[pianotech] Hearing Protection

[David Stocker]

A few months ago I read an article in MIX magazine (high end recording and 
concert sound reinforcement) where sound protection was discussed. It stated 
that the ear protects itself after hearing a loud noise by clamping down 
with the muscles around the bones in the inner ear. This prevents loud 
sounds from further damaging our hearing. However, it takes **twenty-four 
hours** for those muscles to let go and return hearing to normal. That is 
why everything sounds muffled after a rock concert or target shooting (or 
both, if you are Ted Nugent).

I wear custom made Westone musicians earplugs with a 9 db filter. Acoustic 
energy-wise it cuts the energy to around a third, it seems to me that the 
sound seems about half as loud. I explain to my customers it is like wearing 
sunglasses: your iris opens in order to give you greater focus. As my ear is 
relaxed, I feel I hear more details, not less.

If you have some upper end hearing loss, I suppose it could make it more 
difficult to hear high frequencies. Most of us will get there someday, I 
just hope I am putting that day off for a bit longer.

Dave Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA

--------------------------------------------------
From: <ljinno at googlemail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 06:38
To: <brhebert at verizon.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hearing Protection

> Blaine Hebert wrote "
> I wear them religiously when I tune and even when I drive and listen to
> the radio (it improves sound quality)".
> _______________
>
> Improve sound?  I have read posts about ear plugs, but assumed tuners who 
> use machines use them.    Is this a correct assumption? Is it not hard 
> enough to hear those treble frequencies without earplugs.
>
> Lee
>
>
> ------Original Message------
> From: Blaine Hebert
> Sender: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> ReplyTo: brhebert at verizon.net
> ReplyTo: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: [pianotech] Hearing Protection
> Sent: 5 Sep 2009 00:07
>
> When I developed permanent tinnitus (with only slight hearing loss) I
> became a serious devote of ear plugs.
>
> These are my favorite: 
> http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ultrafit25.html
>
> I wear them religiously when I tune and even when I drive and listen to
> the radio (it improves sound quality).  Unfortunately, being religious
> about this, most of my friends and relatives who also tune or play music
> tend to avoid me or change the topic when I start to preach.  I even
> have bought these in quantity to pass out for free and no one is
> interested.  The memories of my grandfather fighting with his hearing
> aids (while tuning) seem to have faded fast.
>
> A little hearing loss doesn't sound like a serious problem, but your
> hearing damage may come in the form of constant, painful screeching; not
> a pleasant consequence.
>
> Tuning is harmful to hearing!  Wear the plugs!
>
> Blaine Hebert
>
>
>