I’ve been going to concerts with some regularity for approximately a decade now, and since moving to the music-rich Twin Cities, the number of shows per month has increased exponentially.
I’m also noting a marked hearing loss, which can only be attributed to continual exposure to (literally) ear-splitting amps, feedback and heart-pounding bass. As these side effects of my night life began to affect my daily life (apart from the hangovers, of course), I delved into the world of earplugs — a crutch I’ve always associated with 1). Old people and/or 2). Losers.
ButI went into my local Guitar Center, and they hooked me up with some High Fidelity Hearos ($15), which filter out the middle junk but leave the high and low frequencies so precious to us musical connoisseurs — WAY better than sticking a muffling foam plug in your ear.
So it appears I’m one of those “earplug people” now (you know the ones). But I’ve come to terms with it, and in the past few months, I’ve noticed more and more people using these decibel reducers at local shows. So I conducted a mini-poll of Minneapolis music bloggers and writers to get their thoughts on the necessity, types and culture of earplugs. Their thoughts after the jump.
Thanks much to Steve McPherson from Pulse, Ross Raihala from the Pioneer Press, David DeYoung from HowWasTheShow, Steve from TheRocknRollStar, Andrea from MinneapolitanMusic, Peter from SovietPanda and Lee from Dinosaur In Trouble.
Read on…
Do you wear earplugs to shows? If not, is it because you’re too cool, do you not think you need them or what?
Steve @ Pulse Music: Well, I definitely carry earplugs with me at all times. Otherwise, I tend to forget them. By the time you’re my age (29), being cool isn’t really an operative concern. I’ve long ago given that up.
Kyle @ More Cowbell: I usually always have them with me… whether not I wear them depends on the band and venue. And no, definitely isn’t a factor of I’m “too cool” or anything.
Andrea @ MinneapolitanMusic: I wear earplugs at shows, mostly because I hate the ringing in my ears afterwards, and I know that there is a big risk of hearing loss. I love music way too much to risk losing it.
Steve @ TheRocknRollStar: I wear earplugs to all shows. I’d be deaf by now if I wouldn’t…
Ross Raihala @ PiPress: No, I don’t, although I’m starting to think I should. There are times, especially at sold out arena shows (like Fall Out Boy or Kenny Chesney) where it’s not the music but the roar of the crowd that really gets to me. As for not wearing them now, it’s more a matter of laziness for me — I already have too much stuff to carry around.
Lee @ Dinosaur In Trouble: I never leave home without them. With the role that music plays in my life, I prize my hearing over all my other senses. Of course, I wasn’t always so responsible. Back when I was a naïve high school student, I’d brave the Rage Against the Machine, Deftones, and American Head Charge concerts sans earplugs. But it didn’t take very long for me to notice an obvious reduction in my hearing. Since I didn’t know sign language, I decided to save my hearing and always wear earplugs at shows. I think that a lot of other serious concertgoers have arrived at the same conclusion.
Which venues do you most use them/should you use them?
Andrea @ MinneapolitanMusic: There are only a few venues where I don’t feel the need to use them. Acoustic type shows at places like the Cedar or outdoor concerts are the only places I really feel safe. Shows at the 400 Bar, Turf Club, First Ave, and Orphuem lately have been especially loud.
Steve @ Pulse Music: I think you can often get away with not wearing them at First Ave if you stay towards the back, and venues like Pantages or the Orpheum are usually mixed well enough to make them not terribly necessary, but it’s absolutely essential for the Entry and highly recommended for any loud-ish acts at the Triple Rock, Varsity and 400 Bar.
Kyle @ More Cowbell: Ascot can be insanely loud (tho Elbow as just fine), as well as some Quest & 400 Bar shows. Few Entry shows, but rarely at First Ave, depends on the band (Mogwai uh yes :)
Steve @ TheRocknRollStar: Pretty much all of them, depends on the band though. Turf Club is extremely loud; 7th Street Entry & Main Room are usually very loud as well. 400 Bar same thing… I guess they’re all pretty loud… Varsity Theatre / Triple Rock seem to be ok volume-wise…
David DeYoung @ HowWasTheShow: I use them anywhere sound is too loud. It’s not venue specific. I’ve even used them in a movie theater before. One rule of thumb is that if people have to shout to be heard over whatever the noise is, you should be wearing earplugs. Consider this: the shouting is obviously louder than the music, or you wouldn’t be able to hear what the person was saying. In dead silence, would you want someone shouting in your ear?
Ross Raihala @ PiPress: Again, at the Xcel or Target Center, if it’s a show with a lot of pyro and/or screaming kids. I should also use them in smaller club shows that are sold out and packed with people. I’m not as much worried about concerts at First Avenue, because there’s so much room to spread out and I’m rarely up in front anyway.
Lee @ Dinosaur In Trouble: I’ve noticed that the vast majority of familiar faces at shows (i.e., the people who go to as many shows as I do) consistently wear earplugs. This phenomenon has also altered our perception of what is cool. You are definitely not uncool if you wear earplugs at shows. In fact, earplugs have become a sort of status symbol. They separate the scene veterans from the newbies. They separate the serious music fans from the posers.
I will say, however, that the prevalence of earplugs is only apparent in certain scenes. Independent/underground/local music fans tend to go to a lot more shows than the average concertgoer, so they tend to take more precautions when it comes to their hearing. And when it comes to indie rock, the audiences tend to be slightly more mature than, say, a Korn audience, but the music and venues are still very loud. In effect, you will see more earplugs at a STNNNG concert than, say, a Korn concert (plus, STNNNG are almost unbearable without earplugs).
I’ve also noticed that earplugs are largely an American accessory. A few years ago, I was at a Human League concert in Amsterdam. I was the only person in the whole club wearing earplugs. I received a lot of curious looks, and people even asked me, “What are those things in your ears?” Who knows, maybe I started a new fashion trend in Europe.
If you do use these aural blocking devices, do you have professional earplugs, Walgreens orange/turquoise foam ones, Kleenex, etc.?
Steve @ TheRocknRollStar: I usually use the ones I buy @ First Avenue for $.25.
Kyle @ More Cowbell: I have Etymotics ones, but I use the regular orange foam ones at times too if I forget my others.
Andrea @ MinneapolitanMusic: I use professional earplugs called ER-20 Hi-Fi that I found online. They are made specifically for concerts and actually improve the sound. I can hear the lyrics much clearer with them in, and find myself suffering if I leave them at home. Since I already know that I am not cool, I ordered mine in purple.
David DeYoung @ HowWasTheShow: Anything is better than nothing for protection, but napkins don’t work too well. Foam plugs deaden sound too much, however, which can hurt your concert experience and make it impossible to discern vocals. I use Etymotic Research plugs (around $10-15) which bring the volume down across the sound spectrum much like professional musician’s plugs do. I can actually hear vocals and conversation better wearing them than not.
Ross Raihala @ PiPress: Actually, my sister (who is a doctor) gave me a bunch of pre-packaged disposable ones, although I have yet to actually use any of them. So, really, when I lose my hearing, I have no one to blame but myself.
Lee @ Dinosaur In Trouble: The acceptance of earplugs in America is probably aided by the fact that most venues sell them now. I usually buy mine at the 7th Street Entry – $0.25 for a pair of foam earplugs that usually last me a month. I think that’s a pretty good deal, especially since it’s pure masochism to be in the Entry without earplugs. So vote yes on earplugs!
Have you noticed an uptick of people wearing earplugs at shows? Why do you think this is?
Kyle @More Cowbell: I don’t even really tend to notice other people; I just usually stand back near the board where they’re not as necessary. If i get stuck by a stack I will def use them.
Andrea @ MinneapolitanMusic: I do see more people at shows with earplugs now. I am not sure what the cause is other than the desire to preserve long-term hearing.
Steve @ TheRocknRollStar: Actually I have. I think a lot more people ARE wearing them. I think it’s mostly people in their 20’s and 30’s though… the young kids are usually without ear protection.
Ross Raihala @ PiPress: I don’t think I’ve noticed any serious increase. I do tend to see, though, that the same people use them and they use them religiously.
David DeYoung @ HowWasTheShow: I hope it’s on the upswing. We’re the second or third loud rock and roll generation. Maybe the deafness of the first batch of baby boomers raised awareness, and people like Pete Townsend of the Who have made it clear it’s insane to allow yourself to go deaf, especially if music is a true love. It’s not a question of if you’ll damage your hearing, it’s a question of when. And remember, it’s all loud noise and music, not just the loud rock people suspect. I got permanent tinitis in my left ear following a Jayhawks concert when I didn’t wear plugs and was right by the speakers. I went home, my ear was ringing. That was 3 years ago, and it’s still ringing.
The people with the “If it’s too loud, you’re too old” mindset can screw themselves. In 20 years, I’ll still be at rock shows, while they’ll be cranking up their hearing aids asking, “What was that again, sonny?”
