So I’m looking for methods of reducing hearing damage while DJ’ing.
I am DJ’ing three nights a week in a club with a less than optimally set up Soundsystem. It is extremely loud and it’s in very close quarters. I realized when looking at the external mixer’s multimeter the other day that it has been WAY LOUDER in there lately than it ever has been prior, and that’s because I’ve been turning it up because I don’t think it’s loud enough.
I’ve had a few REALLY loud nights lately. I opened for the Bingo Players in a club that was also WAY TOO LOUD, and then went to my residency just afterwards. My ears were ringing all day the next day.
This is starting to concern me. I’m considering investing in a pair of in ear monitors with a limiter built in (to prevent any dangers they may hold).
I’m only 20, so it’s particularly concerning. I just ordered a MultiMeter off Amazon and have read all of the DJTT articles on the topic. I THINK I’m starting to hear a high pitched shriek in the background, but it could just be me going crazy.
Do you guys know of any way of reducing any present dangers to hearing when DJ’ing? Do you have any stories about Tinnitus?
Custom molded ear plugs are your BFF. IEM’s are good…but you will likely only wear them when you are mixing. Custom plugs can be worn the whole time you are in the club…and can be used under headphones.
I was having pretty much the same problem and was looking to protect my hearing because the over the ear headphones weren’t working. I use the Shure SE215’s myself. Great entry-level IEMS I would say, but there are other models. It lists up to 37 dB isolation. I used to have problems with hearing after my shows, but now it is not a problem anymore for me. I use the softflex sleeves instead of the foam.
I’ll point to this suggestion. I did this for years – in the club and under headphones.
It covers the cases where you don’t have control over the monitor levels, or where some other person/fool is driving them to the max.
I found once the plugs drop the volume level I felt I had a greater overall clarity to the sound, and found it easier to mix. But at first when you put them in it feels a bit muffled; give your ears time to adapt. I used to pop them in the moment I entered the club, not just when on the decks.
The link I posted is for custom molded ear plugs. I had mine done by an Audiologist for the same price as the home kit. If I lost mine, I’d pay a rush charge to get them replaced.
The ER-20’s are still WAY ahead of foam plugs or nothing, but they are not comfortable to wear for more than an hour or two at a time…and can not be worn under headphones. For short term wear while you are hanging out in a club…they are OK.
Is the ER-15 the best one for a DJ? compared to the ER-9 and the ER-25
I live in Brazil, so what is the best thing for me to do? Buy the ER-15 (it will be a kit I guess) and take it to an audiologist to make the right mold for my ear?
I have the ER-15, and that works well for DJing. Without earplugs, I have the headphone volume set on “2-ish”…with the earplugs I turn the headphones up to about “7”. If you already monitor really high…that may be an issue.
I would contact the audiologist and see if they have the kits on hand already or if they prefer to order the kit for you, and go from there. I have some ringing in the ears (early Tinnitus)…so I also got a baseline hearing screening. I was “normal” for my age…but wanted to have some baseline to work with in the future. I also talked to the ENT about things I can do to help mitigate damage from long term exposure. That was a good conversation to have.
The home kit can be done at home…but you will need a helper.
I purchased custom moulded ear plugs from ACS about 6 months ago and I wish I had bought them 6 years ago!
My left ear is pretty damaged; I suffer with constant ringing in both ears and my left ear is constantly duller than my right, waiting to get them checked by ENT.
I originally bought the ACS Pro-17s but have since purchased the Pro-26 filters and wear these all night, even when I’m DJing.