 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robert Moody
Date: 2005-03-16 20:44
Quote:
The researchers found that the noise exposure of players of all of the instrument groups fell below acceptable 85 dBA (noise exposure level measured in decibels – dB, corrected to the frequency response of the human ear – A) for an eight-hour day recommended by institutions such as the U.S. National Institute of Safety and Health, the International Standard Organization (ISO) and also included in the Canadian Standards Association.
Ya know, that may be true, but I would not doubt that the levels experienced during the periods of rehearsing DO exceed the safe limit as outlined by knowledgeable hearing specialists. I would not doubt that the researchers took the levels experienced over the short time and divided them out over eight hours.
The Army has fitted us at Fort Monroe for personalized ear plugs precisely because of this topic. The hearing people came in and took readings and despite what may be going on in that other wordly pit in Canada, more than 85 dbA is coming out of these brass players instruments for extended amounts of time (though not 8 hours to be sure).
Higher intensity noise over shorter periods can cause some serious hearing damage as well. Don't forget, most damage to hearing (physical inner ear damage, i.e. the hairs, nerves, etc.) cannot be repaired. You lose it...it's gone. No fun and games here, people.
Thanks for the post, Ken.
Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-03-16 21:38
Check out the band directors who are out on disability due to hearing loss.
Sue
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-03-17 12:18
Playing in an orchestral setting without ear protection is like picking daisies in a minefield - it can be done, but may be ill-advised.
Given the availability of decent attenuating plugs in the ear, why take the risk?
My community band is made up of former High School band directors who considered their encroaching deafness as a mixed blessing...
Me? I would rather be able to hear my Son gurgle and coo...
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Author: SimpsonSaxGal
Date: 2005-03-18 04:46
I can understand the need for ear plugs, but I'll never bring myself to use them. I have hearing aids, and when I take them out, the sound quality becomes significantly different. Even if I just shut them off, the sound quality worsens.
Kimberly Karwath
Bb, Bass, and Contrabass
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Author: William
Date: 2005-03-18 14:20
For most of my orchestral and combo gigs, where "noise" levels often exceed the ridiculous, I now use customized ear plugs which reduce sound levels by aprox. 16 dec. I wish, however, I had started using them at the start of my playing and teaching career before the damage had been done. Now--45 yrs later--all I can do now is try to prevent further deterioration. It would be nice to be able to hear my grandchilds first concert through the ringings in my ears..........if, and when.
If you have to play in ultra loud situations, use ear plugs--DO YOU HEAR ME (yet)????
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Author: ken
Date: 2005-03-18 14:38
It's accumulative. The poorly designed (if at all) spaces called "a stage" and/or "rehearsal room" a working musician (road in particular) must endure can be literally, deafening. For a band director, it comes in the form of surfaces likened to the inside a corduroy jacket or handball court.
Over the years, I can't count the large/small arenas, tents, ships, constructed festival stages (with idiot, unresponsive sound engineers and blaring cans), college and community center, high school auditoriums and gymnasiums that tortured my ears. For 25 years I sat in front of a trumpet section that also produced a permanent "train whistle" case of tinnitus and 30% disability from the U.S. military.
Only two words come to mind now that it's too late; "hearing protection". v/r Ken
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-03-18 14:45
To simpsonsaxgal, I can only say that with all due respect, I sympathize with your plight, but good earplugs do not distort the sound in the same way that, I suspect, the absence of your hearing aids does. It would be a real shame to have your hearing damaged any futher, although I'm not sure how one goes about wearing hearing protection with hearing aids in place. Does anyone else have experience with this?
Sue
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