by combination of playing in a band, listening to my ipod constantly, and a few very loud shows last winter (NIN, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Cult)....so, from now on I will be wearing ear plugs to certains hows. I got away without them at Dave Matthews, but I will have them for Red Hot Chili Peppers. I think Ill probably wear earplugs for most shows but not for Pearl Jam shows lol.
I've faced it, a life wasted, and I'm never going back again.
I've started getting a mild tenitus in the last couple of weeks..it just suddenly started...only really noticeable at night or when it's very quiet...but annoying all the same..
so despite the fact it's a bit annoying, I'll make an effort to wear the earplugs..don't want it to get worse..
The quality of the plugs is a big difference though.
Basic foam ones distort the sound too much..
there's custom ones...but they're VERY expensive.
I've had tinnitus for 7 years so I was wearing plugs in Dublin called musicsafe (about £12) it actually makes the sound clearer (I could hear everything Ed said when he was talking which I know some around me couldn't) and means that if they get feedback etc it doesn't effect you as much. It's up to you but I wouldn't wish anyone to end up with tinnitus.
So are we strangers now? Like rock and roll and the radio?
My hearing is pretty dodgy and i blame it on all the shows i've been to over the years... for some reason i always end up beside the speakers! I didnt have any at Pearl Jam and the speakers were right beside me and i was getting worried...but once they started playing and i got into it, i forgot all about the fact that i could be doing myself some serious damage.
as someone mentioned, multiple shows right on top of each other, earplugs are a great idea...especially if you are close. i went to many shows in a row during the canadian show, quite luckily had some pretty sweet seats, and i had ringing in my ears for days. yikes. so now, i always BRING earplugs, in fact i always have a pair in my purse.....and i see/hear if it's necessary or not. always good to be prepared.
This was supposed to be a poll-like opening for conversation on a pretty important subject and I think it turned out to be a quite succesful one. Thanks for everybody for your opinions.
"You see, most blokes will be playing at 10. You’re on 10, all the way up, all the way up...Where can you go from there? Nowhere. What we do, is if we need that extra push over the cliff...Eleven. One louder."
You don't know how loud a band will be until you get there, or (sometimes) where you'll be in relation to the speakers. So why not take plugs anyway .. then you have them to use if you feel it necessary. Nothing to stop you putting them in or taking them out during the show
Fifteen minutes before the show was to start at Bercy, an announcement comes on...
"Welcome to Bercy. Ear plugs are available at the entrance of the main hall, thanks to (our ear plug sponsor) if you wish to preserve your hearing."
As if everyone at the front of the stage was going to make a beeline for some ear plugs before My Morning Jacket came on...
By the way, my ears didn't ring at all after both shows in France.
Something must have changed because I used to come home from shows with ringing in my ears that lasted until the next day.
I went to the back to back Showbox shows in 2002. I used to only `usually' wear plugs to shows, but didn't have them on me at the time... I was in the first couple rows in front of Mike, near the speaker. I now have permanent tinnitus. I can't hear people whisper, even when they're directly in my ear. Loud sounds now actually `hurt' my ears. I can't listen to music and hear the full range any more, and it's much harder to communicate in social events with background noise (parties).
A good and dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Tinnitus and he said it nearly drove him to suicide..He developed it during the first Gulf War and always took care of his hearing. He has to sleep with so much "white noise" that he can't even hear the phone ringing in the morning. It's a constant hum in the ear and sometimes with constant ringing.
i took earplugs to the Halifax show and used them for the opening act and that was all. I found that from where i was sitting it was only beneficial during the SK set and that i was having a hard time hearing the band when PJ started...and i wanted to sing along and i can't stand hearing my own voice like you do when wearing ear plugs.
I've had tinnitus for 7 years so I was wearing plugs in Dublin called musicsafe (about £12) it actually makes the sound clearer (I could hear everything Ed said when he was talking which I know some around me couldn't) and means that if they get feedback etc it doesn't effect you as much. It's up to you but I wouldn't wish anyone to end up with tinnitus.
I bought this kind of earplugs (but cheaper, it was 5€ a pair) in Paris. I bought them because of My Morning Jacket... and it's true the sound is much clearer, no reverb or any effect, it was great, you just enjoy the music. I admit I took them off for PJ, I couldn't hear me singing while wearing them (actually... this might be a good thing, I sing so bad)
Even 10 mintues at a Pearl Jam concert can cause damage to your ear drums. Its pretty scary actually, and I can tell you we're gonna have quite a few deaf PJ fans in another 10 years or so!
I went to 4 shows in a week last year, and after the first one I decided to buy some ear plugs. Unfortunately I only ended up wearing them for like half a show. The music actually did sound better...less distortion and much clearer. But like someone mentioned earlier, when you try to sing along it sounds like you're singing WAY loud. That really bothered me (especially since my voice sucks!), so I had to take them out...I just HAVE to sing along to PJ! Luckily I don't go to many rock shows these days, cause I really don't wanna go deaf!
Peace
:-p
"Six million dollars we turned down, to prevent our song to be sung by a cock" E.V. - San Diego, June 5, 2003
With the tour upon us, I’m bumping this thread. If you don’t have ear plugs, please consider getting some, in particular ones made for live music and not the foam ones. They’ll sound much better and let more of the high end in. There's plenty on the internet, or shop local at the guitar/music store. Thank you!
2000 - Chicago, IL 2003 - Champaign, IL 2006 - Chicago, IL 1 & 2 2007 - Chicago, IL Lollapalooza 2009 - Chicago, IL 1 & 2 2010 - St. Louis, MO 2011 - East Troy, WI 1 & 2 (PJ20 Destination Weekend) 2012 - Atlanta, GA, Missoula, MT 2013 - Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field), Dallas, TX, Oklahoma City, OK 2014 - St. Louis, MO, Tulsa, OK, Moline, IL (No Code, IL), Saint Paul, MN, Milwaukee, WI (Yield, WI) 2016 - Greenville, SC (Vs, SC), Raleigh, NC, Columbia, SC, Boston, MA (Fenway Park 1), Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field 1 & 2)
2018 - Seattle, WA (Safeco Field 2), Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field 1 & 2), Boston, MA (Fenway Park 2)
2020 - Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Oklahoma City, OK, Phoenix, AZ, ?? 2022 - Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Oklahoma City, OK, Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV 2023 - St. Paul, MN 2, Fort Worth, TX 2, Austin, TX 1, and Austin, TX 2
2024 - Portland, OR and Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field 1 & 2)
2012 - Temple of the Dog East Troy, WI (PJ20 Destination Weekend) 2014 - Soundgarden Tinley Park, IL (with Nine Inch Nails)
2014 - Alice in Chains Davenport, IA
2016 - Chris Cornell Solo Madison, WI and Peoria, IL (official hometown show)
2016 - Temple of the Dog San Francisco, CA (both shows) 2017 - Soundgarden Dallas (cancelled) RIP Chris Cornell
2018 - Smashing Pumpkins Chicago, IL (first show)
2019 - Alice in Chains Milwaukee, WI
2022 - Jerry Cantrell Chicago, IL 2023 - Jerry Cantrell Milwaukee, WI
RIP Andrew Wood, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Chris Cornell
RIP Mom (may your star shine the brightest in the sky, our family loves and misses you very much, we'll meet again)
With the tour upon us, I’m bumping this thread. If you don’t have ear plugs, please consider getting some, in particular ones made for live music and not the foam ones. They’ll sound much better and let more of the high end in. There's plenty on the internet, or shop local at the guitar/music store. Thank you!
Last year I finally made the move to get some fitted plugs from Sensaphonics in Chicago as a gift from my wife. It's amazing to be able to hear bands up close with little to no loss of sound apart from the high highs and ambient crowd noise. Didn't wear them before and there's plenty of options out there, but fitted ones have been helpful as I naturally gravitate towards speaker stacks.
Pass. Unless it blocks out the bozos behind talking about fantasy football...
Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13; WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
We got ear plugs for when we were in GA for Nashville in '22. We were about 6 feet from the rail right in front of Stone and I am glad we had them. I will wear them for arena shows, but we will be outdoors for all of the shows we are going to this summer PJ x 2, Foo Fighters and Jason Isbell. I don't plan on wearing them.
I've had hearing damage since I was 19. I went to see Soundgarden play at the PNE Forum in Vancouver. It's a little old jr hockey arena with horrible acoustics. Bands need to crank the volume in that thing just so people can hear the music. It was so loud, I didn't have a ringing problem, I had a static problem. All I could hear for a few days after the show was static, it took 2 to 3 days to calm down to ringing.
I think that's where my Tinnitus started. I've work ear plugs (usually just foam ones, as rigid ones big my ears) ever since. I think I forgot a pair for a Metallica show in '98, and a bar show a year later, but I've worn them at every show since My Dad sat me down at the Soundgarden show and told me if I'm going to keep going to concerts I need to start wearing plus or I won't have any hearing left when I'm older.
I've struggled with Tinnitus for years. I can't imagine how much worse it would be if I didn't wear plugs to the 100's and 100's of shows I've gone too over the years.
Pink Bunny hat. Covers the ears and you get long bunny ears to rock with.
Soldier Field 7-11-95, Alpine Valley 6-26-98, United Center 6-29-98, Riverport Amphitheater (St. Louis)7-2-98, MGM Grand Arena 10-22-00, Sprint Center (Kansas City)5-3-10, Adams Event Center (Missoula)9-30-12, Wrigley Field 7-19-13, Jobing.com Arena (Phoenix)11-19-13, Moda Center (Portland)11-29-13, Spokane Arena 11-30-13, Pepsi Center (Denver)10-22-14, Gila River Arena (Phoenix)5-9-22, Moody Center (Austin)9-18-23, Moody Center 9-19-23, Rogers Arena (Vancouver)5-4-24, Rogers Arena 5-6-24, MGM Grand 5-16-24, MGM Grand 5-18-24, Wrigley Field 8-29-24, Wrigley Field 8-31-24
I’ve been doing plugs for a while now after developing tinnitus. For the most part the sound is fine but on some of the more acoustic songs I will pull the plug out slightly to hear a little bit more.
After many years of not using earplugs or having to stuff tissues in my ears impromptu (I'm looking at you, Jack White). I finally got some great earplugs (Eargasms). I have been wearing them to different shows and they are comfortable and don't muffle the sound like foam ones. Highly recommended.
We got ear plugs for when we were in GA for Nashville in '22. We were about 6 feet from the rail right in front of Stone and I am glad we had them. I will wear them for arena shows, but we will be outdoors for all of the shows we are going to this summer PJ x 2, Foo Fighters and Jason Isbell. I don't plan on wearing them.
It’s your call, of course, but we do wear earplugs at Ohana; we went without one year, forgetting how loud it gets, and regretted it.
All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
After many years of not using earplugs or having to stuff tissues in my ears impromptu (I'm looking at you, Jack White). I finally got some great earplugs (Eargasms). I have been wearing them to different shows and they are comfortable and don't muffle the sound like foam ones. Highly recommended.
We’re trying those this year. We were side stage for both Vancouver shows, row nine the other night, sound was great and ears were happy.
All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
After many years of not using earplugs or having to stuff tissues in my ears impromptu (I'm looking at you, Jack White). I finally got some great earplugs (Eargasms). I have been wearing them to different shows and they are comfortable and don't muffle the sound like foam ones. Highly recommended.
+1 re: Eargasms. For those considering buying a pair also grab their "connector cord" accessory - it easily connects to the plugs and allows you to hang them around your neck.
After many years of not using earplugs or having to stuff tissues in my ears impromptu (I'm looking at you, Jack White). I finally got some great earplugs (Eargasms). I have been wearing them to different shows and they are comfortable and don't muffle the sound like foam ones. Highly recommended.
Thanks for the tip. I'd rather be able to hear long term than worry about looking like a dork. I'm kinda used to that anyhow. When you lose it, it's GONE!
"A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
Comments
EXACTLY....I think I have gotten some minor tenitus by combination of playing in a band, listening to my ipod constantly, and a few very loud shows last winter (NIN, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Cult)....so, from now on I will be wearing ear plugs to certains hows. I got away without them at Dave Matthews, but I will have them for Red Hot Chili Peppers. I think Ill probably wear earplugs for most shows but not for Pearl Jam shows lol.
Some die just to live.
so despite the fact it's a bit annoying, I'll make an effort to wear the earplugs..don't want it to get worse..
The quality of the plugs is a big difference though.
Basic foam ones distort the sound too much..
there's custom ones...but they're VERY expensive.
the ones I got are cheap but not too bad
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
I thought Spinal Tap held the designation as "Loudest Band in the World".
the other foot in the gutter
sweet smell that they adore
I think I'd rather smother
-The Replacements-
They're 'one louder'....
"You see, most blokes will be playing at 10. You’re on 10, all the way up, all the way up...Where can you go from there? Nowhere. What we do, is if we need that extra push over the cliff...Eleven. One louder."
You don't know how loud a band will be until you get there, or (sometimes) where you'll be in relation to the speakers. So why not take plugs anyway .. then you have them to use if you feel it necessary. Nothing to stop you putting them in or taking them out during the show
"Welcome to Bercy. Ear plugs are available at the entrance of the main hall, thanks to (our ear plug sponsor) if you wish to preserve your hearing."
As if everyone at the front of the stage was going to make a beeline for some ear plugs before My Morning Jacket came on...
By the way, my ears didn't ring at all after both shows in France.
Something must have changed because I used to come home from shows with ringing in my ears that lasted until the next day.
Don't fuck with hearing loss- WEAR PLUGS!!!!!
Please do take care of your hearing.
I bought this kind of earplugs (but cheaper, it was 5€ a pair) in Paris. I bought them because of My Morning Jacket... and it's true the sound is much clearer, no reverb or any effect, it was great, you just enjoy the music. I admit I took them off for PJ, I couldn't hear me singing while wearing them
I went to 4 shows in a week last year, and after the first one I decided to buy some ear plugs. Unfortunately I only ended up wearing them for like half a show. The music actually did sound better...less distortion and much clearer. But like someone mentioned earlier, when you try to sing along it sounds like you're singing WAY loud. That really bothered me (especially since my voice sucks!), so I had to take them out...I just HAVE to sing along to PJ! Luckily I don't go to many rock shows these days, cause I really don't wanna go deaf!
Peace
:-p
2003 - Champaign, IL
2006 - Chicago, IL 1 & 2
2007 - Chicago, IL Lollapalooza
2009 - Chicago, IL 1 & 2
2010 - St. Louis, MO
2011 - East Troy, WI 1 & 2 (PJ20 Destination Weekend)
2012 - Atlanta, GA, Missoula, MT
2013 - Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field), Dallas, TX, Oklahoma City, OK
2014 - St. Louis, MO, Tulsa, OK, Moline, IL (No Code, IL), Saint Paul, MN, Milwaukee, WI (Yield, WI)
2016 - Greenville, SC (Vs, SC), Raleigh, NC, Columbia, SC, Boston, MA (Fenway Park 1), Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field 1 & 2)
2022 - Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Oklahoma City, OK, Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV
2023 - St. Paul, MN 2, Fort Worth, TX 2, Austin, TX 1, and Austin, TX 2
2014 - Soundgarden Tinley Park, IL (with Nine Inch Nails)
2017 - Soundgarden Dallas (cancelled) RIP Chris Cornell
2023 - Jerry Cantrell Milwaukee, WI
WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
I think that's where my Tinnitus started. I've work ear plugs (usually just foam ones, as rigid ones big my ears) ever since. I think I forgot a pair for a Metallica show in '98, and a bar show a year later, but I've worn them at every show since My Dad sat me down at the Soundgarden show and told me if I'm going to keep going to concerts I need to start wearing plus or I won't have any hearing left when I'm older.
I've struggled with Tinnitus for years. I can't imagine how much worse it would be if I didn't wear plugs to the 100's and 100's of shows I've gone too over the years.