I'm gigging a lot in care homes. I play with my backing tracks at a reasonably loud level.
I've been trying to be really careful with my ears over the last year, since noticing some tinnitus.
I have two sets of custom moulded earplugs which I use with a 17db filter. The overall level of sound I'm hearing in the care homes even before insetting the earplugs is probably around 85 db.
However, the issue I've had is the 'occlusion' effect. I hear 'my voice' louder than anything else. The current set of earplugs are the best yet for reducing this effect, having been made slightly longer, and also with an 'open jaw' impression. Not bad. Also, I've adapted my singing style a little to try and change the 'hmm' sounds which seem to vibrate the loudest.
Anyway, my ears are definitely ringing louder still after gigs. If I do two (sometimes three) in a day, I notice it's worse.
I feel like sometimes the earplugs are actually causing me more issues! By 'boosting' the sound of my voice I'm still being subject to something loud within my ear canal.
I toy with the idea of ditching the earplugs, but the times when I have the volume always creeps up over the gig. Another issue with these gigs is that I walk around in front of the speaker, and also crouch down at 'speaker level' in order to interact with residents.
Any ideas guys?
As a side note : I've tried a few sets of noise cancelling headphones and interestingly, they massively reduce the occlusion/voice volume in the ear canal too. I wonder if this could be a potential solution.
Written by
Fulltimemuso
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Hello - Unfortunately I don’t have a solution to your problem only to suggest that as you’ve started to notice tinnitus and other problems it could be a warning sign. What does worry me is there could be many residents in the Care homes who suffer with tinnitus and perhaps dementia as my sister did so whilst I am sure they get pleasure from your visits, please ensure for all your sakes that the volume is moderate.
It's a fair point, and I do try! Like a lot of music performances though it needs to be a certain volume in order to create some excitement and energy. For them it's a one off performance I like to think I get it about right. However, for me that performance is happening 6 - 10 times per week, every week. So while they are probably ok, I'd be overloaded with sound exposure.
Very occasionally, someone will tell me it's too loud. Usually I'm checking in with them throughout the hour to make sure the sound is ok.
Thank you and I’m sure they love you being there! My sister was lucky enough to be in a wonderful Care Home fot the last seven years of her life and I know how much the residents used to look forward to some entertainment. My reference to a warning for yourself was about six months before I lost my hearing in one ear (due to Labyrinthitis) music didn’t sound as it should to me but I ignored it and still listened through headphones, probably too loudly!! I now have musical ear syndrome which is hearing undefined repetitive music 24/7!! Take care x
Hi there Fultimemuso. I think I may have responded to you before. I was in a heavy metal band for 20+ years(playing guitar and lead vocals), I do the odd solo gig now, not as many as you though! I find, as a singer, any type of earplug that jams in the ear canal, always increases the sound of your voice inside your head. Way louder than any amp. It also creates a pressure which I find spikes my T. I use docs pro plugs vented, which don't jam in the ear canal. They just take the edge of the sound. But I still get T spikes if I gig too often. You may be on to something with the headphones also, though I find good headphones also create a pressure when singing. Is there any way you can put the amp out front so your behind it. I've recently done a few small gigs just with an acoustic guitar and my own made backing tracks coming through a bluetooth speaker with my vocals not even on mic. Its much more chilled and lower in volume!! You need to do something or your going to wreck those ears friend. Take care and if you come across something make sure you post it up.
Hi thanks, yes I quite like the idea of some nice quiet gigs! Although, even with an acoustic guitar and voice - it can be pretty loud once the audience get going. How do you find the Docs plugs for singing - do you still get that 'loud booming voice' effect?
Slightly less than in ear pugs but yes, its next to impossible to eliminate your own voice as its inside your head!! If I'm doing acoustic I don't use the plugs at all as they're next to no benefit. To be honest this is why I scaled back on my gigs. None of my band mates have tinnitus or hearing loss. Its no coincidence that being the singer I have hearing loss!! Short of getting yourself a singer I'm not sure how to advise you on this one!😂
Ok, thanks for this. So here's the thing and you will understand this as another muso!
The ACS moulded plugs I have, go deeply into my ears and this is the basic way to stop the booming/occlusion effect. What I mean is the effect when you put your finger lightly into your ears and hum quite a soft high note, it's really loud. But if you press harder the sound reduces.
The ACS plugs work fairly well for this and are a reasonable solution. However, I'm having to change my style of singing. Previously I would create lots of resonance in the nasal cavity area, which was good for tone, and tuning but terrible for this booming effect.
Now I'm trying to sing more from the chest area, a deeper sound (probably better technique). This is better. Not bad, and I can gig a lot with the plugs.
The other issue is tuning. I need all the help I can get anyway. It's a nightmare to be honest. You just can't resonate with the room sound. It's separate. Guesswork. My best technique is to practice 'plugged up' with auto tune apps and headphones. Get used to it. I think it's worth it for me, as this care home singing has been the most successful thing I've done yet. Persevering for now anyway!
I understand all that too. If you can't hear yourself properly its hard to stay in tune. Luckily I worked in heavy engineering for 40yrs ( another reason for bad ears!!! ), so I have been able to retire early. I surf, cycle and walk lots. Have also went back to an old hobby of photography. I still do the odd gig and also record some stuff. Recording is always a problem when it comes to vocals too. Musically shielded headphones play havoc with my ears sometimes, as you probably know too, but there's no way round it when recording vocals!! Have you ever tried laying down your own vocal track on your music and have it running as a back up to reduce you having to shout as much. Never tried it personally though.
No probs. Your right. Sometimes too much forum time makes us focus too much on our own T. Just dipping in and out is the best approach. Although if we can help someone else a little bit its definitely a plus. Keep rockin.
The issue is more getting earplugs that it's possible to sing with, and minimise the 'booming voice/occlusion' effect. The ones I have are the best so far - but my voice is still pretty loud.
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