Have You Used Ear Plugs At Concerts ?

[rube]

Have you used ear plugs at a concert?  If so leave a comment about the experince and who it was.  Has anyone used them during a GNR Show?   

Not every show I have been to have I brought or needed to use ear plugs.  Recently I saw The Cult and I had forgot to bring some earplugs, it was so loud that it did not sound good and it wasn't as nearly enoyable as it could have been had I used earplugs (or if Matt Sourum was behind the kit).

I'm sure if you have been to a show or heard of someone say "It sounded like I was in a tin can", or "I couldn't hear over all the noise (screaming, too much treble, etc.) or "what? I'can't hear my ears a re ringing and they hurt". 

Wearing a normal foam earplug cancels out those sounds and you won't have a "ring" in your ears.

What it doesn't do, is make everything silent. In fact you hear MORE of the music, less of the drunk behind you.

My first concert wearing earplugs was a Megadeth / Suicidal Tendecie concert and man did they sound like crap with out them.

Concerts that I'v seen in the recent years where the earplugs came in handy have been:

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Coldplay
AFI
Plain White T's
U2
GNR

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1063

http://scottppatterson.blogspot.com

http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/earplugs92905/home.html

[Wicked Demon]

GNR Hammerstein. I was very surprised about how loud Bullet for My Valentine came out and played. I had plugs in by the time GNR hit.

I use them all the time for metal and punk shows. If anything, it drowns out the crowd and makes it easier to hear the band. these typically aren't concert halls, so you aren't going to miss out on the quirks of the acoustic fingerprint of the facility or anything.

edit: I see you made that point about drowning out the drunks already...

[anythinggoes]

When i was in Baltimore there was some prick in front of me kept putting his fingers in his ears because it was to loud i mean what the fuck we were at the front of Genaral access and you have you fingers in your fucking ears if you can take it go to the back and watch the show you surely cant be enjoying the show doing that Yeah its loud its a fucking concert it will be loud. what with him and the dick he stood next to me just looking miserable not singing along not jumping not even clapping i really could of let rip but the good inside of me prevailed and anyho they played down on the Farm and i had to concentrate on recording that, sorry i think this whole post is on topic

[Death Cube K]

I had them in Oslo but during WTTJ i took them off because the sound wasnt loud from where i was standing at all. I used it during Black Sabbath...they played fucking loud. I bet most of the GNR sound went over me..because I was infront.

[BD888]

I use them at any concert that is loud enough to hurt my ears.  I once went to a Metallica Concert in '91 or '92, I was about about 10 people from the stage, right in the middle the whole concert, and when I came out of the arena, I couldn't hear anything but ringing.  People would shout at me, and I couldn't hear them at all. 

Recently I have worn ear plugs at the following shows:

Guns N' Roses
Velvet Revolver
Jane's Addiction
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers
The Prodigy
The Chemical Brothers
The Orb

I didn't wear them at:

The Who
The Rolling Stones
Morcheeba

[BangoSkank]

People who are deaf in one ear have it the worst... my friend had to put them in at a Dave Matthews concert because it was too much for her only good ear.

[PigeonOfSh!tMetal]

I go unprotected.

[deadflowerII]

only shows with a harmonica....black cows , blues traveller....etc.

[Luigi]

I defiantly got to wear plugs no matter what, it makes things sound so much better plus after the show your ears don't ring forever! 

[AxlsMainMan]

I go unprotected.

To a Guns N' Roses show, I sure do.

[deadflowerII]

cows=crowes.....

[brimatner]

Never had, but should have worn them when I saw AC/DC.  Ears were ringing for almost 14 days after the show.  No joke.

[GeorgeSteele]

I saw 2 GNR shows at Hammerstein in May. ?First without ear plugs, second with. ?Plenty of pros and cons, but the worst thing about the ear plugs - I heard myself sing. ?For that reason alone, I'll never do it again.

[Bodhi]

thats true about hearing yourself sing, i wore them at the show in jersey, which was great cause i was in the front row next to one of the speakers the dj was playiing out of,,fuckin loud,,,bach was loud as hell too....i started wearing ear plugs after seeing Black label Soiety several times, my head almost exploded

[dallasgel]

I've been to well over 30 shows in the last couple years and I never go without plugs.  It just ain't worth the ringing ears for days afterward and the likely loss of hearing when I'm older.

[mega_music]

I didnt take earplugs with me to the Cleveland show, but I wish I would of. I was front row right in front of one of the speaker stacks to the left of the stage. It didnt seem to bother me but after the show the ride home, I felt like I was saying what every other word, while my g\f was talking to me. My ears finally stopped ringing but the day after was also miserable. I felt like an old person talking so loud and having muffled hearing. My G\F also had an ear ache in one of her ears for a few days after the show. No matter how cool you think you are not wearing ear plugs, be smart its not worth the pain and suffering hearing loss by watching a 2 hour concert.

[echrisl]

I typically wear ear plugs for shows, and did so when I saw GNR.

I forgot them once when I went to see Megadeth playing in a club, and I could hear ringing for at least three days afterward ...

[Lucky]

where do you get those?

[TrixAreForKids]

I had ear plugs in when 'Bullet for my Valentine' opened for GnR' at the Hammerstein. At the time I wish I had some rope or a gun.

[freedom78]

I haven't, but can see the benefits after Motley Crue in February and RHCP during their tour for "One Hot Minute" (you know...back before they sucked).  Crue was so fuckin' loud that you could hardly decipher anything.  I appreciate loud...but I'd rather hear the show than be impressed by the amount of sound you can create.

[guscouto]

wow!!
here in brazil i never heard about anyone that uses earplugs at shows... maybe is because the best shows are at football stadiums and therefore the sound is lower.... but i went to Silverchair, Premiata Forneria Marconi (progressive rock, italian band), Pitty (brazilian band that played Rock in Rio 4) concerts in a small hall we have here in Sao Paulo and had no problems with my ear ... i guess the sound must be much louder in North american shows! My friend is studying in Boston and went to one of GN'R shows and said the sound is unbelievable ... i envy you guys! ? I wish i could see Guns n' Roses in a small hall and compain the sound is too loud! ? In football stadiums the usual complaint is that the sound is too low !!

Anyway, can someone post a link so i can see what earplugs do you use ?? I want to see how it works for me... thanks

[Adam_Guill]

never go to a dave matthews band concert without good earplugs. otherwise you run the risk of listening to their music


the more you know

[BurningHills]

Why is this still in the main GN'R section? It has nothing to do with the band...

[RIFF-RAFF]

Have you used ear plugs at a concert?? If so leave a comment about the experince and who it was.? Has anyone used them during a GNR Show?? ?

Not every show I have been to have I brought or needed to use ear plugs.? Recently I saw The Cult and I had forgot to bring some earplugs, it was so loud that it did not sound good and it wasn't as nearly enoyable as it could have been had I used earplugs (or if Matt Sourum was behind the kit).

I'm sure if you have been to a show or heard of someone say "It sounded like I was in a tin can", or "I couldn't hear over all the noise (screaming, too much treble, etc.) or "what? I'can't hear my ears a re ringing and they hurt".?

Wearing a normal foam earplug cancels out those sounds and you won't have a "ring" in your ears.

What it doesn't do, is make everything silent. In fact you hear MORE of the music, less of the drunk behind you.

My first concert wearing earplugs was a Megadeth / Suicidal Tendecie concert and man did they sound like crap with out them.

Concerts that I'v seen in the recent years where the earplugs came in handy have been:

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Coldplay
AFI
Plain White T's
U2
GNR

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1063

http://scottppatterson.blogspot.com

http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/earplugs92905/home.html

Why did you go to an AFI concert

[Malcolm]

Im guessing this is probably a Bad Obsession topic, But ive never worn earplugs to concerts before, Ive wanted to a few times but decided not to because I've never seen anyone do it before...I might next time though

Edit: As i suspected this shouldve been in Bad Obsession

[CheapJon]

No

[Krispy Kreme]

Yeah, at VR 1st time  (we were 2nd row  in front of speakers). But  the plugs  were  annoying so I took them out. Enjoyed the hell out of the show after that.

[Cornell]

I have gone to 100's of shows and never wore them - everyone told me I was crazy because I was always in the front.  Black Sabbath, Motley Crue, GNR... even sat on the stage leaning against the speakers for one AC/DC show.  I used them when I took my son to see Def Leppard because we were in the front and was young and I was amazed at how much clearer you could hear.

[BangoSkank]

Have you used ear plugs at a concert?? If so leave a comment about the experince and who it was.? Has anyone used them during a GNR Show?? ?

Not every show I have been to have I brought or needed to use ear plugs.? Recently I saw The Cult and I had forgot to bring some earplugs, it was so loud that it did not sound good and it wasn't as nearly enoyable as it could have been had I used earplugs (or if Matt Sourum was behind the kit).

I'm sure if you have been to a show or heard of someone say "It sounded like I was in a tin can", or "I couldn't hear over all the noise (screaming, too much treble, etc.) or "what? I'can't hear my ears a re ringing and they hurt".?

Wearing a normal foam earplug cancels out those sounds and you won't have a "ring" in your ears.

What it doesn't do, is make everything silent. In fact you hear MORE of the music, less of the drunk behind you.

My first concert wearing earplugs was a Megadeth / Suicidal Tendecie concert and man did they sound like crap with out them.

Concerts that I'v seen in the recent years where the earplugs came in handy have been:

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Coldplay
AFI
Plain White T's
U2
GNR

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1063

http://scottppatterson.blogspot.com

http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/earplugs92905/home.html

Why did you go to an AFI concert

hahaha did they die off?

[babydolls]

never have - though regretted it when i saw Velvet revolver last year - slash hitting the high solo in Crackerman - dear god!? i was deaf in one ear for 3 days straight - that guy plays LOUD!
my friend swears by them - but I never have - I want to hear the full sound and move around the floor if its not good where I'm standing.

probably will do in the future if the ringing gets worse.

cant imagine U2 gig needing earplugs... actually, could be much better that way - haha!

[CheapJon]

No

and i'm not gonna at the concert i'm attending tonight either

[Izzy]

Used to go without earplugs - my hearing is still damaged from it

I always wear them now, they reduce the damage, and u can hear things so much better

Even with ear plus the gig is too loud

Dont know why bands do it - and as its proven exposure to 110 decibels for more than 15 mins damages your hearing - surely the band can be sued? No disclaimers were involved in purchase.

[CheapJon]

surely the band can be sued?

but it's kinda hard to prove that the damage came from the specific show aint it

[Neemo]

well after going to see VR i lost full range of hearing for about a week and it was pretty scary so the next show i attended (dream theatre/megadeth) i brought some....but good god...the sound was terrible so i took them out, they were all that loud anyway so it's all good, the loudest concert i've ever been to is VR, it was insanely loud the PA cut out, and i've been to some pretty heavy duty concerts too, including pantera...nobody was near loud as VR...just a warning

[Bodhi]

I haven't, but can see the benefits after Motley Crue in February and RHCP during their tour for "One Hot Minute" (you know...back before they sucked).? Crue was so fuckin' loud that you could hardly decipher anything.? I appreciate loud...but I'd rather hear the show than be impressed by the amount of sound you can create.

actually "One Hot Minute" was the only point in time The Chili Peppers DID suck....everything else has been way better...Dave Navarro was a terrible fit for them...

[estranged88]

Ear plugs are for pussies.  I was in the front row of a ManOwaR concert and i didn't  use ear plugs, that should be reason enough for no one to ever use ear plugs.

[D]

HOw do u people wear earplugs at concerts?

I put some in once at a KISS concert but it drowned out all the treble and my heart felt like it was gonna explode.

Ear plugs in my opinion ruin the concert experience cause it fucks with the quality of the music.

[Skeletor]

actually "One Hot Minute" was the only point in time The Chili Peppers DID suck....everything else has been way better...Dave Navarro was a terrible fit for them...

Actually, everything after One Hot Minute has been soulless pop shit. Californication is probably in the top 5 worst albums I own.

Ear plugs are for pussies.  I was in the front row of a ManOwaR concert and i didn't  use ear plugs, that should be reason enough for no one to ever use ear plugs.

Heh, I'm surprised you're still able to hear anything... Those guys play pretty loud, I remember one reviewer who complained about it and observed that as he went to the bathroom during the gig, the toilets were shaking up and down because of the music. I've seen them once too, but didn't notice the excessively loud volume because I was wearing plugs.

And yeah, I usually wear them, but there are exceptions; one time I was drunk at a club watching Amorphis and didn't bother to get the plugs out - my ears rang for a month.

[Chief]

I bought earplugs that only filter out harmful frequencies from a guitar store. those are much better than the normal foam ones because they protect your hearing better and you can hear things much clearer with them.
Most of the time its always better with these plugs in, except for acoustic shows.  I want to be able to hear for a long time so i always wear them to protect my ears (which have already been damaged!)

mine are similar to these:
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

[WhiteRose]

Yeah, that ringing sound you hear after attending a loud concert... that's actually an indication that some amount of permanent hearing damage has occurred.  So, for those of you who feel compelled (for whatever reason) to attend loud concerts without earplugs... I would strongly recommend that you reconsider.

Personally, I always take a pair of soft foam earplugs with me (even if I don't expect to use them) to every show that I attend.  If the music is too loud or if the sound mix isn't clean... I simply put them in and they work wonders.   

Not only will they protect your hearing and ensure your ability to enjoy music for many years to come... but they can even filter out the sonic sludge of a really bad sound mix. 

If you're a music lover, you need to take care of your ears and they'll take care of you. 

Cheers,
W.R. 


For more information about the risks of hearing loss: http://www.american-hearing.org/disorders/hearing/tinnitus.html 

[Gunner80]

Never go without. Don't care to get Tinnitus.

[rube]

Ear plugs are for pussies.  I was in the front row of a ManOwaR concert and i didn't  use ear plugs, that should be reason enough for no one to ever use ear plugs.

All the performers you go to see ARE wearing earplugs them selves.

[T_Roxie]

I also saw the cult and they were fucking loud (standing right in front was a bad idea!).  Im bringing ear plugs if i see them again.  GnR were nowhere NEAR that loud.

[rube]

Why did you go to an AFI concert

because I like AFI.  Don't worry man I'm sure Axl's doesn't like everything you like either.

[Malcolm]

I keep meaning to take them...But I get a huge rush from the loudness lol

[stolat]

I go commando!

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Yeah, but sometimes I forget.

I hate it when my ears are ringing for a couple of days after a show.

[Butch Français]

I always use earplugs now when I go to indoor concerts, I just hear the music so much better and less screeching sounds and less ear problems.
lately Ive seen +44 and M?tley Cr?e, and I used earplugs for both, the experience was incredible both times!

[2112]

Always earplugs.

Highpitched imagined sounds ain't my style.

[stolat]

Earplugs! Hah, I had a supercar with a huge donk go its hardest right infront of me. Don't know why people started covering their ears, even the blokes! It had such a cool deep bassy rumble.....

[Journeyman]

Never used ear plugs at concerts. I like to have that feeling in my ears for like 2 days after the gig