[yonson]

From what I found, after about -40dB of attenuation to the ear canal (I don't know of any hearing protection that can really deliver this level of broadband SPL reduction), bone conduction kicks in and there isn't much you can do…
The 'best' of the foam bullets can hit a rating of ≈ -33dB of attenuation in the mids and up, with less elsewhere.

It can take a bit of practice to get them inserted for max effectiveness and wetting the ear canal first can really help in this regard.
I use water for the best results (make sure your fingers are clean) but I have used saliva with good results as well.

Be aware and cautious of sources of infection and ear wax build up etc.

JJ

Yeah, I get ear infections quite easily so I try not to use earplugs that you have to insert into your ears and go with over the ear protection, which can suck shooting rifles, but I have suppressors for all of mine, so I don't really need ear pro for them now, unless I'm at the range...

 

[johnjen]

You might be able to get away with the foam plugs, just don't seat them very deep and ALWAYS use new ones with clean hands.
And yeah that last bit (clean hands) can complicate things a bit.

I say this because the, in ear and around the ear, combination is better, if the situation allows.

JJ

 

[porchwizard]

I am happy I have always protected my hearing. At 52 years of age I have almost perfect hearing yet. I grew up on a farm and was in the military. I have flown in and been around aircraft for over 30 years. I was a locomotive engineer for over a decade and have been to countless rock concerts. I currently work in a very loud production facility. I ALWAYS wear my earplugs.

I was 54 when I realized I had mild tinnitus. YMMV as they say... I wish I had worn ear protection more often. I don't know if it was decades of loud computer fans or demolition work with hammer on pry-bars right over my head. Ringing around 4k which matches steel on steel Bad, compressed music and low bit-rate mp3's aggravate it.

 

[Pietro Cozzi Tinin]

I wear a pair of closed, well sealing headphones even when I use the vacuum cleaner. I've already got a decent amount of tinnitus and I don't want it to worsen any faster than it already is.

Tinnitus is not the result of loud noise or an ear problem per se.
Deafness is.

 

[tin-ear]

This is an article from Slate (online) magazine from a few months ago.
Title and subtitle:

Digital Hearing Aids Turn the Whole World Into a Giant MP3 File
The world has rediscovered the virtues of analog sound. Why has the hearing aid industry gone completely digital?

Link: https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/hearing-aids-digital-analog-sound-music.html
https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/hearing-aids-digital-analog-sound-music.html
Doing some research, I found that here on head-fi is a thread about using headphones over hearing aids. That says to me how stultified the hearing aid technology is.
On the rest of the internet I found various mic-amp combination devices that amplify the surrounding sound. Those can be plugged into headphones and maybe hearing aids.
I read several years ago that someone(s) had designed an app that a user could test their hearing with using a cell phone and headphones? earbuds? The US govt. decided that was practicing audiology without a license. I think that app is down, but also read about that time that there are other apps for using a cell phone, a mic amp combo and wireless earbuds/headphones as an alternative to hearing aids. A major motivation is it can be done for less cost that way, and some have said they get better sound.
My gut says that with more severe hearing loss, the hearing aids will get better results. But, if/when I 'need' hearing aids I would prefer analogue, continuity, wired, over wireless,, and if there is any digital it is True Multibit.
On the one hand we have high and higher sound quality for the music listener, and on the other only a few dominant companies making hearing aids. It sounds like the later is pretty much run by people who's thinking is close to CDs/digital is perfect sound forever, and MP3 sounds the same, and all amps sound the same, and wireless is also ...etc..
The hearing aid industry is, I would guess, dealing with medical devices. That comes with a lot of regulation. (One of my best quips of recent months was, I'm generally opposed to government regulation. .... Except when I' flying in a plane.) I'm not saying Schiit or even Sony should try to break into that industry. But, just like you can buy "reading glasses," there may be a legal way to market "better sound for all."
My sense, with slowly increasing hearing loss in the speech zones, is I still enjoy music, live, amplified recording. And, high quality sound reproduction compared to MP3 quality of worse I can hear and prefer the former. This can open up a looong discussion. Maybe it should be moved to another forum on Head-fi.

 

[CAPT Deadpool]

This is an article from Slate (online) magazine from a few months ago.
Title and subtitle:

Digital Hearing Aids Turn the Whole World Into a Giant MP3 File
The world has rediscovered the virtues of analog sound. Why has the hearing aid industry gone completely digital?

Link: https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/hearing-aids-digital-analog-sound-music.html
Doing some research, I found that here on head-fi is a thread about using headphones over hearing aids. That says to me how stultified the hearing aid technology is.
On the rest of the internet I found various mic-amp combination devices that amplify the surrounding sound. Those can be plugged into headphones and maybe hearing aids.
I read several years ago that someone(s) had designed an app that a user could test their hearing with using a cell phone and headphones? earbuds? The US govt. decided that was practicing audiology without a license. I think that app is down, but also read about that time that there are other apps for using a cell phone, a mic amp combo and wireless earbuds/headphones as an alternative to hearing aids. A major motivation is it can be done for less cost that way, and some have said they get better sound.
My gut says that with more severe hearing loss, the hearing aids will get better results. But, if/when I 'need' hearing aids I would prefer analogue, continuity, wired, over wireless,, and if there is any digital it is True Multibit.
On the one hand we have high and higher sound quality for the music listener, and on the other only a few dominant companies making hearing aids. It sounds like the later is pretty much run by people who's thinking is close to CDs/digital is perfect sound forever, and MP3 sounds the same, and all amps sound the same, and wireless is also ...etc..
The hearing aid industry is, I would guess, dealing with medical devices. That comes with a lot of regulation. (One of my best quips of recent months was, I'm generally opposed to government regulation. .... Except when I' flying in a plane.) I'm not saying Schiit or even Sony should try to break into that industry. But, just like you can buy "reading glasses," there may be a legal way to market "better sound for all."
My sense, with slowly increasing hearing loss in the speech zones, is I still enjoy music, live, amplified recording. And, high quality sound reproduction compared to MP3 quality of worse I can hear and prefer the former. This can open up a looong discussion. Maybe it should be moved to another forum on Head-fi.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=TlfJEm68&id=05684DE4725B06414726AAB0DEE7B007F09AFBC8&thid=OIP.TlfJEm686RmyArTulVxaxAAAAA&mediaurl=http://www.artsjournal.com/dewey21c/tin%20ear.jpg&exph=336&expw=448&q=tin+ear&simid=608004447473763319&selectedIndex=2

You live up to your name!



Change of conversation.

I recently purchased this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KRWYN4R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It splits off the audio from an HDMI signal into rca SPDIF and optical/Toslink SPDIF. While still passing the video on to your TV or display.

Why?

I'm using it to turn my old Apple TV 4th Gen and an old TV into a stereo streaming source for my 2-Channel System (Modi Multibit, Freya 1, 2x ACAs via XLR, Zu Druid IVs).

For $20 I've added a HDMI input to my Schiit. So if your wishing Schiit would add an HDMI input to their DACs; this is a reasonable solution. (Disclaimer: this has to be Chinese made at this price but at least Amazon is behind it and as far as I know there is no equivalent U.S. made equipment. I don't know yet if it dumbs down the audio stream as my Modi does not indicate bit rate and depth received; but the sound quality sounded just fine to me on initial listening).

 

[Paladin79]

Given all of the stress I've put my ears through, I'm still happy I can hear to about 13.5khz, but even that is with a -3 to -6 db rolloff starting around 10khz. And I'm only 36. Blame firearms, loud music, industrial jobs, etc. This year I started using hearing protection when mowing the lawn or blowing snow. I should probably look into the pro level protection.

You should look into it. Rock concerts are my biggest concern now, other loud noises are more easily planned for. There is even quiet tape for tape guns, even those can be loud in a confined space.

 

[roadcykler]

Tinnitus is not the result of loud noise or an ear problem per se.
Deafness is.

The Mayo Clinic and just about every other hearing specialist disagrees. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156

 

[ScubaMan2017]

Thanks. I always like to see the Valhalla 2 get a little time in the limelight. Truly an excellent amp punching well above its price-class.

One thing I would disagree with is the statement that tubes only last 500 hours. I suspect that 5000 hours is more typical for the class of tubes used by VH2. Likely a typo.

I ordered a pair of 600 ohm Beyerdynamic cans for my hot-glowing-toaster-lava-lamp perched on top of my listening nook. 100% silliness (I have all the headphone that I need). At double the impedance of my other cans, I’m really curious of the SQ outcome. Oh, them glowing orbs...
So ~5000h tube life, eh. Nice. For casual worknight listening, I’ll still fire up my newly-aquired Asgard 2 (as part of the classic stack). I’m one of THOSE people who neurotically turn the power toggle on-and-off nightly.

 

[ScubaMan2017]

Tinnitus is not the result of loud noise or an ear problem per se.
Deafness is.

I find it a weird, weird phenomena. As I understand it... my aggravating condition is the result of my brain. There’s no physical damage to my middle/inner ear. I use MyNoise dot Net applications to mask the perceived-sound (or whatever my perception is of that whine). Weird....

{{{edit}}} Oh... crap. @roadcykler ... I didn’t see your link (I regret the shot-from-the-hip). I’ll go and check it out and see what the Mayo Clinic has to say.

 

[David Aldrich]

Change of conversation.

I recently purchased this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KRWYN4R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It splits off the audio from an HDMI signal into rca SPDIF and optical/Toslink SPDIF. While still passing the video on to your TV or display.

Why?

I'm using it to turn my old Apple TV 4th Gen and an old TV into a stereo streaming source for my 2-Channel System (Modi Multibit, Freya 1, 2x ACAs via XLR, Zu Druid IVs).

For $20 I've added a HDMI input to my Schiit. So if your wishing Schiit would add an HDMI input to their DACs; this is a reasonable solution. (Disclaimer: this has to be Chinese made at this price but at least Amazon is behind it and as far as I know there is no equivalent U.S. made equipment. I don't know yet if it dumbs down the audio stream as my Modi does not indicate bit rate and depth received; but the sound quality sounded just fine to me on initial listening).

The good news for those with deeper pocket books is that US made versions that meet modern 4k60 4:4:4 HDMI throughput do exist.

https://bzbexpress.com/FC-46H2-4K-H...y-Kramer.html#product-details-tab-tab22297647

The bad news is they are quite spendy because they are built for the pro world where reliability are much more important. I have a much cheaper older model of that and it is a great piece of kit once you get past the sticker shock.

Kramer AV makes some handy tools if you’re into weird setups that don’t revolve around a Reciever or Pre/Pro.

 

[Pietro Cozzi Tinin]

The Mayo Clinic and just about every other hearing specialist disagrees. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156

1. You're wrong.
2. No the Mayo Clinic does not say so nor are they always right and "just about every other hearing specialist" is really not correct at all.
3. As a medical doctor I'll stick to some advice here and will not discuss professional matters with a layman here on the forum.
4. Incorrect medical advice from laymen is really not a good idea.

 

[bochawa]

I recently purchased this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KRWYN4R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It splits off the audio from an HDMI signal into rca SPDIF and optical/Toslink SPDIF. While still passing the video on to your TV or display.

Why?

I'm using it to turn my old Apple TV 4th Gen and an old TV into a stereo streaming source for my 2-Channel System (Modi Multibit, Freya 1, 2x ACAs via XLR, Zu Druid IVs).

For $20 I've added a HDMI input to my Schiit. So if your wishing Schiit would add an HDMI input to their DACs; this is a reasonable solution. (Disclaimer: this has to be Chinese made at this price but at least Amazon is behind it and as far as I know there is no equivalent U.S. made equipment. I don't know yet if it dumbs down the audio stream as my Modi does not indicate bit rate and depth received; but the sound quality sounded just fine to me on initial listening).

I use my TV's optical digital audio output to convert HDMI sources (AppleTV, Roku) into SPDIF which then goes to a Modi Multibit. The TV has a setting to always output PCM stereo and not Dolby digital.

 

[Pietro Cozzi Tinin]

I find it a weird, weird phenomena. As I understand it... my aggravating condition is the result of my brain. There’s no physical damage to my middle/inner ear. I use MyNoise dot Net applications to mask the perceived-sound (or whatever my perception is of that whine). Weird....

Yes it is weird. The point is. As long as people think they should threat it as an ear defect (witch it sometimes but mostly is not) instead of the more sensible searching for neuro/vasculair etc reasons, the resulting problem solving will not work. That makes comments as that from @roadcykler and (if you can't read that well) from the Mayo Clinic very nasty. Like those people raging against vaccination.

{{{edit}}} Oh... crap. @roadcykler ... I didn’t see your link (I regret the shot-from-the-hip). I’ll go and check it out and see what the Mayo Clinic has to say. [/QUOTE]
Better read some real literature from people who know how to simplify in a way that doesn't make it un-true.

 

[Derrick Swart]

Yes it is weird. The point is. As long as people think they should threat it as an ear defect (witch it sometimes but mostly is not) instead of the more sensible searching for neuro/vasculair etc reasons, the resulting problem solving will not work. That makes comments as that from @roadcykler and (if you can't read that well) from the Mayo Clinic very nasty. Like those people raging against vaccination.

{{{edit}}} Oh... crap. @roadcykler ... I didn’t see your link (I regret the shot-from-the-hip). I’ll go and check it out and see what the Mayo Clinic has to say.

Better read some real literature from people who know how to simplify in a way that doesn't make it un-true.[/QUOTE]
i say to all with nose/ear problems to swim in cold sea. Cleans fantastically those important open spaces and also good for blood circulation. Brrrrr feels so good