quote:

Originally posted by in2muzikk Just curious, anyone know how loud the popular nightclubs in LA are? I think Circus caps the volume at 120db, for example, but no idea about Vanguard or Avalon. If they go much above 120db (say 130db, for example) then even with the strongest 32db noise reduction from foam or custom-fit solid earplugs, that's still above 98db which is in the harmful range for anything more than about 2 hours...and full 32db noise reduction depends on a completely tight seal which rarely happens, from what I've read. There should really be some laws about this, because if a club is so loud that it's still harmful to hearing after the strongest noise reduction available (without wearing earmuffs, which really aren't that fashionable), then wearing earplugs won't even stop hearing damage. All that said, they're much better than doing nothing!

I've wondered about the SPL myself. Think any of the clubs would object to me bringing in my SPL meter? I think they are way louder than 120 db though. A THX certified theater can go up to 120 db and the clubs are much louder IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by GPC I've wondered about the SPL myself. Think any of the clubs would object to me bringing in my SPL meter? I think they are way louder than 120 db though. A THX certified theater can go up to 120 db and the clubs are much louder IMO.

hmmmm...if it looks anything like a camera, bring it and they'll never know!

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My favorite song is the one that hasn't yet been written._____|_____fb_____|_____ myspace

this is where i buy mine. they are $12 (a pretty small price to pay for your hearing), and they are great. i have used foam ones in the past, and these are sooo much better. i put them in once i get to the club and just leave in all night. you get used to them, and these ear plugs do not muffle the music at all (foam ones do)...it just lowers the volume.

the best part is taking them out at the end of the night and being able to hear perfectly. any time you're exposed to loud noises, and your ears ring after (clubs, concerts, etc), that's permanent hearing damage! there's no way to correct it. i suffer from mild tinnitus in my right ear, and i'm only 26!

do what you can now to protect your ears. you can also order skin colored beige ones, and you can't even really tell you have ear plugs in!

quote:

Originally posted by GPC I've wondered about the SPL myself. Think any of the clubs would object to me bringing in my SPL meter? I think they are way louder than 120 db though. A THX certified theater can go up to 120 db and the clubs are much louder IMO.

130 is the pain threshold. i don't think they will raise it above 125, but that's still plenty enough to cause permanent damage within a half hour.

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I'm a little late chiming in here, but Thrax and I both have the custom molded "musician's" plugs. Best $160 I ever spent on myself. period.

I got em from the local audiologist here in Toluca Lake, they took the molds in 5 minutes. They shoot the mold into your ear for about 5 minutes, and then send it off to a lab.

They fit perfect, so much you often forget you're even wearing them. Since the frequency attenuation is pretty flat across the spectrum, everything sounds normal as ever, just 25db quieter.

You can't assume that this really makes you invincible from ear damage, but it def helps slow down the effects. Bass cycles through a 4 foot concrete wall just as well as it does through your earplugs. But the overall eardrum assault is reduced dramatically.

They $12 etymotic plugs are awesome. But if you're a serious 'clubber', i think not having the money for the 'right' kind of ear protection is kinda BS.

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BEATPORT

more analog, more sidechain

quote:

Originally posted by GPC A THX certified theater can go up to 120 db and the clubs are much louder IMO.

Its all about perception. Keep in mind a film soundtrack would not dance around the 120db range for 7 hours straight like it does at these venues. Even at 115db all night your ears are getting pounded.

Here's a damage scale from http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/hearingloss.cfm

Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines

Accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time for continuous time weighted average noise, according to NIOSH and CDC, 2002. For every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half.

Continuous dB
Permissible Exposure Time

85 db
8 hours

88 dB
4 hours

91 db
2 hours

94 db
1 hour

97 db
30 minutes

100 db
15 minutes

103 db
7.5 minutes

106 dB
3.75 min (< 4min)

109 dB
1.875 min (< 2min)

112 dB
.9375 min (~1 min)

115 dB
.46875 min (~30 sec)

___________________
BEATPORT

more analog, more sidechain

Glad to hear that Musician's earplugs worked for other TA's here. For me, they were a waste of money though. First, they go very deep (into second ear canal so you can hear yourself talk) and after about 20 mins. the end starts digging into my ear and hurting like hell. Second, I was getting a lot of discomfort (the kind I get from there being too much noise) after just a few mins. using the 25db buttons. So, $160 down the drain for these.

I also got a pair of fitted solid earplugs (they kinda look like big chunks of cheddar cheese), but I have to keep pushing these into my ears over & over to get a good fit. I had the left one refitted twice by the audiologist, but that seems good as she could get it, so another $65 down the drain for these.

I'm wondering if maybe I should go to a different audiologist and try again...I went to a lady over at Cedars Sinai who was really cool about getting them made. She loved it when people came in to prevent hearing loss, as most of her customers are instead getting hearing aids to cope with it. All that said, I spent $225 for custom earplugs that I can't use.

Here's some info. that I found about a "Do it yourself" kit for custom earplugs (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/cusfitproc.html):

--------------------

What is the NRR rating of custom fitted ear plugs?

Our custom fitted ear plugs are not rated for NRR. The manufacturer tells us that NRR is used to represent the "real world" best case average performance, and with custom fitted plugs, you get performance that is just like the lab because they always fit. Our custom plugs are made of JB1000 material which varies from a low of 28dB at the lower frequencies you can hear, to more than 40dB at frequencies above 2000 hz.

If that all sounds like a bunch of techno-babble, here is a more practical explanation: Foam plugs, when properly inserted deeply into your ear canal can offer results that are similar to the results you should experience with your custom plugs. If you have used foam or wax plugs, your custom plugs will always be as good or better than the typical experience you have achieved with these. Custom plugs will always fit properly and they will not put pressure on your ear canal to form a seal because they are fitted exactly to your contours. They are simple to insert and they will last for many years--at least 5 years or more.

How do I get custom fitted ear molds or ear plugs?
For custom fitted ear molds or ear plugs, first order the custom product you need, then you must obtain a set of impressions.

Our custom products now include our impression kit and we will send the kit right away when you order. You make your own impressions and return them to us at the address below. The kit comes with everything you need including fully illustrated instructions. It is simple, safe and easy and takes just 10 minutes or so. Here are the impression kit instructions you can review if you like, to see what you are getting into before you order.

As an alternative, you can visit a local audiologist and ask for a set of impressions. The cost is usually $15-50 and it takes less than 10 minutes. You will receive your impressions at the time of your visit to the audiologist. Mail the impressions to us and we will do the rest. Please make sure you mail them to the following address:

Custom Fitting Department
The Ear Plug Super Store
PO Box 658
Hulbert, OK 74441

Our kit contains a pre-addressed box you can use to send your impressions to us.

The audiologist may give you a pre-addressed box in which to mail them. Just paste a label over the address if necessary.

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The HEAROS SuperSoft foam plugs seem to work best for me, but even at 32db reduction I still noticed some slight ringing in my left ear after BT at Red. It seemed much louder than usual there, so I guess the "bass through a brick wall" metaphor applies well.

Not sure if its true, but I once read that many of the sound technicians for clubs have significant hearing loss, so they set the volume so THEY can hear it which is loud enough to blow everyone's eardrums out. I never had much of a problem at Circus, I may start going back there more because of this. I prefer having a cleaner, distortion-free sound over a louder sound any day.

Anyway, be aware that the custom-fit plugs are a lot more expensive and may not be the best solution for everyone...and getting a good fit may depend on the audiologist. Also, all earplugs are not created equal...the regular (non-custom) musician's triple-flange earplugs only reduce 20db max, so if the sound level is 120db, you're still getting 100db which is harmful to hearing after 15 mins. according to the charts. Most foam earplugs and custom-fit solid plugs can reduce 30-33db max, though they do cut the high frequencies off. If the sound level is 120db and you have 33db reduction, then you're getting 87db which is harmful to hearing a little after 4 hours.

I once called an audiologist affiliated with H.E.A.R. and this person told me that nightclubs in LA can easily be loud as 150db. This seems high to me after reading all of this, but it seems that an audiologist would be more experienced on this subject than I am.

I guess bottom line, if the clubs here are pushing the sound much over 120db, then everyone will lose their hearing soon and they'll have no more customers since nobody can hear the music anymore! I think there's a lesson to be learned here, I just hope the right audience is reading this...

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My favorite song is the one that hasn't yet been written._____|_____fb_____|_____ myspace

Last edited by in2muzikk on Feb-22-2007 at 05:11

quote:

Originally posted by bossaNova

ordered myself a pair of these. hope they get here quick as I really hate losing all the sound with foam ear plugs

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Originally posted by rizen ordered myself a pair of these. hope they get here quick as I really hate losing all the sound with foam ear plugs

you wont be disappointed. for under $20 cant complain. they arent the most comfortable but you get used to it after a few times.

If anyone is looking into getting custom made earplugs, one of my professors recommended the House Clinic, http://www.houseearclinic.com/ . its located in downtown LA, pretty close to USC I think. Just call them up, tell them you need to get custom musician's earplugs made, and they will schedule an appointment.

This is quite the useful thread and a good kick in the ass to remind me to take care of my ears already. -_-

Anyone happen to know a good place to get custom molds around OC?