MUST READ: A gentle reminder...

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited January 2012 in The Clubhouse
Take it from me, the next time you go to a concert--regardless of the venue--bring hearing protection. I'm beginning to wish I could have about 2hrs of my life back following the Heart/Def Leppard Concert I attended in Vegas back in September. I'm being DEAD serious guys & gals. I think it has done some serious damage to my already bad hearing--and for me, to be quite honest, it's heart breaking. I figured a Vegas show would be fairly well regulated, and honestly the last couple of concerts I went to were all outdoors, and not very obnoxius. This particular concert was BY FAR the loudest concert I have ever attended, and now I'm paying a dear price for forgetting hearing protection---it just never crossed my mind to do so.

I also will have to refrain from entertaining any ideas of doing equipment reviews, because I cannot possibly judge equipment well at this point.

PLEASE listen to me on this. :sad:
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2012
    I hear ya Steve :lol:

    In all honesty, I attended a Dream Theater concert 2 years ago. Loudest show I've ever been too. My hearing was messed up for 2 FULL days. It finally came back to normal. I RARELY attend concerts but I've learned that something like the DT show has assured me that I should consider bringing JUST IN CASE the venue has plans to exceed an outrageous db level.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
    My sympathies, I'm in the same boat as you, I've been aboard since August 15th 1969 !:sad:
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited January 2012
    It's so nice to be able to walk out of a concert, pull out the ear plugs and be able to resume life as usual, without the residual effects of hearing loss for the next few days...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2012
    Had I been using my damn head, I would have stuffed a couple of cig butts in me and Bev's ears, but again--I didn't think much about it at the time. I just didn't even begin to imagine the music would be that loud. It was insane.

    It's been 3 months now, and although my hearing has recovered some--I definitely took a substantial "hit."
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2012
    i've been to over 50 concerts and i think I only forgot ear protection one time.. luckily it was Natalie Cole and wasn't loud..

    Steve, sorry man.. keep some ear protection in your rig next time man.. once your hearing is compromised from loudness, you don't get it back.. hearing damage may not heal itself.. it does permenant damage to your hearing.

    sorry bro.. go get your ears checked and a hearing test from your DR.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,079
    edited January 2012
    Hate to hear that Steve...Hang in there and thanks for the good advice.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2012
    It's not "I can't tell an MP3 from a CD" bad, but I can definitely detect a veiling in the high freq's that wasn't there before; and my already mild tinnitus is a little worse.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2012
    That's why I rarely go to live shows anymore. Why do live shows have to be so loud? Loud doesn't equal good. Are the typical sound crew people for live shows just idiots that don't know how to make it sound good at lower levels? It's just not right.

    And for those about to bring up age, I haven't liked loud concerts, loud exhausts, etc. since I was a teenager. Too many loud things on the typical farm for loud anything to be enjoyable.
    DKG999
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    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2012
    I don't know. I felt it ruined an otherwise good performance as EVERYTHING was distorted horribly. Even when Ann Wilson did her solo/unaccompanied vocal of "Alone" it was so incredibly loud and shrill, it was almost unlistenable. They could have backed that gain down 40%, and it would have been plenty loud.

    Vegas is usually top-notch when it comes to putting on a quality show that is (almost) always focused on quality and not quantity.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2012
    dkg999 wrote: »
    And for those about to bring up age, I haven't liked loud concerts, loud exhausts, etc. since I was a teenager. Too many loud things on the typical farm for loud anything to be enjoyable.

    Loud pipes save lives... just sayin' :wink:
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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited January 2012
    I went to Heart last year and felt it was way too loud as well. My head rung for days after. I wouldn't go see them again, and I love Heart.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,957
    edited January 2012
    I've had some hearing loss but mostly due to work related issues. Heavy construction equipment, saws in enclosed spaces, and so on. Yeah, stupid I know.
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  • scottyboy76
    scottyboy76 Posts: 2,905
    edited January 2012
    that sucks hard, i hope it does come back, thats a hell of a thing to have that veil when you walk out of a concert and back to regular life.

    We used to think it was funny, never thinking it was anything permanent.

    I seem to have heard that more often than people think, hearing can recover, heres hoping thats true in your case.
    humpty dumpty was pushed
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    Loud pipes save lives... just sayin' :wink:

    Except for when they startle an elderly driver who loses control and your friend's GF gets killed in the resulting accident. Loud pipes are just stupid.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,957
    edited January 2012
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Loud pipes are just stupid.

    Amen to that Doug.
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,155
    edited January 2012
    We did the Heart/Def concert here in Auburn, I was deaf the whole next day, Damn great concert but man it was loud and we were 12 rows back.

    Never again.


    Foreigner at the Key was the highlight of the summer not so much for Journey.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,508
    edited January 2012
    Loud pipes are just stupid.
    Amen to that Doug.

    I'll second that Amen!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited January 2012
    I wish I'd heeded the warnings years ago....but alas, all for not, I thought I was invinceble hehehe, NOT!!!

    Years of going to Drag races, NASCAR races big thumpin' V-8's with no mufflers has lead to damage....I can stilll hear a nice hit on a high hat cymbal tho WooHoo!!, protect your hearing, when it's gone it's gone....
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,957
    edited January 2012
    stuwee wrote: »
    I wish I'd heeded the warnings years ago....but alas, all for not, I thought I was invinceble hehehe, NOT!!!

    Years of going to Drag races, NASCAR races big thumpin' V-8's with no mufflers has lead to damage....I can stilll hear a nice hit on a high hat cymbal tho WooHoo!!, protect your hearing, when it's gone it's gone....

    That was our generation of being stupid.

    This generation.....I see everyone walking around with buds in their ears and think to myself....just wait.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,052
    edited January 2012
    I have found most large-venue rock concerts are too loud and sound like crap...maybe I am getting old.
    We were bowling the other day and the muzac was cranked way too loud for me....dont get it.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    Motorcycles, handguns, indoor saws for years, being in bands, going to concerts, blasting my 2-channel system, have all contributed... but I feel like my hearing is still good. Maybe I should get checked?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited January 2012
    I got one of my headphone amps from a well respected Head-fi member.
    He had developed Tinnitus. He had headphones and listened at work all day long.
    WARNING, when listened to headphones, set the volume to what you think sounds good.
    THEN turn it down a notch. You will adjust to the lower volume just fine with no
    loss of enjoyment. If not, after about half on hour you will notice a bit of discomfort.
    That's your ears warning you. continue, and things will turn ugly.

    In the speaker world, really loud levels causes a bit of numbness, which often causes the listener to
    crank it up some more. This effect normally involves booze. This often ends with a police visit,
    a bad hangover, a blown tweeter, and at over the long haul, loss of hearing, loss of spouse,
    and the growing of a mullet. This is to be avoided at all costs.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    ...This often ends with a police visit,
    a bad hangover, a blown tweeter, and over the long haul, loss of hearing, loss of spouse,
    and the growing of a mullet. This is to be avoided at all costs.

    :lol:lol.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited January 2012
    I'm 26, but spent a good decade of my life sitting behind a drum set with out hearing protection. Most times it was several times a week. I too feel like my hearing isn't bad but I'm 100% that some damage has been done.

    Protect yo'self!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2012
    I should have worded my comment a bit better. Didn't expect the guilt feeling response to follow.

    FYI, I can't stand ricer **** cannons and straight harley pipes either but meh... Back to the topic.

    Edit: I also find the music sounds louder at the same volume when not sober. However, people with common sense will leave the dial alone and not keep increasing it.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Motorcycles, handguns, indoor saws for years, being in bands, going to concerts, blasting my 2-channel system, have all contributed... but I feel like my hearing is still good. Maybe I should get checked?

    The problem is, as has been mentioned, it is cumulative. One day you are fine, but, for whatever reason, something happens that pushes the ear over the edge, and the next day you wake up with ringing in an ear.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
    tonyb wrote: »
    Amen to that Doug.

    Freight train-like air horns with their own little compressor are a much better warning system on a motorcycle and can be added cheaply with a weight of approx 2 pounds. You wanna' talk decibels ? :eek::mrgreen:

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/enF0m6J7g2w&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2012
    I love those train horn videos. I've contemplated putting a setup on my ride because it's pure sleeper :)
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited January 2012
    Had a guitar teacher starting when I was about 10 that was a total **** about this- stuck with the habit of protecting my ears and it's paid off. Good to remind everyone.
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2012
    Pay attention to Steves warning. My hearing has been toast for years,had to finally purchase hearing aids about five ago,just to be able to carry on a conversation.

    My hearing loss started years ago in the 60's and 70's when I was a young man. Too many load concerts and too much other noise abuse. Back then "hearing protection" was almost unheard of...no pun intended.

    It's a **** to try and listen to music now,have to remove the aids as they have such a digital sound to them,then I can't hear much but the lower octaves unless I turn things up...

    Ear plugs are a lot like condems,don't leave home without em'
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