Does playing in a Pipe Band damage your ears?

[WJJagFan]

I had a tough time with conversations in noisy rooms before, and I haven't noticed much difference in the almost four years I've been playing the bagpipes. For a long time I never used earplugs even indoors, but I have started to use them now. I've been concerned about my son's hearing (an 11 year old drummer) so I bought about 10 sets of musician's earplugs and they seem to work very well. I still don't wear the earplugs when I play outdoors or in a large auditorium. I would guess that about half our band wear earplugs. About 25% wear earplugs all the time and the other 25% only wear them indoors.

[mkmound]

I had a tough time with conversations in noisy rooms before, and I haven't noticed much difference in the almost four years I've been playing the bagpipes. For a long time I never used earplugs even indoors, but I have started to use them now. I've been concerned about my son's hearing (an 11 year old drummer) so I bought about 10 sets of musician's earplugs and they seem to work very well. I still don't wear the earplugs when I play outdoors or in a large auditorium. I would guess that about half our band wear earplugs. About 25% wear earplugs all the time and the other 25% only wear them indoors.

"Musician's earplugs" . . . are these different from other types? Where do you get these?

[Doomsday]

"Musician's earplugs" . . . are these different from other types? Where do you get these?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/live/...=100001+304650

Is a good place to start. Your local music store should also carry a limited supply. Look to spend about $5.00 - $15.00 on a decent set.

[Doomsday]

"Musician's earplugs" . . . are these different from other types? Where do you get these?

This is a good place to start;
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/live/...=100001+304650

Your local music store will also carry some. Look to spend about $10-$25 on a nice high quality pair. In the end NOT a bad investment for your ears.

[mkmound]

This is a good place to start;
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/live/...=100001+304650

Your local music store will also carry some. Look to spend about $10-$25 on a nice high quality pair. In the end NOT a bad investment for your ears.

Thanks!!

[WJJagFan]

"Musician's earplugs" . . . are these different from other types? Where do you get these?

Doomsday's link is a good one. I paid about $10 a pair for the ones I've got. The difference I've noticed between the foam earplugs (which I occassionally use at work) and the musician's plugs is that you can actually converse with people fairly well and the music comes through better. I think the goal of these plugs is to simply reduce noise to a safe level while trying to retain some amount of sound clarity.

[morrison]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...ds/6402701.stm

Methinks that if one stands at the end of an airport runway when a jet takes off with a piping band piping at full throttle, the jet would blow them away!

[mkmound]

Methinks that if one stands at the end of an airport runway when a jet takes off with a piping band piping at full throttle, the jet would blow them away!

I know that pipers are noted for their bravery in the face of enormous opposition . . . but I don't think I'd want to stand down a jet at full throttle!!

[morrison]

I know that pipers are noted for their bravery in the face of enormous opposition . . . but I don't think I'd want to stand down a jet at full throttle!!

Neither would I. I believe a jet is much louder than a piping band, regardless of how many pipers in membership!