Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by leafsfan7524 on Feb 19, 2007 18:14:50 GMT -5
I've never worn ear plugs to a concert before, but I've been to some really loud concerts recently and have been playing drums for a while, and I think my hearing is slowly going. If I'm gonna see 20-30 bands in 4 days I think I may want to bring a few pairs.
Does anyone else wear them? If so what do you wear? Are there any somewhat cool looking ones (not the bright yellow ones)? And are there certian things I should look for what I buy them?
I don't want ear plugs that totally cut out the music, but for times when my ears are sensative I would like something to cut out just enough of the sound where my sensative ears won't hurt.
Post by stuckinutero on Feb 19, 2007 18:44:19 GMT -5
leafsfan7524 said:
I've never worn ear plugs to a concert before, but I've been to some really loud concerts recently and have been playing drums for a while, and I think my hearing is slowly going. If I'm gonna see 20-30 bands in 4 days I think I may want to bring a few pairs.
Does anyone else wear them? If so what do you wear? Are there any somewhat cool looking ones (not the bright yellow ones)? And are there certian things I should look for what I buy them?
I don't want ear plugs that totally cut out the music, but for times when my ears are sensative I would like something to cut out just enough of the sound where my sensative ears won't hurt.
Whatever you gotta do to protect yourself bro. I can relate completely. I still can't bring myself to wear plugs. I will however be bringing a few pairs to Roo. They are great for sleeping purposes alone.
Roo is a 24/4 party man, it can get rough trying to sleep when people next to you are partying. On the same hand its wrong to ruin their good time, its BONNAROO!!!! Consideration works both ways. I've gotten people who yelled at me before for being very reasonable. I mean you're with 79,999 other people, what do you expect?
I was born in the back seat of a Yellow Cab in a hospital loading zone and with the meter still running. I emerged needing a shave and shouted 'Time Square, and step on it!
Post by unplugdacusticaz on Feb 19, 2007 19:04:09 GMT -5
I definitely just use plugs for the sleep portion of the trip, I feel like I'm missing the whole point of seeing a band live if I wear plugs because it drowns out a lot of the small things that you should be hearing.
don't listen to these coments. You're not going to care about how a show sounded when your hearing starts raidly declining. I wear plugs to any concert that's loud, especially if I'm going to be upfront. I was front row for panic on NYE in ATL this year and my ears rang for almost a week. That's what made me get earplugs. people don't give a shit what you look like at shows, they are there for the music. Barely anyone will notice that you have earplugs in. You won't speak to 95% of the people at a concert anyway. don't worry about how they look. I have ones with a string just in case they fall out. Also you can still hear every bit of the music. I thought they were not working at first because I could hear so well. The way you can tell you have them in is when you try to talk to someone next to you, it's impossible to hear them. It just makes the extreme loud sounds not hurt your ears so much. If you ever go to a concert for a loud band and are near the front invest in some plugs your ears will thank you.
They're only $5 and they will help keep you from going deaf.
the music isn't blasting loud at 'roo though. i mean, if you feel you need them for your safety do what you gotta do. but i was probably in the center right of the crowd at Radiohead last year, the biggest act there right? probably the largest crowd of the festival right? so the speakers should have been at their loudest right? at no point did i ever feel the music was too loud (nor did i for any other act i saw for that matter)
and personally, i -love- talking to other people during shows man, its part of the whole experience. can't say the conversation is always terribly intelligent but... "did you see that?!" "....yeah!"
best thing you could do is bring em with you. you think its too loud, wear em...you don't think you need em, take em out.
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs, but my back's not to the wall Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man, but the days just aren't that long So if I settle back and chill will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream? I thought it was the Story of the World!
Post by spookymonster on Feb 19, 2007 22:33:48 GMT -5
Mebby I'm being an old fart here, but I highly recommend at least giving plugs a try. You can always take them out and judge for yourself if you need them. In nightclubs, I always wear 'em, but outdoor concerts can vary, e.g., floor seats for Bon Jovi at the Meadowlands - yes; front row GA for DMB at Randall's Island - no.
As for how they look, do you really think they'll make you stand out in the sea of natty dreaded, glow-stick wavin', "I break for hallucinations" t-shirt wearin', Camelbak-bong totin' lunatics?
As for how they look, do you really think they'll make you stand out in the sea of natty dreaded, glow-stick wavin', "I break for hallucinations" t-shirt wearin', Camelbak-bong totin' lunatics?
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs, but my back's not to the wall Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man, but the days just aren't that long So if I settle back and chill will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream? I thought it was the Story of the World!
Post by I Can't Wait! on Feb 19, 2007 23:52:39 GMT -5
Yeah, if you have to be right up front then sure why not wear them? (you notice most of the folks working there, security, photographers etc. do) I tend to hang back away from the speakers so I don't find it necessary. As far as how they look, when we take our son to shows we put the flourescent orange moldable ones in his ears, bright as hell! Who knows, little highlight like that might heighten someone elses experience. So go for it, or just stand back, either way protect your hearing, as you get older you might have to wonder how your hearing aid will look, and you'll need it every day.
Here, check these out, they're high fidelity earplugs for musicians. They're designed to keep all the audio levels constant in relation to each other, but drop the total volume, so it's just like turning the dial down. I mean, they're made for listening to music!
Post by oatmealschnappz on Feb 20, 2007 0:32:52 GMT -5
I always bring them to Roo but, I usually only use them for the "must be up front" bands. After waiting through 3 bands to see a headliner, that sh*t can start to wear on you. I can't wear them for sleep, though. It's just too uncomfortable for me.
I used to say I missed a lot from earplugs (but I only had access to the foam 30dB types way back then), but I miss the sound of silence a lot more now...
I used to say I missed a lot from earplugs (but I only had access to the foam 30dB types way back then), but I miss the sound of silence a lot more now...
That sucks...I understand that Tinnitus is not a fun disease.
Last Edit: Feb 20, 2007 12:09:34 GMT -5 by joga - Back to Top
Post by mynameischristy on Feb 20, 2007 12:16:25 GMT -5
I got the disposable hearos last year for sleeping and they were an absolute lifesaver, and they were only $1 a pair at a guitar shop...absolutely worth it.
My friend gave me a pair of earplugs that are wax, and you mold them to the shape of your outer ear. You don't actually have to put them in your ear, so I've found that they're better for sleeping and they keep more noise out. Just thought I would throw that out there. I assume you can get them anywhere, but I have no idea about cost or anything. They're just little balls of wax.
Post by poopzilla33 on Feb 20, 2007 12:24:01 GMT -5
the thing about me and earplugs is they bother me when i'm "not in my right mind", so i sucks bringing them to concerts, but i also don't wanna loose any hearing. so my deal is usually to wear a hat ro bandanna over my ears, it doesn't work as well but i'm nto annoyed throughout the whole cocnert
I used to say I missed a lot from earplugs (but I only had access to the foam 30dB types way back then), but I miss the sound of silence a lot more now...
That sucks...I understand that Tinnitus is not a fun disease.
Yeah, it's my "little friend" that never goes away. I have to keep a fan running near me when I'm at home or sleeping so I don't notice the constant pitch. Hopefully they'll come up with a cure some day, but I'm not taking any chances with it getting worse.
If I could help prevent just a few people from getting tinnitus, then my (self-inflicted) problem won't have been in vain, IMO.
I used to say I missed a lot from earplugs (but I only had access to the foam 30dB types way back then), but I miss the sound of silence a lot more now...
These earplugs are very good for their price. I am an audiology student (the science of hearing basically) and I have 2 pairs of these. I wouldnt want to sleep with them in, as i'd be afraid of pushing them in too far when I sleep on my side. However in terms of for music they are good. Like the musicians ear plugs they do a flat decrease of overall sound, as opposed to the foam ones which usually block out the high frequencies alot more.
I will definately be wearing ear plugs for when I'm close at all, as there is definite damage that can happen (not trying to be preachy, just trying to help you all for the future. Unless you really want to pay me $5k for hearing aids when you cant hear anymore).
Pigsnzen: If you really want to attempt to help get rid of the tinnitus (nothing can completely cure it) but look up Tinnitus Rehabilitation Therapy, its an 18 month long program that takes a decent amount of willpower, but from what I've read about it (I did my senior project on it) I think it works the best. Good luck, from everything I know about it it sure isn't fun.
Thanks, Barry. I've heard (heh-heh) about that program - does it basically train your brain to ignore the tinnitus tone? I think William Shattner went through it. Mine is somewhat faint and I don't really notice it until things get quiet. On the plus side, it hasn't gotten any worse in the past 8 years due to my religious use of plugs at shows, when using power tools, and at the range.
Post by barryzuckercorn on Feb 20, 2007 14:16:47 GMT -5
pigsnzen said:
Thanks, Barry. I've heard (heh-heh) about that program - does it basically train your brain to ignore the tinnitus tone?
Yes, from what I understand you listen to (acceptable) sounds that are just a bit quieter than the tinnitus, thus teaching (tricking) your brain that the sound is acceptable and that you no longer notice it. It requires the use of a hearing aid type device (for some people, but definitely not all) that pumps sound into your ear. Otherwise you can just have music playing in the background at all times. Plus there is a bit of counseling that goes along with it. Can't get into too specific because I do not know everything and don't want to give any false information, but that's what I know.
I've used the cheap foamy kinds and have recently upgraded to Etymotic ER-20s. Having been to some excruciatingly loud shows (KMFDM at a club in Atlanta, for example), the Ety's are easily the best $20 I've spent in a looooong time.
You can get 100 or so foam earplugs (used for a ton of applications, though rarely for music) for a few dollars, if you're in a bind. If you're serious about some 'concert-going' earplugs, though, check out the ER-20s or something similar.
Yeah, it's my "little friend" that never goes away. I have to keep a fan running near me when I'm at home or sleeping so I don't notice the constant pitch.
You and me both, man. The only problem is that mine is from a ear infection when I was 2 or 3 years old. I've never known the sound of silence.
Post by roolacksreality on Feb 20, 2007 17:13:43 GMT -5
pat5507 said:
don't listen to these coments. You're not going to care about how a show sounded when your hearing starts raidly declining. I wear plugs to any concert that's loud, especially if I'm going to be upfront. I was front row for panic on NYE in ATL this year and my ears rang for almost a week. That's what made me get earplugs. people don't give a nuts what you look like at shows, they are there for the music. Barely anyone will notice that you have earplugs in. You won't speak to 95% of the people at a concert anyway. don't worry about how they look. I have ones with a string just in case they fall out. Also you can still hear every bit of the music. I thought they were not working at first because I could hear so well. The way you can tell you have them in is when you try to talk to someone next to you, it's impossible to hear them. It just makes the extreme loud sounds not hurt your ears so much. If you ever go to a concert for a loud band and are near the front invest in some plugs your ears will thank you.
They're only $5 and they will help keep you from going deaf.
I don't know about that. I was right up against the barricade of Les and his moniters at Oysterhead, and it was not that bad. Then again the combination of geltabs and the fact that my hearing was kinda damaged from before could probably effected that ;D.
Post by melikecheese on Feb 22, 2007 11:42:22 GMT -5
I use Hearos for shows I go to. I wont bring them to Roo, I dont see the noise being an issue at a outdoor place, im far enough away. I do bring crap ones for sleeping.
I've never noticed the sound to be too loud at Roo.. I did go to a Roots concert here in Atlanta at the Tabernaclle and I did not have Ear plugs for that. I couldn't hear properly for 3 days afterwards.. BUt at Roo they do a very good job at not overdoing the volume levels in my opinion.
I agree on the volume levels. I've only used my earplugs a couple of times so far at Bonnaroo (The Secret Machines show comes to mind). You can always move back a bit and still get great sound unless it's a tent show, where the sound can become muddled outside of the tent.
All of the earplugs that have been suggested with links seem to have that same design so Im sure most earplugs with that^ design work fine. Just observing
My fiance had his made from a mold of his ear at a local place. He wears them at concerts and when he does live sound. They are the kind previously mentioned that mute the sound without changing it. He's a recording engineer and his ears are his livelihood so he's very protective of them. He's very preachy about ear protection. He also wears them when vacuuming and anything else that is loud. I think they were around $150 but totally worth it to protect his ears. He has to get a new pair because the dog ate one. oops. He wore them all over at 'roo last year.
If you happen to forget, they give out earplugs at the kids tent.
