[Tainojim]

Originally Posted by meahal19

I recommend going to a Dr and getting properly diagnosed and start protecting your ears. I was an auto mechanic and played drums since Jr high. At 38 my hearing was that of a 65 year old man. All high frequencies no longer exists. Years fly by and you will probably live longer than you think. Preventative maintenance is the way to go.

Same with me, I worked at a power generating station and there's huge amounts of noise there.

So go see a doctor or an ENT specialist and get your hearing tested.

Every time my ears rang, I would answer the phone. I got nothing but a ring tone.

But hearing loss is no joke. I totally agree with meahal19.

[jd1368]

Went to many concerts,sitting up towards the front rows,and ending up paying for it. found listening to recordings of white noise helps,as well as meditation every day. wish i could have avoided it,but have to make do with the condition. also fired pistols years ago one time without hearing muffs,and got bad ringing in ears as a result. try to be as careful as you can to preserve and protect what you have left. take care,john,a.k.a. "sticks",nickname i was given many years ago

[Nightman]

Originally Posted by Buddy

Ya Im going with Luke. used over the ear headphones too. and if you wanna use music and drumm at the same time try this trick I inventid Just put in earplugs then put on rap-around headphones. Blast your music so that you can hear it. Then the drums are quiet but the music is hearable. a cheap way to make noise cancelling headphones.

I definitely wouldn't do that; blasting earbud microphones to avoid ambient noise (i.e. drumming) will probably be more damaging than the drums itself. I'd definitely recommend some passive, dB reducing headphones (I have Vic Firth ones that cost me a pretty penny, although they're starting to degrade after only three years...).

The key to avoiding ear damage is moderation; don't play too loud for too long.

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[orionsbelt77]

Tinitus. I have had it in both ears since 1997. There is no cure, other than gutting out the inner ear, which leaves you permanently deaf. I have it 24/7, it never stops and I do not remember what silence sounds like. I have a tough time hearing some speech, as I am always in a noisy room. I do not blame this all on playing drums, as I worked in very noisy places throughout my life, but I do not discount it either. What really did it for me was jamming with some guys for hours and their amps got so loud, that I could not hear the drums no matter how loud I played. I could not hear much after the jam for about three days. I had ringing in both ears and it became permanent. Now I use Sennheiser HD-280 headphones, which I highly recommend to any drummer. Does it drive me insane? Yes, and when I cannot stand anymore, I put the headphones on and listen to anything that will drown out the ringing for awhile. Any noisy situation for sustained periods of time will do a number on your hearing, so do not believe you are safe protecting your ears only while you are playing drums. The price for loud is forever.

[thundafoot]

I have gottin use to the ringing and sleep just fine. it is distracting at times. ear protection helps but I like to hear what I am playing. I make my 12 yr old daughter use ear plugs all the time to save her from my mistake...........lol

[Luke]

Well that motivates me to start wearing earplugs when I go to concerts! They can get very very loud. Also whenever I play drums I wear headphones so I'm protected then.

[Zootzoot]

I have a constant ringing in both of my ears, it was from when I was into handgun hunting. The ringing is caused from PERMANENT nerve damage. It cannot be repaired. I've been to a Ear specialist this is how I know. Since I have ear nerve damage all vowels sound alike to me. Over the years I've learn to do a lot of lip reading when speaking to people face to face.

[Lukeykookey]

I bet phonecalls are a pain.

Seriously, I have the start of it I'm sure, being a biker for 10 years and now drumming for 3 years or so, after reading this I wont go on them without protection again.

Always wear wellies...

[oldschool]

It's never to late to start wearing ear protection,not much you can do to reverse the damage though. Although i may from time to time hear bells and whistles it's only temperary and i use a 1500w mackie for my monitor feed,i have my hearing checked annually and it's a-ok everytime. I think they must be conditioned from listening to loud music my entire life,being 51 yrs. old and the youngest of 6, my older sisters loved music and still do from the British Invasion to the Beach Boys i've heard it all and still listen to it. They've supported my love of music and 30yrs. on the drums 100%. And when recording in the studio i demand (although against the engineers better judgement) my clicks be very loud,so my playing does'nt drown them out. I would be a perfect candidate for the EVANS Corp. in testing drum head durability because i break **** when i play(sticks,cymbals,kick pedals,etc.) and damn proud of it ! I also find that with some minor ailments i have that mind over matter works well for me. I hope your friend finds a solution to his hearing problem and to quit playing would not be the answer. GOOD LUCK FRIEND !

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