ear plugs

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ear plugs

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rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

ear plugs

I read that guitar is not loud enough to damage you ear, even according to the site I am pointing you to. But even if just at home, I play a lot of guitar and my guitar is loud, add to that the bounce back from the walls... so I decided to not take any chances. On top of that, sometimes, when I'm tired, I end up with my head bent forward so my right ear gets it even louder.

So I got a pair of these, I got them from ebay for $11 with shipping. and they cut the sound just enough. If I play soft, then I don't use them.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.html

I went to a dance class a couple of times and man I couldn't believe how loud the footwork gets and nobody had ear protection. Wild. When you find out you're losing it, it's too late. I mention it because it happens. And for a musician, it's an even sadder thing.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 0:50:07

cRobson12

Posts: 288
Joined: Dec. 8 2010

RE: ear plugs (in reply to rogeliocan)

Personally I wouldn't worry about hearing damage while playing flamenco guitar. The minimum decibels its takes to damage hearing is 90 decibels at which you have to be exposed to for about 6 hours to damage your hearing permanently. If that doesn't mean anything to you 90 decibels as about as loud as a passing motor cycle, a load yell, or screaming. And a sound levle of 100 decibels can damage hearing permanently in about one hour, which is as loud as an average jack hammer (in retrospect) In comparison a vacuum cleaner has a decibel level of about 70. I would understand if you are at a rock concert or playing a live gig with an electric guitar where the decibel level is usually at a minimum of 110. So there is really nothing to worry about unless you are amplifying your guitar

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 1:00:47

Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009

RE: ear plugs (in reply to cRobson12)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cRobson12

Personally I wouldn't worry about hearing damage while playing flamenco guitar. The minimum decibels its takes to damage hearing is 90 decibels at which you have to be exposed to for about 6 hours to damage your hearing permanently. If that doesn't mean anything to you 90 decibels as about as loud as a passing motor cycle, a load yell, or screaming. And a sound levle of 100 decibels can damage hearing permanently in about one hour, which is as loud as an average jack hammer (in retrospect) In comparison a vacuum cleaner has a decibel level of about 70. I would understand if you are at a rock concert or playing a live gig with an electric guitar where the decibel level is usually at a minimum of 110. So there is really nothing to worry about unless you are amplifying your guitar

You arent addressing the volume of the dancers' golpes. Ive accompanied a group of dancers as few as 4, and really was wishing I had earplugs.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 1:55:11

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: ear plugs (in reply to rogeliocan)

good statistics, crobson!

i dont think flamenco guitars by themselves are dangerous.

but definitely dancers, especially male dancers.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 3:18:18

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: ear plugs (in reply to rogeliocan)

Dance classes, in a reflective space will absolutely mess up your hearing eventually.

Earplugs are smart, all the way round. Better safe than sorry.

I have mild tinitis, and it doesnt take a whole lot to get them ringing.
It certainly doesnt take 90db for 6 hours. Hell, just the vaccum cleaner will
get my ears ringing.

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 3:38:20

rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

RE: ear plugs (in reply to cRobson12)

I understand that, and even the stats of Etimotic explain this. But it's playing in front of the mirror that made me want a pair. It was too loud for me so putting these on is like turning down the volume. It just gets more comfortable. Plus I was telling myself that if I find it`s too loud, it can't be a good thing.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 10:02:18

Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009

RE: ear plugs (in reply to rogeliocan)

Its always a good idea to protect your hearing.

Dont play quieter during practice for the sake of your ears. Loud playing keeps your hands strong.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 14:30:12

Ricardo

Posts: 14828
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: ear plugs (in reply to rogeliocan)

god forbid you get sound ports for your guitar!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 14:55:57

chapman_g

Posts: 227
Joined: Apr. 11 2007

RE: ear plugs (in reply to Chiste de Gales)

Just want to clarify we are talking about unamplified nylon string guitar here right? In which case I would rather be sorry than safe.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 15:12:38

rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

RE: ear plugs (in reply to chapman_g)

unamplified guitar.

I wish I had a device to measure sound levels, maybe I can buy one at Canadian Tire and return it, I'd be curious to know just how loud I get.

But I found this which is not about danger to hearing but about questionning if a sound port affects front projection.
Granted it's an acoustic guitar but with the percussive nature of flamenco I'm sure it gets up there.

http://www.mcknightguitars.com/soundports.html

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 9 2010 18:49:20

a_arnold

Posts: 558
Joined: Jul. 30 2006

RE: ear plugs (in reply to ToddK)

quote:

Dance classes, in a reflective space will absolutely mess up your hearing eventually.

Not to mention castanets in a reflective space.. I have to leave the studio.

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"Flamenco is so emotionally direct that a trained classical musician would require many years of highly disciplined formal study to fail to understand it."

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2011 19:06:31

CarloJuan

Posts: 169
Joined: Sep. 19 2010
From: Philippines

RE: ear plugs (in reply to rogeliocan)

On the contrary, would it be possible to improve the volume of your playing by getting used to having ear plugs?

I have known that Beethoven used to SMASH the piano keys so hard to the point of destruction at the end of a concert cause he basically was so deaf.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 3 2011 13:08:01