Here is a very interesting article (from Minneapolis-based music website, Perfect Porridge) about wearing earplugs to live shows, and whether the pros of earplugs (saving your hearing) outweigh the cons (being a tool). From the tone of the article, it seems that the stigma of wearing earplugs is not what it used to be, primarily for two reasons: (1) there are enough health-conscious people doing it to where seeing someone in earplugs is not such a rarity, and (2) modern, well-designed earplugs apparently can lower volume while maintaining, or even enhancing, sound quality (by not cutting out the high and low frequencies). Here is a web page of various earplug types, ranging from simple one-size-fits-all versions to those that are customized and shaped by an audiologist for an individual's ears.I've been more conscious about my hearing lately (my sensei's advice), so I've been giving some thought to wearing earplugs at rock shows (or at least bringing some with me and then making a game-time decision). Sensei also says that I should think about wearing a condom when I ride the bus. Sensei is so wise. They say he has the strength of a lion and the heart of a wild pony!
5 comments:
Is "sensei" spanish for "gwen" ?
Since I wrote that 2 years ago I've brought my Hearos earplugs to every show I've been to. I don't know if it's a Minneapolis-specific thing, but I would say the majority of folks in the small-to-mid-range venue audiences are all wearing plugs. It's almost uncool not to have them (what?). They won't bring my lost hearing back, but they sure won't make it worse!
No, Gwen can't do ka-ra-teh for crap. Gwen does agree about the condom-on-the-bus thing, though.
Porridge, thanks for your post. Love your site.
I can too do ka-ra-teh. You just haven't seen it. I vote 'yes' on the earplugs so we'll be able to hear each other for many more years.
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