How long does 'ear ringing' after a concert usually last for?

[organ]

Went to see Akercocke last night in a tiny venue and my left ear is still ringing. This is the fourth extreme metal concert I've been to but don't remember the ringing lasting this long. It's been over 24hrs. It's not as bad as it was after the show but it's still there. Everything sounded muffled this afternoon but everything is fine now except for the constant high frequency ringing. It was a great show. Only about 40 people showed up and I was right against the stage. Got to shake the band members hands after the show and the bassist gave me his set list. Very cool. Neck is still hurting from head banging and my right knee is still bruised because the pit was right behind me. I'm bringing ear plugs next time and will only take them off during my favorite songs.

Maurice

[danger boy]

should go away in a few days.. but constant loudness like concerts will do long term damage to your hearing. I suffer from some hearing loss in my left ear because of the same thing. I attended quite a few concerts when i was in high school and loud dance clubs as an adult. I would always end up right near the speakers.

now i wear ear plugs to concerts.. i don't want to do any more damage to my ears. :(

[gidrah]

Even temporary hearing loss isn't good. Ringing is never good. Ringing for an extended period is a very bad sign. I don't want to come across as your mother or anything, but you have to admit the obvious fact that your ears are THE most important single thing in the pursuit of musical bliss.

This may sound old fogeyish, but I have suggested (and do personally) that people carry a pair of ear plugs in their pocket when going to see a live show. Sometimes the venue dictates the need to carry the sound over a large room. This dictation doesn't do you any good when you are up front. Some bands often carry the same gear from gig to gig and set it at the same levels regardless ("But this one goes to 11!). Any of the concerts that I've been at where I felt the need for protection had a very bright and grainy sound to the highs anyways. The earplugs actually made it sound better.

Here's one for you guys:
While at work, I find that I can actually hear the radio better with my earplugs in. It seems to diminish the random noises and higher freguency noises produced in a factory that is largely air driven (and doesn't have area rugs or recliners:) ).

If worst comes to worse, you and Sid can take sign language classes.

[organ]

Thanks for the tips guys.

DB,
I don't go to clubs so I only get hearing damage at concerts. But metal concerts are so damn loud. I made sure I was at the center because the left and right speakers were damn loud especially at areas where the horns are pointing right at you.

Gidrah,
Don't worry it's all good. It's my fault for not bringing ear plugs. I always get so juiced up before a show that I forget about the plugs. I waited 3 years for these guys to come here from London, England. I'll remember to bring plugs next time. I mean, even though it won't be as loud, I'll still be able to feel my guts turning inside out from the insane bass.

Do you guys think it's safe to take them off for 3 or 4 songs?

Maurice

[PolkThug]

My ears rang for three days after a RATT/Poison concert in the mid 80's.

[faster100]

I hope the ringing go's away for ya, 5 years ago i was doing some target shooting, New gun no ear protection... My ears rang bad for 2 -3 days where i couldnt hear good.. then they were ok, Only bad thing is i still hear ringing 5+ years later in both ears... So be careful..

[exalted512]

i think im going deaf for sure...
just got my new subs...heres the top of my cab:
http://www.tamor.org/members-rigs/al...j/p5170042.mov
video of the sub's excursion
http://home.comcast.net/~x6369x/vids/excursion.wmv
the frame never freezes...the sub is moving so fast it doesnt pick it up...
also, if you look at the shadow of net you can see it vibrating...its hard to tell but in real life its pretty visible
all that at only a third of their thermal power handling
-Cody

[scottnbnj]

i don't know if it is a great idea while your ears are still bleeding, but, earwax remover with the bulb thingy is a priceless tweak. i don't know how but i sense it helps lessen frequent ringing. if you've never done it before, you might be surprised what all can be hiding in there.

)

[gatemplin]

Organ,
(not trying to bitch at you) I think that the ringing is called Tinnitis and is a sign that you have done some permanant damage. Apparantly, if it happens too many times the ringing never goes away.

While at work, I find that I can actually hear the radio better with my earplugs in. It seems to diminish the random noises and higher freguency noises produced in a factory that is largely air driven

Yeah I noticed the same thing. When working in garages, I can hear the radio at least as well with plugs.

[steveinaz]

This isn't music related, however, when in basic training in 1982, during a night fire exercise, my left earplug fell out. Well, needless to say an M60 machine gun makes some serious noise and my ears were hummin' for about a week. The following week everything was distorted/crackly in that ear. Finally, after about a month, my ear went back to normal.

I was seriously panicking, I though I had busted my ear drum or something.

[bikezappa]

When at loud concerts I use the filter tip end of a cigarette as a cheap ear plug. You can also use toilet paper, hopefully unused, as a substitute.

The hearing never goes completely back to what it was, sorry.

[pixiedave]

Originally posted by faster100
I hope the ringing go's away for ya, 5 years ago i was doing some target shooting, New gun no ear protection... My ears rang bad for 2 -3 days where i couldnt hear good.. then they were ok, Only bad thing is i still hear ringing 5+ years later in both ears... So be careful..

shooting high power rifles and hundreds of concerts, I have perma ring too.

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by faster100
I hope the ringing go's away for ya, 5 years ago i was doing some target shooting, New gun no ear protection... My ears rang bad for 2 -3 days where i couldnt hear good.. then they were ok, Only bad thing is i still hear ringing 5+ years later in both ears... So be careful..

Ditto, 15 years for me courtesy of a 44 magnum... Left ear has a semi-permanent, high-pitched whistle in it.. may be whay others refer to as a ring...

Subsequent hearing tests show a steady decline in HF sensitivity. Now that ear fatigues fairly easily at concert level SPL's.

Ear plugs.. yup. The cigarette filter is also a great idea in case you forgot.. also more "macho"...

And the ringing is called tinnitus

[organ]

Well, the ringing is now gone. I was starting to get worried. It was barely there last night and now it's gone. Really scared me because when I was listening to my rig, the center image had shifted slightly to the right but now it's back where it's suppose to be. No more ringing in my left ear. I'll remember to bring ear plugs on the next concert. That will be Dec 11 for Cradle of Filth and Nightwish will also be around Dec. Yeah!

Maurice

[madmax]

Would someone get the damn phone!:D

Seriously, if you are hearing any ringing after a concert you have taken a serious chance with your hearing. Wear freakin earplugs, it isn't worth it to loose even a little of your hearing for a lifetime just to go to a few "unprotected" concerts. From you especially, ORGAN, I am very surprised at your actions. Those tubes probably sound a little more SS like now.

madmax

[organ]

I feel really stupid for it. I did told myself after the last show (last year) that I'm going to start using ear plugs but completely forgot this time.

I knew about the show over a week prior but thought I couldn't go because I had night school. The teacher let us out early (7:30), doors open at 8:00. I got home after 8:00, called the club to find out if I can purchase my ticket at the door and they said yes. I ate dinner, grabbed my jacket and took off wihout thinking about protection. I missed the first 2 opening bands. Only when I was a few doors down from the club and heard the loud sound did I realize, ****, I forgot ear plugs. I won't go to another show unprotected.

Maurice

[Tour2ma]

organ,
Also remember that the "acute" episode you just experienced is just one in a series of events that have and will occur through your life.

Recovery is never complete, so there is an accumulative, or "chronic", effect...

max,
Answer the damn phone... that was me calling... :D

[Billm57]

went to see Black Sabbath in 1973..i was in the 20th row of The International Amphitheater in Chi-Town..i had ringing for well over a week