 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: William Fuller
Date: 1999-05-28 01:23
Have any of you clarinestists out there on the bulletin board suffered any high range hearing loss that has been diagnosed as having occurred as a result of playing the clarinet? Anybody use earplugs while you play professional gigs? If so, how long did it take to get used to them? I know....lots of questions, but I am seriously interested in knowing how many of use have developed hearing loss as a result of our profession, and what might be done to minimize the damage over the years, or if that is an inevitable part of being a musician.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tim2
Date: 1999-05-28 02:37
I am 43 and I have some hearing loss in the higher range. I think though it is rather due to the fact that headphones were a big part of my life in the 80's. Classical music in apartments with talking walls is best done through headphones. I'm going to watch this post. Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-05-28 02:48
You might want to check the Resources section here on Sneezy for medical info - there's a section in there on music & medicine. It leads to more links.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-05-28 03:01
William Fuller wrote:
-------------------------------
Have any of you clarinestists out there on the bulletin board suffered any high range hearing loss that has been diagnosed as having occurred as a result of playing the clarinet?
William-
I think there may be a FAQ on the subject, but haven't checked.
Loud noise would appear to fit into the occupational hazard category for musicians. I play in a community band where many of the members are older. I have observed that some older drummers wear hearing aids, but that isn't common in other areas of the band.
Although I realize my hearing has deteriorated slightly, I don't think it is the result of playing Clarinet or Bass Clarinet. Rather, I think it is the cumulative result of exposure to other loud sounds over the years. Perhaps a major source of loud sound was when I learned to shoot a rifle in Army basic training. Another possibility is from sitting close to the drum section, playing third Clarinet.
A while back, I attended a conference on the subject of hearing protection for military personnel. For example, some jobs require being so close to the rear end of jet aircraft that people almost get burned. It is so loud that there is NO hearing protection that can fully meet OSHA requirements. In spite of that, only a minority suffers hearing loss. It is an individual thing, where some people are more, some less susceptible to hearing damage.
Fred
<A HREF="http://www.dreamnetstudios.com/music/mmb/index.htm">MMB</A>
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-05-28 14:43
Yes, my experience is similar to Fred's, being too close to drums-tympani and trombones etc in symphony and bands, saxes in dance bands, playing oboe and a number of years as a Chem Eng in refineries and petrochem plants with pump and compressor roar and steam and gas flow "scream". I have tinitus [I have heard that small amounts of Niacin are helpful] and poorer hearing in my right ear, as my wife tells me!!! However, I feel my playing has improved over the years, prob from experience. Take care of your ears!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Frank
Date: 1999-05-28 23:58
For a summer before college, I was a riveter, and I have been to a few loud concerts - luckily, I have only small hearing loss. However, for the last number of years I use ear plugs or ear muffs for every loud thing I do, e.g. when using power tools, cutting the grass, handling the chain saw. I do not play loud music into my ears with ear phones. If I am at a loud venue, musical or otherwise, I stuff bits of paper napkin in the ears, for want of something better. I use ear plugs on plane rides as well.
Tinnitus, or sound in one or both ears, has several possible causes. For me, it has been so far associated with tension and fatigue and high blood pressure - and not with having heard too many loud noises. [There are other causes as well.] I had managed to get rid of my tinnitus by working at being calm and rested and avoiding coffee - and by controling the bp. Buddy DeFranco has had severe tinnitus which he associated with his muscial career. i.e., loud clubs, much noise, loud bands.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pam L
Date: 1999-05-31 20:12
I know that I've lost some of my hearing, but I think that's because my college band parked the clarinets in front of the percussion section, and boy, were there a lot of them! Also, my dad has (literally) house-shaking speakers that have been cranked up from time to time (melted the woofers at least once), so I'm sure that didn't help. I had a good friend in band who wore those yellow foam ear plugs all the time (she needed to preserve her hearing in order to be eligible to fly a plane for the Navy) and they seemed to help - she could still hear, but the volume was decreased a bunch, and as long as she was really good about watching our director, no problems staying with the rest of the group.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John
Date: 1999-06-04 02:44
I have lost some hearing in both the high and low ranges, certainly caused by the groups in which I have played.
Ear plugs do help. Have them made by a professional and be absolutely sure to get the kind that will remain soft. Some do harden gradually over a 12 month period. Also, try the 15 db filters rather than the 30 (?) db. And, finally, do not get the filters that use a tiny O-ring to hold them in place. There is a much better design.
Playing with ear plugs does take some getting used to. I have decided to use ear plugs in band selections where the percussion and/or trumpets get excited. I leave them in my pocket the rest of the time.
Do have your hearing checked from time to time. A good rule of thumb regarding the potential for hearing damage is: If you cannot carry on a conversation with someone at a distance of three feet, your hearing is at risk.
Good Luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
