Earbuds Cause Damage to Ears?

[Illuminous_Grin]

I read somewhere that wearing earbuds whilst drumming can damage your hearing and cause you to lose sensitivity to some levels of sound.

Can someone please comment on this? I've been using earbuds to protect my hearing for around a year now and, if the above is true, I'm guessing I should stop.

The 'earbuds' I use are from some sennheiser earphones which broke:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Labs-EP-630-A-Earphones/dp/B0009G6FQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244128297&sr=8-1

[dairyairman]

i'm pretty sure it's only a problem if you have the volume turned up really loud.

[MadJazz]

i'm pretty sure it's only a problem if you have the volume turned up really loud.

In fact, any sound source directed immediately to your inner ear can damage your hearing. The volume is louder than you think. It's safer when the sound is being dispersed before arriving to your ears.

[trysthedrummer]

Yes, those in-ear phones are quite dangerous , just never have it turned up 'loud'. I always keep mine about mid range, but I reckon people not in the know have them whacked up. The ear drum is very sensitive and can pick up alot, keep it that way!

[caddywumpus]

I prefer using ear plugs with over-the-ear muffs. Bone conduction transfers a LOT of sound, without directly damaging your timpanic membrane. Just like all things related to your hearing, though, you've got to be careful with it...

[masonni]

Earbuds like those are to be used with a CD or MP3 player, not something like live music.

If you get professioanl In-Ear monitors, then you will be OK as long as the volume isn't too high. And you should never need to crank the volume, because they are designed for noise isolation.

This is what I use:

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/products/superfi/superfi5pro_description.php

Check those out...

[Vipercussionist]

I read somewhere that wearing earbuds whilst drumming can damage your hearing and cause you to lose sensitivity to some levels of sound.

Can someone please comment on this? I've been using earbuds to protect my hearing for around a year now and, if the above is true, I'm guessing I should stop.

The 'earbuds' I use are from some sennheiser earphones which broke:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Labs-EP-630-A-Earphones/dp/B0009G6FQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244128297&sr=8-1

Any sound from any source that's too loud can damage your hearing. Speakers, earbuds, drums, running machinery, ANY of it can be too loud and put your hearing at risk.

Anyone who says different is kidding themselves.

[drums32]

i use skull candys and have to push them in hard to make em stay in i hope thats not damaging my ear is it?

[sticksnstonesrus]

Earbuds like those are to be used with a CD or MP3 player, not something like live music.

If you get professioanl In-Ear monitors, then you will be OK as long as the volume isn't too high. And you should never need to crank the volume, because they are designed for noise isolation.

This is what I use:

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/products/superfi/superfi5pro_description.php

Check those out...

I use the exact same ones. I think they're just about the best in-ear monitor for the cost. Comfy, durable, and sound great.

[Meat the beat]

Earbuds like those are to be used with a CD or MP3 player, not something like live music.

If you get professioanl In-Ear monitors, then you will be OK as long as the volume isn't too high. And you should never need to crank the volume, because they are designed for noise isolation.

This is what I use:

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/products/superfi/superfi5pro_description.php

Check those out...

I too use UE10's with custom moulds in my job, and like Nick says, these give me 23db of attenuation from outside sources, this allows you to turn down your monitor volume and keep your other band members volume to a dull roar... hence saving your precious hearing.

[eddiehimself]

This is why i use earmuff style isophones for my drumming. The sound is a lot better too. You simply can't get a decent sound out of a speaker that's only like 1/3 of an inch big, no matter how far you shove it into your ear. Those professional in ear monitors are pretty good for live use on terms of monitoring however they are very expensive. If you mostly drum at home then a nice pair of isophones like the vic firths are ideal. However if you play a few gigs and don't want to look like a bit of a prat then maybe just think of using an external monitor, then put some ear inserts in. This is a lot better for hearing protection since all the sound is protected by your hearing protection :).