Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Sound Science › Earplugs
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Earplugs

post #1 of 5
10/21/10 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 

Does anyone here use earplugs to "preserve" their hearing? I just bought some earplugs called Hearos at my local pharmacy/drugstore, they cost like $3 for 3 sets. These are some of the best earplugs Ive ever tried. They have a 32 db NRR rating and are very comfortable, not scratchy like the cheap ones. 

 

Anyway, I just wanted to say that my stress levels are way down. And my ears dont feel fried at the end of a normal work day. Silence is a very good thing for the ears as well as the mind and soul. 

 

Also, when I take the plugs out, everything seems loud and clear. I try to only take them out for headphones. Anything else is noise really.  

 

The noise levels of many family households and neighbors is insane, mine included. The neighbor on my left owns and drives a  daycab style semi-truck for work. And the neighbor to my right owns a daycare/pet grooming service. These earplugs kept me from going nuts. If you have a problem with noise pollution and dont have IEM's, for $3 the hearos are worth the peace of mind and fresh ears. I highly recommend.


Edited by EYEdROP - 10/21/10 at 6:26pm
Reply
post #2 of 5
10/24/10 at 1:43am

Hi EYEdROP

 

 

My response might surprise you, but I think you are taking a risk of developing Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S) through this use of your ear plugs.
 
The problem with wanting to reduce noise simply because it is unwanted is that you psychologically increase the awareness of the sound.
 
I think it would be good for you to read about Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome which is also called Misophonia.
 
The only situation I use earplugs is when I am out clubbing which I love doing. I have some really rather superb specially moulded earplugs which cost a small fortune, but were worth every penny.
 
However I would never use earplugs unless I am actually in that extremely noisy environment and there is a physical threat to my ears.
 
I've just done an Internet search on this and I notice there are many good sites today with information. Here is one:
 
 
but just putting "Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome" or "Misophonia" into a search engine will turn up a lot of information about this.
Reply
post #3 of 5
10/24/10 at 3:09am

SHIT I've probably got that already. It's making me grumpy when anyone speaks.

 

Thanks for the warning.

 

edit: whoa it's like looking into a mirror.


Edited by Trysaeder - 10/24/10 at 3:12am
Reply
post #4 of 5
10/24/10 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 

Im pretty sure I already have 4S, and have had it ever since I became a hi-fi enthusiast. I remember getting mad at the noise of my computer, because it would ruin the quiet and subtle moments in the music. It eventually led to turning the AC off and being uncomfortable, telling my dad to stop blaring the TV, getting frustrated with outside traffic. It was all for better sound quality, and people thought I was crazy. I hardly drive with my windows down because the road and wind noise bothers my music. Again my friends think Im nuts. I bet audiophiles are very prone to 4S. With increased listening skills, noise becomes more bothersome. Does anyone else around here have the symtoms of 4S?

 

For me, there is no turning back from 4S now, might as well keep the ears fresh with earplugs. 

Reply
post #5 of 5
10/24/10 at 4:55pm

Hi

 

I am a longterm sufferer of 4S, I have been all my life. I had it long before "4S" or "Misophonia" nomenclature arrived.

 

Unfortunately I have to tell you that the use of earplugs will increase 4S and as it increases you will become more unhappy with it.

 

There is a myth in hi fi that reducing the background noise of everyday life is somehow going to improve the period when you listen to music. It is as if using earplugs is somehow keeping the ears at rest, then taking them off will mean that the ears are at peak performance when listening to the hi fi or live music.

 

However this myth comes from a complete misunderstanding of how hearing works, and in fact many of the hi fi myths come from the same misunderstanding.

 

The ear drums themselves behave like microphones but the sense perception of hearing is based on selecting from the signal input from the ear drums. It is that selectivity that is truly "magical" about the human hearing. Reducing the amount of ambient noise in daily life simply reduces the selectivity capability and so when you go to listen to your music your ability to listen to the music, and not the sound the radiator is making, is reduced.

 

It is unwise to mess with the natural selectivity process of the hearing. With the ear plugs the selectivity is always being reduced and the 4S increases.

 

Tremendous work in this field has been carried out by Pawel J. Jastreboff and I recommend you do an Internet search with his name.

 

Increasing 4S can lead to associated problems such as tinnitus. The reason for this is that as the ability for the brain to select the sounds decreases then it starts to pick up the random signals in the auditory system, mistaking them for "real" sound.

 

4S is absolutely curable but it is hard work! You need to get the hearing back to selecting the right parts of the available "sounds" but this can be emotionally challenging. I know because I have had to do this myself.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Sound Science
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Sound Science › Earplugs