Should we all be using earplugs?

[Fiesta red]

I have been to quite a few loudish Shads/guitar clubs during the past few years. Also practice at my friends house can be loud. (no name or I might get banned) Should we be using earplugs? Or is it to late to start by the time we reach 55 or so. I must say not many people seem to use them. Those of you that do use earplugs, do they hinder your playing? Ken.........

[Tab]

Pardon?

[David Martin]

Yes you should... and preferably the custom made ones with filters built in. Very costly...but...

Some are reviewed in the current issue of Guitarist, and, after recommending - but regretting the price - they ask "what price your hearing?"

Now I can answer this from experience. I ruined my hearing in the 70's playing rock, and consolidated the damage with "Legend" which is the loudest practising band I ever worked with - bar none. And the result? I now wear hearing aids full time, and because I wanted to restore my hearing as well as it can be done, and I didn't want chunks of kit hanging behind my ears and blocking up my ear canals I chose these... http://www.bebyresound.com/facts-and-features.htm

And the price of your hearing? This is the best deal at present... £1250 per ear... at http://www.affordablehearingaids.co.uk/products.html

And you know what ... they're absolutely worth it...

But you won't ever need them if you get these http://www.sensorcom.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=1&P_ID=1298

Or pop into your local Boots Hearing Care Centre and they'll sort you out...

Go on, go on, go on... you know it makes sense... and it's much much cheaper than the (imperfect) cure...

[Paulps]

I have been to quite a few loudish Shads/guitar clubs during the past few years. Also practice at my friends house can be loud. (no name or I might get banned) Should we be using earplugs? Or is it to late to start by the time we reach 55 or so. I must say not many people seem to use them. Those of you that do use earplugs, do they hinder your playing? Ken.........

Everyone should wear earplugs when I'm singing.....I do!

[Fiesta red]

Thanks for the info David.

[abstamaria]

All the drummers from the 1960s I know are hard of hearing. Some are almost deaf.