Comment by davely
2 years ago
Exactly the same for me. I’ve had it for as long as I remember and chalk it up to going to too many punk rock shows as an angsty teen (and never wore ear plugs because I was “too cool”).
It’s always there for me but I usually forget about it and only notice it when something draws my attention to it.
According to an app I’ve used on my phone (Mimi Hearing Test), I have about 14db HL in each ear.
Somewhat related, but I just cannot follow conversations in a noisy environment, like a pub. All the background noise and chatter just washes out the voices of people I’m around.
Anyway, I now bring earplugs every time I go to a show.
> chalk it up to going to too many punk rock shows as an angsty teen (and never wore ear plugs because I was “too cool”).
The invulnerability of youth.
I used to do sound / PA stuff for live bands for some local events for older teens. One time we realised the kick drum was moving towards the edge of the platform it was on, with every kick. Dumbass that I was, a ran on stage with my trusty roll of duck tape, but without ear protection, and proceeded to duck tape the kick drum legs to the stage to provide extra resistance to movement. While the band was playing. I'd had a little bit of tinnitus before then, but that particular incident made it much worse, unsurprisingly enough.
Same for me, yup. Wasn't paying attention to it and... I did the dumb thing and read these comments. Oh well.
As for the loud show thing I was already wearing ear plugs back in 1980, never got into the blasting the speakers/headphones, and now I have both significant high frequency hearing attenuation and a 25 year old case of nicely balanced tinnitus. Oh well.