concert ear plugs

Do your ears ring after shooting a gig?

We’ve all come out of a gig and felt our ears ringing.

It may not seem the most obvious peice of kit to have in your camera bag but ear plugs should be top of the list.

Here are a few reasons why you should ALWAYS wear earplugs when shooting live concerts

Most music festivals will have ear plugs at the side of stage so you can help yourself although music venues however rarely have them available so its up to you to protect yourself.

Why should I bother?

The ringing in your ears is a warning sign and it doesn’t take alot to damage your ears permanetly by developing a condition called tinnitus

There is no cure for hearing damage or tinitus

Advice from a professional music photographer

David Redfern - www.davidredfern.com

Legendary music photographer and founder of Redferns picture agency talks to Musicphotographers.co.uk

“Maybe I’ve been lucky because when I started ear plugs where not the norm, and I do remember standing in front of those Who or Led Zepplin speakers thinking I can’t take much more of this. Of course I never did many heavy metal gigs which must have been the worst. A lot of what I do now is outdoor festivals & in general in those pit’s the sound goes over my head most of the time.
But of course I’ve sat in front of many a big band or jazz orchestra and loved it, with no ill effect.
My golden rule now is always carry a couple of sets of ear plugs in each camera bag, I’ve done that I suppose for the last 30 years or so, but in fact don’t use them that often, but good to know they are always ready. The worst sight in a photo pit is a photographer screwing up tissue paper to make ear plugs, it might deaden the sound a bit but it doesn’t stop the damage.”

Musicians with tinitus due to loud music.

Bono, The Edge, Pete Townsend, George Harrison, Sir George Martin, Neil Young, John Entwhistle, Jeff Beck, Sting, Eric Clapton, Kevin Shields, Phil Collins, Mick Fleetwood, Will.i.am

More information and advice

Action on hearing loss (www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk) Action on Hearing Loss is the new name for RNID

‘Don’t Lose The Music’ campaign (www.dontlosethemusic.com) is aimed specifically at musicians, DJs, clubbers and concert-goers

What to look out for

SNR is the European scale and NNR is the US scale for ear protection.

SNR 39  and NNR 33 are both high protection foam ear plugs.

 

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