My Ears Are Ringing

When most people think of health, hearing is probably not one of the first things that comes to mind. For me though being obsessed with music my hearing is one of my main concerns. As a concert photographer I'm exposed to really loud music a few times a week. Usually I end up standing right next to the giant speakers that are playing the music loud enough to shake the venue.

My first concert where I was shooting and not just attending was the '09 Warped Tour. As I was new to this whole experience I was rather unprepared for that day. When I first got into the photographer/press pit I immediately realized just how loud the speakers were. When you're right next to them then can actually push you back if they're up loud enough (which has happened to me). Thankfully one of the security guards was nice enough to give me a extra set of ear plugs but the damage was done none the less. When I got home after spending all day by the speakers my ears were ringing incessantly. Luckily this stopped early the next day but some damage had been done. From then on I always tried to remember to bring ear plugs with me to limit the ear damage. I remembered to bring them most of the time but occasionally because I'm only human I forgot from time to time. Most times I could get away with this by hanging back from the stage when I wasn't shooting or covering my ears.

One time though neither of these worked because I was on stage and had no choice but to be next to the speakers. The Fall of Troy were on their Farewell Tour and they had a stop at The First Unitarian Church that I was lucky enough cover. After being on stage for all three bands I had to leave because my ears were hurting already. When I was over a friends house after the show I could barely hear what they were saying the ringing was so loud. This was the worse I ever hearing damage that I have experienced, it went on for three days, and even at the end of the third day my hearing wasn't what it was before the show, the ringing had just stopped. This really solidified in my mind that I needed to have ear plugs in at every show I attend wether its for entertainment or I'm taking pictures.

Hearing loss is something I've become terrified since that experience and ever since then I've done everything that I can to ensure that I wont go through that again. Not being able to hear a person sitting next to you talk even though you can see their lips moving is a fairly frightening experience. I'm hoping my ears can remain healthy for years to come.