ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXEar Protection
2 years, 5 months ago - Matthew Mutton
Hello folks,
I have just completed a 12 month course doing Sound for Visual Media with the goal of working in the industry doing audio post production, finally retraining to do something I want to do for a career.
then I got a ringing in my left ear in around June of 2022 and it hasn't gone away ever since and im worried that the more I work, the worse its going to get. I currently used headphones and I have a silicon ear plug in my left ear to try and reduce the risk of further damage until I can afford to get some speakers and I wondered if anyone else had experienced these issues and what they have done to get over it or get around it?
I have only just started on my journey into this, I love it and want to make a career of it, I have invested heavily financially and with time commitments too and I don't want to have to throw in the towel before I have really begun.
if you use ear plugs, what works, what doesn't, how can I avoid further damage?
any tips, advice and help is mutely appreciated.
Only members can post or respond to topics. LOGIN
Not a member of SP? JOIN or FIND OUT MORE
2 years, 5 months ago - Jim Read
Hey Matt!
Congrats on doing your course and taking the dive - sounds like theres exciting stuff ahead for you.
A bit of a different sphere but I used to do alot of events videography for club nights etc - and it really did my hearing in. Foam earplugs wise - these are the best I'd used because they still allow you to hear clearly and accurately for -tech reasons which go above my head-
https://www.earasers.shop/
Speakers wise as well - worth checking on ebay for old hi-fi types, as these can be much cheaper than the newer markets and have similar specs to what you might need.
Best,
Jim
Response from 2 years, 5 months ago - Jim Read SHOW
2 years, 5 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy
As certain diseases and infections of the ear can lead to tinnitus, you might want to have a word with your doctor just in case.
Response from 2 years, 5 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW
2 years, 5 months ago - Barry Staff
My other half's had tinnitus (if that's what you've got) for years and she's learned to listen through it. As a result her hearing's like a shithouse gnat's - as they say. First get a diagnosis. If it is the 'T', see if you can manage to 'zone it out.' If so, probably no worries pursuing your career - and you never even need to mention it to employers.
Response from 2 years, 5 months ago - Barry Staff SHOW
2 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Firstly, get a hearing test and discuss the results with the audologist. Places like Specsavers can even do it cheaply on the high street in your lunch break. Find out for sure what the options are on that front.
In terms of hearing protection, I really look after my own, working at a lot of live music events. I use one, the other or both of earplugs and over-ear cans. It's an area I chose not to cheap out on - for over ear hearing protection, you can start with whatever Screwfix have, and that'll help a lot. Earplugs - after a lot of trial and error, I got some custom-moulded plugs (Specsavers, £120-odd, but other suppliers upto £500 or so) and they're night and day better than those foam things. If you can afford them (and they last a decade or so, so amortise well) then they fit perfectly and can be maybe -25db. Make a huge difference, and yet still allow you to converse normally.
Response from 2 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
2 years, 5 months ago - Yen Rickeard
Please check with an audiologist. My husband has recently lost most of his hearing, but still finds many sounds extremely annoying, nastily altered. With the best of hearing aids and lip reading he can still have a conversation, but you need to know what is going on. Only an audiologist can help you work out what is going on, and point you in the right direction. They might even be able to tell you not to worry, and how to carry on on your chosen path without any problem. Good luck.
Response from 2 years, 5 months ago - Yen Rickeard SHOW