Im glad you mentioned this. As a musician and lover of music, I am a BIG advocate of protecting one's hearing. There are 2 big reasons why so many folks under 50 are having hearing issues nowadays.
1. Youthful ignorance is a big factor. When I was younger and stupider in my teens and early 20s, Id blast my headphones, play loud band practices, and play even louder live shows. Then one day during practice, my ears started rustling. When certain noises were loud enough, or when certain frequencies came into contact with me, my left ear would sound like someone was crinkling a candy wrapper next to it. It was like static.
I eventually found out I have stapedial myoclonus, along with a mild case of tinnitus. The myoclonus is basically the spasming of the stapedius muscle in my ear. And my tinnitus is a faint rining in my ears, for those who arent familiar with it. Its basically that ringing you get after being somewhere loud, except its permanent. Luckily my tinnitus isnt loud, and I really only notice it in dead quiet environments.
I now wear custom musicians earplugs when I go to ANY loud place. Basically, if I have to yell in someones ear to talk to them, I know I should wear my earplugs at that place. I got my plugs half price a few years ago in my senior year at college, thanks to the student discount the audiology department at school offerent. I also carry extra foam plugs to give to people, or to use myself if I want stronger protection than my customs.
The big problem is that half the time, young people my age ignore what I tell them about this hearing damage, and that they can end up with very loud and permanent tinnitus. People have gone through depression and suicide because the ringing for them is too loud. I got lucky. And heck, nowadays my myoclonus is like a warning. If I get the static in my ears from the inner ear muscle spasm, I know to wear plugs or leave the area.
2. Many musicians, sound engineers, producers, etc are VERY VERY irresposible when it comes to putting on shows for people at a venue. Many believe louder is better. My Bloody Valentine is known for doing this dangerous crap called the wall of sound. They basically assault their fans with deafening sound, and even with earplugs people have complained of hearing problems afterwards. I know people want to "feel" the music in their chest, but too loud is not healthy and sometimes earplugs dont help if the decibels get out of hand.
Some of the best music I have seen has been of moderate sound level, that didnt assault my ears, and was even across high, mid, and low tones. Too many sound guys and bands dont know how to equalize their music. And many times guitarists and other musicians in the upper register want to turn their volume up too much over the lower register instruments. High frequency hearing lost is the first thing to go when it comes to ear damage.
So basically, I emplore ALL people to take care of their ears and educate others if you can. Turn down the car stereo, turn down the ipod, learn how to properly level music if you play out like, and wear earplugs when its too loud.
Mike32ct said:
I was VERY active in the bar/club scene from 27 to 34. Then, I started to taper it off. I would go out one a month or so until 37. Now, I'm a hermit who hides at home except for work, dance classes, and vacations. I don't really bother with women much at all anymore except on a professional or classroom sort of level.
The number one reason I left the bar/club scene was fear of continued long term hearing damage. These places are just too damn loud. I still love club music even as an older guy, but I listen to it at home. Even bars with music are really loud. The theory is it sells more drinks. Workplaces have noise regulations to protect hearing. But somehow bars, clubs, and concerts do not. But that's another topic...
I also got sick of the AWing and cliquey social circle groups that stay together and don't talk to anyone else.
I love to dance and have gotten MUCH better at it in recent years with some training, but I'm sick of seeing women dance together in groups instead of with men. I have some cool moves now, but a bar/club lady wouldn't give me the right time of day anymore so I can't use them there. A hot guy who sways from left to right >>>> an average looking guy with cool moves in the bar/club scene.
So, I just do formal dancing at the ballroom studio and some local dance events. Of course I sometimes miss the grinding and makeouts from the club lol, but it is what it is.