TScottHilton - Posted - 07/04/2024:  20:12:10

I try to take good care of my hearing. I developed tinnitus at a pretty young age, and I want to still be able to enjoy playing and listening to the banjo even as I get up in age. I wear high fidelity ear plugs when I practice or jam in loud settings. I also always wear heavy duty foam ear plugs when I go to concerts.

Last night I went to a concert and had my ear plugs in like usual. I was maybe 20 feet from the stage. The mids and treble were comfortable with the plugs in, but the bass frequency was uncomfortably strong. It vibrated heavily in my head and chest. That type of bass frequency is just going to vibrate through you whether or not you have ear protection. I wish in the moment I had moved back. Today my hearing seems a little off, and my tinnitus is more noticeable.

I wonder if you all have ever had similar experiences or any advice? Hopefully my ears will go back to normal in the next couple of days. I just feel foolish for not moving back, and I'm kicking myself for not doing better. I usually take every precaution with my ears.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/09/2024:  14:23:25

A lot of concert sound types think it's necessary to blast the audience with too loud sound. I've never figured out why.

I recently went to a concert by the Oak Ridge Boys and they had the audio so loud it actually hurt my ears. I wasn't on the ground floor near the band, I was way up on the third tier and the music just boomed out. I actually ended up with one bad headache and would have left early except I was being taken there by my daughter and her husband.

After a couple of days, my ears did get back to normal and I hope yours do, too.

I will never again go to a concert by any band as I understand all are loud like that.

I'll just go to the good old bluegrass festivals where they don't try to blast the audience out of their seats.

reubenstump - Posted - 07/09/2024:  14:45:33

Surprisingly, the best band I've found for reasonable volume has been the Rolling Stones. Of course, it can vary by venue and crew, but Steve Earle was a bit too loud, and don't even ask about Dick Dale.

TScottHilton - Posted - 07/09/2024:  17:18:56

I used to know an older gentleman who was the drummer in a band that opened for Dick Dale and the Deltones for a few shows. I hadn't heard the name in forever.

Thanks Sherry. Almost a week later and my ears feel ok, but my tinnitus is still louder than before. But I'm told it can take a while for a spike in tinnitus to return to normal. Hopefully it does in time.

Eastbaygeorge - Posted - 07/09/2024:  22:29:05

You can't always trust even bluegrass festivals. A few years ago Dailey & Vincent played Grass Valley, brought their own sound man, and played so loud it violated the fairgrounds contractual noise limit.

monstertone - Posted - 07/10/2024:  09:09:44

Low frequency (bass) sound waves resonate for much longer distances than do the higher frequencies. Marching bands typically have one bass drum and two Sousaphones, versus maybe six or seven of each of the higher-pitched instruments.