Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

Maroon5 Ears Thread back

Though this is originally from way back in the day, thought I'd try moving it to the new board since the European Concerts are already up and running and we're holding our breath for the SIN shows here before the big (I'd assume) Fall kickoff shows. So, here it goes again! Mama

P.S. I doubt any links will work, so you'll just have to copy and paste, or e-mail me, I don't think, or rather know, if there's an inbox/message thing in here?
________________________________________
FYI - I'm putting back the Maroon5 Ears thread with the lecture about protecting your hearing. Hope you don't mind and heed the warning!! LOL

Mama
To those about to tour, we salute you

It's almost upon us - the new tour starts in just TWO days., so I'm kind of re-starting this thread in a couple of places so you can all be a little educated about how to take care of yourself and protect a very precious part of you when you go to see Maroon5 or any band in any size venue (especially the small, intimate, close to the speakers kind of place.)

So here's the old ~Maroon5 Ears~ thread, a bit updated, for those of you who will be going out to hear live music and need a bit of reminding. Hope you don't mind the friendly lecture.


Okay, now that I've got your attention, I would like to bring up a point to all you M5 listeners out there. (Yeah - here goes Mamamoots, off on one of her lectures/rants/whatevers, again!)

You may have noticed, that our boys (or men, rather) wear in-ear monitors during live performances. Not only does this help them hear themselves and other band members at decent levels, it also serves as ear protection from excessive sound. I am an Audiologist (that's someone who tests hearing, deals with hearing aids and protection from too much noise, etc).

I was thrilled to see that Maroon5 are being intelligent about preserving their hearing as this is an integral part of their lives! We also need to be aware of what damaging noise can do to us. If you ever leave a concert or other loud place and your ears feel stuffy and/or are ringing, it is an indication of excessive exposure to potentially dangerous sound levels. Your hearing should return to "normal" within about 16 hours. Some of us (myself included) suffer from a PERMANENT ringing sound in our ears. It will NEVER go away. It's called tinnitus.

In my case, I know it was from going to too many concerts unprotected, being in a band and not using ear protection, etc.

Don't let anyone tell you that just rock musician's have this problem - not true - Symphonic musicians also are at greater risk (actually more so than rock musicians as they spend more time practicing music they have not written!!)

Just want to throw this tidbit out to you so that someone (hopefully) will consider this and save themselves from the foolishness I now have to deal with 24/7!!

Now here's my confession to you. When I saw Maroon5 last April (2004), I put my custom earplugs in for the first part of the first song, said "f**k this!" to myself - took them out and let the waves of beautiful music wash over me!! Though I could feel my middle ear muscles go into almost constant contraction (the screaming girls didn't help!), I have to admit, I loved it! I paid for it the next day, though. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing this year (also in April), but I know I'll have my plugs with me.

Sorry for the lecture - just really wanted to give some of my experience as a subtle warning - you can - and I quote from the boys -
"Take what you want, 'cause it doesn't belong to me....."


You can get some kind of foam inserts at most pharmacies and even grocery stores. Look where they have any other ear stuff - drops, etc. Those should be good enough. I'd probably choose the foam over the waxy style - it's more comfortable.Gun shops or police supply stores have a good variety, but that would be more of the earmuff style - though they should have everything.

I now have custom made protection which is usually done by an Audiologist (look in the phone book under either audiologists, hearing aids - something like that). For these we make an impression of your ear, then usually send it away to have them made. They can be on a string to hang around your neck and since they are custom-fitted are easy to insert (the foam kind you roll down and have to let them expand for a short time.). The custom ones can be clear, tinted or even wild colors (my son had his done in Camo colors, swirled). They probably (don't hold me to this, it may vary) run around $75.00 per pair. Musician's can have special custom Musician's plugs made which are seated deeper in the ear and have various filters depending on what instrument they play. These are more expensive and usually run about $150.00 per pair.

I'm adding some links to websites (if I still remember how to do this)
www.musiciansclinics.com
www.earinc.com
www.earplugsonline.com/u-musicians.html
www.etymotic.com

Last time around, Maroons are nice had posted the following:Has anyone else already pointed out that you can now get ear plugs that glow in the dark? You can get green, pink, blue ... all the colours of the rainbow. They are usually sold at music supplies stores and are not expensive, plus you'll be the belle of the ball.

If all Maroon fans start wearing ear plugs to concerts from now on then we can look like the nerdiest fan base ever. Excellent.

Sounds like a plan to me!!
Guess you'll have to copy/paste or type in the links, sorry.

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

You guys are so right about people not protecting their hearing from a young enough age.
I found some good explainations of ringing in the ears along with animations at www.restoredhearing.com.
There's an application that lets you know what damage is being done in different areas of a concert venue too. I found it useful when convincing my friends to bring hearing protection to gigs. :)

Re: Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

 Shiny2 wrote:

How interesting how it mixes old and new sounds!<br /><br />I didn’t know this side, I think I’m going to have a browse…<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!<br />

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

LOVE!

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

^^very cool

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

How interesting how it mixes old and new sounds!

I didn’t know this side, I think I’m going to have a browse…

Thanks for sharing!

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

I once spent an entire day listening to just "This Love" and damn near made myself deaf too. I love it when a song does that too you. It changes your emotional state even if the lyrics are sad.

I got soooo obsessed with that song I started listening out for alternative versions (Natasha Beddingfields isn't isn't bad although she does over egg it a bit.

You gotta check out this version of "This Love" it kicks ass!
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=123706

Right I'm off to the gym to give myself tinnitus.

:-)

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

Skye, I, too, usually bring the expandables with me to hand out if anyone's interested. I have lots of custom made pairs, solid ones, filtered ones, ones on a cord so I can hang them around my neck when I'm not using them, but my favorite pair, by far, are the 'musician's plugs' with the 15dB filters. They have interchangeable filters depending on your needs (depends on the instrument you might be playing or other reason you're using them). They give the best frequency response and damping qualities so that you don't sacrifice the actual sound of the music. Costly, yes, probably about $150.00/pair and extra filters are another $40-60.00/pair. Naturally, I get a discount and these need to be custom fitted with a deep earmold impression taken by a professional (audiologist, hearing aid dispenser, or someone otherwise licensed and qualified), but they are well worth the comfort and sound, in my book!!

Awww, crap, there goes Mama on her soapbox again. This is one subject on which I'm passionate about. I think it was back in the chat we had with Mickey in 2006 when I asked him about ear protection (I know some of the guys use custom monitors), anyway, there was some kind of comment made that tinnitus and possible hearing loss comes with the territory and is part of the job. Horsehockies!!! That's old fashioned thinking. No one needs to suffer the slings and arrows of misfortunate noise/concert control (or lack thereof).

Okay, okay, I'll try to stop now...

Re: Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

 Mamamoots wrote:

. . . . Many times foamy-style earplugs are sold right there where they sell souvenirs.

Re: Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

 Mamamoots wrote:

Thanks for the nudge, Deb, but since this is pinned, it floats on the top, no matter what. Worries me that it won't get looked at because it doesn't move, though. Many times foamy-style earplugs are sold right there where they sell souvenirs.

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

Thanks for the nudge, Deb, but since this is pinned, it floats on the top, no matter what. Worries me that it won't get looked at because it doesn't move, though. Many times foamy-style earplugs are sold right there where they sell souvenirs.

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

bump , since the college tour is coming around, bumping this info of Mamaroots! Thanks mama! Im taking my son this time, so he will have plugs, probably glow in the dark.

Re: Maroon5 Ears thread for the New Board

Just some more cool ear info. I will start a thread for this since this thread is stickeed, it may get overlooked. I'm gonna check it out later when I'm at home.

Available on iTunes for 99 cents, uHear is a simple self-administered screening test to identify potential hearing loss through three assessments: Hearing Sensitivity, Speech in Noise and a Questionnaire about common listening situations. Unlike other hearing screenings, uHear is a sophisticated and comprehensive test with real-life results, calibrated to test actual hearing thresholds and calibrated for both ears. People can retake the test at different times to see if their hearing thresholds have temporarily shifted, such as after a rock concert, listening to a loud MP3 player, or following a head cold. uHear also offers a ‘Locate’ function to help find the nearest Hearing Health Care Professional for a full follow-up. Proceeds of uHear will be donated by Unitron to charities that support hearing loss awareness and education.

Yeahhh,,you´re so right mama...

That was an excellent post!!!! CONGRATULATIONS,,,you know something, i have mine,,,and they´re pink,,,so lovely,,,´cause i need them when i´m playing my guitar,,,but i made a hugeeeeeeee mistake,,,and don´t know why??maybe cause i was so excited about Maroon 5´s fist show in my country,,,i forgot them at home,,,and i paid for that next day as you too,,,i promise not to do that again,,,sometimes i wear them even when i´m just walking in the street cause the noises sometimes are so horrible in my city,,,and the best of wearing them is that you hear everything good....and i join myself to the plan,,ALL MAROON 5´S FAN WEARING EAR PLUGS!!!!!

tnks

good info to share.
M5 was here in Bogota, Colombia last thursday 11/20/08.. it was aawweesoome!
But, i really had my ears ringing after the concert for a while. It sttoped the next day, but it is important to keep safe our hearing... I will keep it in mind!

tnks!

Great Advice...

Mama.  I haven't been to a concert in years, but I can remember leaving several with the ringing in my ears.  I will definately be taking earplugs to both my shows!

Thanks!

Jones Beach Concert

I just saw M5 @ Jones Beach and they were absolutely awesome, no ear plugs for this chic!!!! I can't wait to see them again!!!!

M5 ear thread cont.

Thanks for all the great info, on hearing loss.
I have been listening to M5 almost 24/7 for the past 80 days to help me stop smoking 80 days smoke free. great, but now I have to worry about my hearing.

Saw the guys in Sydney, Australia. Lovvvved the concert.

UK people

If you want ear protection for free, most NHS hospitals I have worked for do take impressions for two types of earplug (ER15 and ER25 - in terms of decibels attentuation/reduction of sound). However we only do this for people that say they are musicians/DJs. The NHS can't afford to do this for everyone, but we should offer a service to those who can't afford to have ear plugs made privately.

So you didn't see me type this, but fib! Tell the ENT surgeon that you are within these at-risk occupations (you don't have to say you do it recreationally or for a living - that's none of their business) and say you are concerned about your hearing/tinnitus.

Us UK Audiologists will take impressions of your ears. It involves syringing a putty-like material into your ears... don't worry it's perfectly painless, just feels odd. We then send these 'casts' off to a manufacturer and a few weeks later they will be ready for collection or we can post them to you. They are easy to fit and I recommend you ask for the 25dB attenuation ones.

If you want ear plugs made privately, there is an excellent charity called the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, whose website is very informative about all sorts of deafness issues and they are currently running a campaign to promote the awareness of damage to hearing caused by noise. There are some manufacturers linked within the website.

Don't Lose the Music

thank you

This is an excellent post.  My father actually damaged his ear drum due to playing excessively loud music in his car.  Back during the 60's they really didn't use ear plugs because sound was not that big of an issue, however being young and inexperienced he put speakers inside of his car and would blast the music.  By the end of the year he busted his ear drum and to this very day his ears are extremely sensitive to sound.  He has to wear ear plugs at all times in order to prevent infection.  The doctors thought he would be deaf by age 50, however, he's managed to take proper care.  So, this is a very good reminder, thank you.

Kind of random...

I was at the gym yesterday, and my girlfriend was next to me.  She handed me her ipod to listen to a song that she wanted me to hear.  I plugged into that thing and it was cranked practically all the way!!!  I told her she had to turn it down.  I couldn't believe it.  If she listens to it like that everyday, she's going to do some serious damage.