Live concerts hurt my ears. Any suggestions?

[BoogieManFL]

My girlfriend and I are going to go see Blue October(US) this coming weekend on Friday and Saturday. We've never done back to back concerts before. But I have a problem every time we go to live performances, I have sensitive ears and they always ring and hurt after concerts. Even more so now that we usually get up close to the stage. My hearing has always been sensitive and I often hear things other people don't, which gets annoying especially if you're trying to sleep. That and how people look at you like you're crazy. Some of those sonic bird repellants you'll see at outdoor areas of food courts and such have bothered me with an unpleasant feeling in my spine. And one in a storage warehouse once made me feel sick to my stomach. Very odd and like I said it is very annoying because no one else seems bothered by it.

I don't like having my ears ring for some times a few days after and I find it painful during the concert themselves. I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

Does anyone else have this problem, or have any advice? Are there different grades of ear plugs or something like that?

 

[omega 616]

The only choices I see are....

1) man up, which I wouldn't suggest.

2) stop giving a rats ass what people think of you... Everyone should follow this advice anyway and start wearing ear plugs. Cheapo ones probably won't block too much noise, just take the edge off.

3) stop being a masochist, if it hurts and makes you feel sick, stop going. If you put your hand in a fire, do you put it in a second time to make sure the pain is consistent?

Sorry but this is why I think common sense should be re-branded to just sense. There is nothing else you can do besides one of those 3 things, it's not like somebody is going to post "if you put your tongue at the top of your mouth, wiggle your eye brows and rise and lower your big toes in opposite directions you will be fine".

 

[Asita]

This seems relevant. Short version is that wearing earplugs at a concert isn't a bad idea to start with, much less if you have sensitive ears, so you probably shouldn't feel bad if you feel the need to use them.

 

[Catfood220]

My girlfriend and I are going to go see Blue October(US) this coming weekend on Friday and Saturday. We've never done back to back concerts before. But I have a problem every time we go to live performances, I have sensitive ears and they always ring and hurt after concerts. Even more so now that we usually get up close to the stage. My hearing has always been sensitive and I often hear things other people don't, which gets annoying especially if you're trying to sleep. That and how people look at you like you're crazy. Some of those sonic bird repellants you'll see at outdoor areas of food courts and such have bothered me with an unpleasant feeling in my spine. And one in a storage warehouse once made me feel sick to my stomach. Very odd and like I said it is very annoying because no one else seems bothered by it.

I don't like having my ears ring for some times a few days after and I find it painful during the concert themselves. I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

Does anyone else have this problem, or have any advice? Are there different grades of ear plugs or something like that?

I would suggest that you buy some ear plugs, I don't use them myself but you will see that the security in front of the stage will always use them and often the musicians themselves will use them too to stop ruining their own hearing. From what I understand they take away some of the loudness but you should still be able to hear the act on stage.

Like I said I don't use them, so I can't recommend any particular brand. I wish I had used them when I started going to gigs, my hearing is not a good as it should be. As for if I suffer from ringing ears, I don't while I'm watching bands at festivals, but if I go to see a band in a small intimate venue, then I do notice for a couple of days later my hearing is worse.

 

[sanquin]

Buy motorcycle earplugs. Medium or light protection. They're a little bit more expensive, but are designed to dampen sounds just enough so you won't damage your ears, but can still hear everything that needs to be heard.

It works for me when I'm riding my bike at least. I ride a chopper, so the sound can get pretty loud. With plugs in I can still hear people talk if I don't fiddle with my helmet (fiddling produces noise), and even though I still hear all sounds, they're a lot softer. Turns the roaring sound of the engine into a nice growl.

 

[BoogieManFL]

Sorry but this is why I think common sense should be re-branded to just sense. There is nothing else you can do besides one of those 3 things, it's not like somebody is going to post "if you put your tongue at the top of your mouth, wiggle your eye brows and rise and lower your big toes in opposite directions you will be fine".

Only the bird repellants made me feel sick. The concerts just hurt but wasn't like excruciating. I didn't like ringing and I know after repeated events it can have a cumulative effect. And the fact I am asking for other opinions is exactly me using common sense and seeing if anyone else has, you know, useful advice. I posted hoping someone with more knowledge about ear plugs would have some advice, like sanquin mentioned below. I thought there might be different grades of them and it sounds like there is. So my "common sense" appears to have paid off. Instead of dealing with the problem, I'm looking to fix it. TBH your post is kind of pointless and even a little insulting.

Buy motorcycle earplugs. Medium or light protection. They're a little bit more expensive, but are designed to dampen sounds just enough so you won't damage your ears, but can still hear everything that needs to be heard.

It works for me when I'm riding my bike at least. I ride a chopper, so the sound can get pretty loud. With plugs in I can still hear people talk if I don't fiddle with my helmet (fiddling produces noise), and even though I still hear all sounds, they're a lot softer. Turns the roaring sound of the engine into a nice growl.

This seems relevant. Short version is that wearing earplugs at a concert isn't a bad idea to start with, much less if you have sensitive ears, so you probably shouldn't feel bad if you feel the need to use them.

Thanks for the link! It looks like it will be very useful.


That sounds like exactly what I need. Can you suggest any common chains (Wal-Mart, Target, etc) where I might find something like this?

Thanks for advice!

 

[Lionsfan]

My girlfriend and I are going to go see Blue October(US) this coming weekend on Friday and Saturday. We've never done back to back concerts before. But I have a problem every time we go to live performances, I have sensitive ears and they always ring and hurt after concerts. Even more so now that we usually get up close to the stage. My hearing has always been sensitive and I often hear things other people don't, which gets annoying especially if you're trying to sleep. That and how people look at you like you're crazy. Some of those sonic bird repellants you'll see at outdoor areas of food courts and such have bothered me with an unpleasant feeling in my spine. And one in a storage warehouse once made me feel sick to my stomach. Very odd and like I said it is very annoying because no one else seems bothered by it.

I don't like having my ears ring for some times a few days after and I find it painful during the concert themselves. I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

Does anyone else have this problem, or have any advice? Are there different grades of ear plugs or something like that?

I'd just suggest buying earplugs. If you don't want to pay a lot for the motorcycle ones, just buy a pair like these.

I've got a friend with bad hearing, and he wears those, and he loves them. You can get like a 12 pack for 5 bucks, so if you lose them, no biggie. They really just dampen everything

 

[sanquin]

That sounds like exactly what I need. Can you suggest any common chains (Wal-Mart, Target, etc) where I might find something like this?

Thanks for advice!

Sorry, can't help you with that. I live in the Netherlands and we don't even have Wal-Mart here, for one. ^^;; I got mine at a motorcycle shop and garage though.

 

[Esotera]

You have the choice of not going to concerts, wearing earplugs, or doing nothing. Or possibly asking the band to play quieter...but I doubt that would be successful. As long as you don't head to concerts regularly I'd just do nothing, if it's more than once a month then it will fuck up your hearing especially if you're near the amps.

 

[omega 616]

snip

This is what I would do in your position, decide if I still want to go to live shows and if I do, then I'd Google ear plugs to see if there are any specially designed for people in my situation. If there weren't any for people with my problem, I would then Google recommendations for what other people use to sort this problem 'cos what are the chances you're the only person in the world with this affliction?

This just seems like you thought "let's just jump on the escapist and post a thread".

 

[ToastiestZombie]

Just wear earplugs, I have similarly sensitive ears and I use them and really, as long as you don't act weird nobody will give a damn, it's like playing a handheld games console in public. Most of the embarrasment is self-made, no-one is actually judging you for it.

As for hearing, if you have sensitive ears it's actually much, much better because you don't have the pain, the crackling/ringing during songs and overall it's not bad. The last concert I went to I got some cheap earplugs and even then I could hear the music much, much clearer.

Don't risk damaging your hearing to look cool in-front of people who shoud like you already, and people who will be/are too drunk or pre-occupied to notice.

 

[Scolar Visari]

My girlfriend and I are going to go see Blue October(US) this coming weekend on Friday and Saturday. We've never done back to back concerts before. But I have a problem every time we go to live performances, I have sensitive ears and they always ring and hurt after concerts. Even more so now that we usually get up close to the stage. My hearing has always been sensitive and I often hear things other people don't, which gets annoying especially if you're trying to sleep. That and how people look at you like you're crazy. Some of those sonic bird repellants you'll see at outdoor areas of food courts and such have bothered me with an unpleasant feeling in my spine. And one in a storage warehouse once made me feel sick to my stomach. Very odd and like I said it is very annoying because no one else seems bothered by it.

I don't like having my ears ring for some times a few days after and I find it painful during the concert themselves. I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

Does anyone else have this problem, or have any advice? Are there different grades of ear plugs or something like that?

May I suggest a set of Sonic Defenders.

http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/hearing-protection.html

They may be a bit pricier than your average dime-store foam earplugs, but if you attend concerts as much as you say then the Sonic Defenders will prove worth the increased price.

Increased durability and comfort as well as a proven system that helps to defeat high decibel noises while providing you the ability to continue normal conversation relatively unimpeded makes these a things a pretty good buy.

EDIT: You can also find these in the shooting/outdoor/sports section of most Walmarts if you have those by you.

 

[BeeGeenie]

I feel your pain. I hate live concerts for the same reason.

My suggestion: Just stand around outside the concert.
You won't kill your ears, you'll still hear the music, and you won't spend a fortune on tickets.

Or use earplugs I guess.

 

[Evil Smurf]

Wear ear plugs if you care about yor hearing. I really should, I go to gigs often enough.

 

[Fatboy_41]

Yea, I'll jump on the ear plugs bandwagon here. And that advice goes to everyone. I'm 26, and I'm already looking at a hearing aid due to eating loss. Partially my fault, partly jut one of those things te doctors can find a reason for. And believe me, hearing loss at this age sucks. If I got to a pub that's playing music and I'm talking to someone more than a few feet away, I almost always have to ask them to repeat themselves as I lean in with my good ear. It makes dates incredibly frustrating too.

So... Look after your ears, wear earplugs and don't join artillery.

 

[piinyouri]

Most rock concerts are loud enough you can hear the music fine through ear plugs, without damaging your ears.
Everyone I know uses plugs when going to concerts. It's just the best thing to do if you're concerned with the long term care of your hearing, so I say go for it.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Yup, earplugs. They have them for all purposes. Do a little research online. They even make them especially for musicians as I understand from my friend who works at a plant that designs and manufactures such things. Various types exist for various purposes and various price points. Find the ones that are right for your needs and enjoy the music without the damage and other unpleasant effects.

 

[HardkorSB]

I don't like having my ears ring for some times a few days after and I find it painful during the concert themselves. I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

If you're experiencing actual pain and discomfort, do something about it. I would prefer someone calling me a "pansy" than having a migraine. Don't let the opinion of others (or rather the supposed opinion, since you say "probably") force you to damage your health. It's not worth it.

 

[Karhukonna]

I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

Use earplugs, they're the best. When I last went to a metal gig, all the metalheads in the audience had earplugs. I didn't spot a single one going without earplugs. Except me, I figured I have to try an indoor gig without them at least once in my life. I'll never skip out on earplugs again. It was cool and the sound was crisp, but the ringing was very annoying.

 

[OneCatch]

I don't like having my ears ring for some times a few days after and I find it painful during the concert themselves. I thought about getting earplugs, but I wondered if they'd block too much that I couldn't enjoy the music or hear the speaking sections. That and you'd probably be looked at like you're a little pansy if you keep popping them in and out, heh.

Does anyone else have this problem, or have any advice? Are there different grades of ear plugs or something like that?

Wear Earplugs!

Even cheap foam ones should just strip out excess volume, and allow you to hear the speaking sections relatively uninhibited. You could always get some hi-fi ones instead if you're a regular gig-goer.

I'm not overly noise sensitive myself so don't need to use them (for gigs at least, I regretted not having any after a day at RIAT), but if noise is causing you physical discomfort then it's a pretty good sign that it's too loud. Nothing to be ashamed of; be glad you've got exceptionally good hearing!

Anecdotally, the musicians on the stage will most likely be wearing earplugs as well, and they're behind most of the speakers. When my father does stage work nowadays they often provide custom-moulded earpieces [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-ear_monitors] (which cost about £600 a pair) because it's seen as really important. Admittedly they also give better monitoring feedback than a stage-facing amp, but it's primarily for ear protection.

Anyone that were to actually take the piss of someone wearing earplugs is an ignorant ass.