I had an audiogram done. I already need hearing aids.
Ooh... Sorry to hear that!! This is a topic that doesn't get the attention it should. Yes, I want it LOUD. Yes, it FEELS GOOD to hear my favorite Rock/Metal music LOUD... unfortunately, there are REAL repercussions that come from not protecting our eardrums from the noise!!!
Are you serious that you're about to have to get hearing aids??? Thankfully, our technology has advanced to the point of almost invisible ones, but I'm still sorry to hear that your hearing has been damaged Someone might want to whisper to you, while cuddling you, and you might end up being oblivious to it!
This is true ! I have had ringing in my ears for several yrs that won't go away. I can't stand the silence. Have to have background noise to drown it out.
I have bad tinnitus from way too many concerts without hearing protection. I hate silence now. Can't sleep without noise. Joining zoom meetings early (or on time) is torture if nobody is talking. I'll probably eventually get hearing aids. I had a 30 day eval of a pair that used an app to help with tinnitus. Worked ok, but 1) they are so expensive, and 2) the sound quality sucked if I wanted to play music through them.
A while back, I got a pair of custom molded filtered earplugs for musicians from an audiologist. They are so much better than the cheap foam earplugs. Nothing is muffled, just reduced. I think mine are made by Microsonic. Protect those ears.
I wish I had protected my ears during many concerts before as well. The constant ringing that never goes away really does suck. It's hard to have a conversation if there's too much noise or variety of sounds going on at the same time now and I have to ask people to repeat themselves. A noisy restaurant makes it hard if someone speaks softly.
I grew up going to really loud punk hardcore and metal shows in tiny venues with poor quality sound systems. Even did vocals for several. I don't think the thought of protective gear ever even entered my thoughts.
I never developed tinnitus thankfully. I have hearing aids ordered from Costco. They were $1,599 a pair. That's cheaper than the $5,000 the audiologist wanted to charge me. Most insurance plans don't cover hearing aids.
@Mike403
For future reference , Starkey Hearing Foundation provides financial assistance for hearing aides. I've made referrals to them before and there are some hoops to jump through as with any financial assistance service programs but in the future if you need anything hearing related it's worth looking into.
This topic makes me want to reach for my arthritis cream and chase kids off my lawn. lol
@Mike403 they don't? wow.
Sorry to hear that. I'm so bad about that myself. I've gone to tons of concerts and don't recall ever once wearing any. 😳 Don't see myself stopping any time soon, so perhaps I should start protecting myself.
Sorry to hear that Mike
Do you have an HSA or FSA because those mostly will cover your personal hearing aid purchase?
I have partial hearing loss from a childhood moto crash but HSA covers my devices since being an adult. But insurance did not cover it in my childhood.
Most festivals have nice ear plugs to buy if you forget 🤨 at 3 xs the cost. partial to Loop Exp 2 off Amazon are under 40$ and work well. Eargasms brand were mid.
Has anyone tried any other concert earplugs and recommend them?
I shoot a bunch of concerts from the pit by the subs and front fill speakers so hear protection is key. That said I have tinnitus from when I was a kid going to punk rock shows without hearing protection 🤦♂️
The two brands I keep buying are Earasers and Alpine’s MusicSafe Pro. The first one attenuates 19dB which is a good mid level attenuation and the Alpines have removable filters that swap out easy and they’re 16, 19, and 22 dB and I use that pair for quieter shows with the 16 level. And then if you don’t need a large drop in sound level but you just want to take the edge off of noisy environments, the brand Flare makes an ear sensitivity earplug called Calmer that doesn’t drop the level but attenuates the high frequencies only and makes things sound calmer haha! I use those in airports, busy city streets, conventions, restaurants, etc.
I like seeing this topic and a virtual hug for your (hearing) loss. It's so hard to lose things as life goes on. I love going out dancing, even Zumba class....and sadly this all takes it's toll. I will say that I sometimes see younger generations very seriious about attending loud events with ear plugs. It looks a little strange in the club, but good for them, they are taking more care. If your hearing isn't as sharp, focus on the feeling and being. Good luck with hearing aides!
What insurance do you have Mike? I have insurance that isn’t the greatest (United HC) and they cover 80% of the cost of hearing aids.
And did the audiologist tell you that or did you deep dive into your policy? These days you have to advocate for yourself.
@TheFunCartel - i have Select Health and I called and asked them. It's excellent for everything else. Zero co-pay for doctor visits and medication.
I'm lucky in that I got my hearing evaluated in my early 20s and learned about high-fidelity earplugs long before they got popular with Loops & Eargasm.
I've got auditory processing disorder, so I learned to read lips in crowds out of habit, and I tended to avoid overly noisy or loud environments without earplugs. As a dancer & musician it got painful during performances without those hi-fi earplugs to dampen sound. I was that "grandma" in undergrad putting in earplugs to go to the cafeteria 😅
I cannot recommend getting a good fitting pair of earplugs enough. You'd be surprised how much they can help in everyday situations, especially if you are neurodivergent. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones in transparency mode also work well, though aren't quite as protective to the particular ranges we tend to lose.
If you drive a lot, watch out for your driver's side ear - my dad is a truck driver and is deaf in his left ear from road noise.
@SunshineHug there's a ton of different high-fidelity earplugs out there marketed for concerts & musicians. Preference is going to be highly subjective though, as everyone's anatomy and protection needs are different.
For instance, I have very small (large child) sized ear canals that are oddly shaped and very sensitive. Most adult ear plugs and earbuds are super uncomfortable for me. For earbuds, I usually replace the stock silicone ones with extra small memory foam ones. Loops extra small earplug tips have been the most comfortable for me so far - the cone shaped ones don't usually work well for me. Eargasm came out with smaller ones since I last tried them, but I can't speak to their comfort.
@Mike403 Maybe they upped the hearing aid coverage after the last CEO didn’t hear it coming.
@cuddlefaery Thats me too!!! Small ear canals so I prefer the Loops.
None of your gen x or older!
The consequences of having no friends and not doing anything or going anywhere (except work).
I have the perpetual "ringing" and already know when I actually go for an eval it probably won't be good.
Walkman's turned up to max volume Being near the DJ speaker stacks at Jr High/,High School dances Unmuffled 2 stroke outboards in boatyards/dealerships/tech schools- Mercury, Evinrude/Johnson etc And high performance sport boats (Donzi/Baja/Fountain/OuterLimits/GMP- Hustler, etc) Concerts (I'm sure Suicidal Tendencies/Pantera/Metallica in 2 weeks in Charlotte won't help) Iron Maiden, Judas Priest/Sabaton, Alice Cooper, The Eagles, etc
Yup, I'm sure the above list has something to do with mine 👂🎧👂
I go out to raves and some years ago I went out to a rave without ear plugs and had ringing in my ears for three days. Never again.
Sorry to about the hearing aids not being covered @Mike403 I hate when ins companies do that 😒
I went to tons of raves and concerts in my younger days, and never wore any hearing protection 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
I still go to concerts but now whenever I go, I DEFINITELY wear something! 💆♀️ I went to an EDM concert recently and forgot them....and my ears rang for days! 😵💫🫨 I'll probably have to use hearing aids at some point....sounds like I should start saving now 🥴💰
When I was tested for the vocational rehab program to get a job. It was recommended to get a hearing test done because hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline and dementia because your brain has to work harder to process sound and fill in auditory gaps and that diverts resources away from thinking.
What about playing gigs (concerts) without hearing protection?
I have lost 90% hearing in my right ear and have tinitus in both. Rock and Roll!
I'm 'bout to go see BILLY IDOL and JOAN JETT!!! YAAAAAYYYYY!!! But after reading of @Mike403 's wisdom, I will be SURE to wear hearing protection!!!
This is a serious concern that it seems we weren't sufficiently warned about.. Thanks, @Mike403 , for the timely, NEEDED warning. I'm saddened to hear of your hearing loss
@SunshineHug You're still paying for the hearing aids with an FSA/HSA. You just get the tax savings with them.
I’ve worn hearing aids since my 30s and needed them since my late teens/early 20s. I have never had an insurance cover them and I’ve had insurances that were shit and ones that I would consider good. But I have known 1 person who has had it covered by insurance. It’s up to the company (if I recall) if they want to have that as a benefit on their insurance.
My most recent pair were almost $6000 and, as much as I hated to pay that, they’re worth it. Also, fun fact, with how quickly technology improves, they should be replaced every 3-4 years.
Fully agree on good musicians/concert earplugs, save your hearing while keeping things sounding good. I use both Etymotic ER20XS (better quality sound and quiets things more) and Loop Experience 2 (sound quality a little lower, cuts sound less, but more comfortable). I keep them in the car most of the time just in case I end up at a noisy place
What??? Can you type a little louder please!
