"pounding"

[Todd & Kim Mapes]

I recently checked into the Westone Musician's plugs and my audiologist
suggested getting the ready-fit version (as opposed to the custom fit version)
as a trial run.  The ready-fit version only costs $15/pair, while the custom
fit plugs cost $90-110, depending on db rating.  The $15/pair jobs are rated
at 20db ($0.75/db?) and are model ER-20 High Fidelity Earplugs, and are
marketed as a "low-cost ready-fit version of the custom Musician's Earplugs
(ER-15's)."

"David M. Porritt" wrote:

> List:
>
> While "pounding" on pianos, the pain (discomfort?) you feel, or the weird
> sounds generated in your ears is a result of the stapiedial reflex in the
> ear.  The muscles around the auditory canal are trying to protect your ear
> from loud noises.  During a complete audiological test, they will measure
> to see at what volume this reflex occurs.  It's usually 85 db or higher.
> This is your body telling you "it's too loud!"  This is the best part of
> using the musicians ear plugs.  All sound is kept below the stapiedial
> reflex trigger point.  You hear the sound better before it dies away.
>
> I'm not an audiologist, I just keep mine handy.  I'm too old to learn
> another profession.  Calculate the cost of these hearing protectors as a
> percentage of your annual income if your calculator will generate that
> small a number.
>
> dave
>
> David M. Porritt
> dporritt@swbell.net
> Meadows School of the Arts
> Southern Methodist University
> Dallas, TX 75275