1/13: TINNITUS (NOT A BAND!), MUCH MORE.
Thanks to my guests Stephen Pearcy, Frank Hannon and Joe Holmes who called into my radio show last night. All have killer new music out you should check out. The Farmikos album I have been playing (Joe Holmes) is finally out this Thursday via Amazon and CDbaby.com.
Spoke last night about the effects of Tinnitus. A condition that creates a constant ringing in your ears that is non treatable. I had a hearing test yesterday because ever since I went to see Ace Frehley at BB Kings over 6 weeks ago I have had a slight ringing noticeable when I try and sleep and it’s quiet. My doctor said my hearing is within normal range still (how I do not know but I’ll take it!), but there were some very early signs of this being an issue. Now what I have is right now very mild, but this at more severe levels as you could imagine could drive you insane. So many times as a kid I’d come home from a loud show, ears ring for a day, then back to normal. When I was real young I worked at a car wash by the blower. Same deal. After 32 years in radio with headphones, countless concerts, in ears for TV, etc, and turning 50, well lets just say the recovery isn’t what it once was. Thankfully my situation right now is very manageable and still in normal limits, but I can’t imagine it really bad as it is for some especially musicians and concert goers. I write this as a heads up because it was pretty revealing to learn about this from an ear doctor yesterday. There is literally nothing they can do for it. So as us metal heads get older don’t be afraid to use plugs or some protection at shows. I’m as guilty as anyone of wanting to hear my favorite band cranked and everyone uses ear buds and headphones now. But I only pass along this friendly word of caution because this really is a huge problem for many exposed often to loud volume and it can be a total bitch of you don’t pay attention to it. Ever since I brought it up on my radio show last night I have heard from many about it so thought I’d pass along the new to all here for what it’s worth.
All new podcast this Thursday. New exclusive interview with Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. Free and worldwide on Itunes or www.podcastone.com
Hope to see you in Cincinnati at MVPs this Friday and in Oshkosh WI at The Dockside Tavern this Saturday.
TMS returns 2/21! Audience and guest info coming very soon!
Hey Eddie, what happened to our Rangers last night?? I mean the Islanders are a really good team as well, but come on, lose 3-0, at home? I mean I also like the Islanders, except when they play the Rangers! Agree 100% about Piazza, the BOF is as clueless as the R&RHOF, maybe more! 😉
I’m glad you mentioned this Eddie, it’s really important and I think a lot of people are too dismissive of it. I’ve had tinnitus since I was a teenager and started going to concerts and jamming with high school bands. I used to go to a lot of auto racing events too. Sometimes I would bring ear plugs, but didn’t always use them. After a show the ringing would subside for the most part, after a while it was always there – but thankfully at a very low level. I hardly noticed it unless I really focused on it. A few years ago I went to an AIC concert and my seats were just off the corner of the stage, but elevated at about the height of the PA system. I forgot to bring my plugs and didn’t bother to get up and at least find some tissue or something to stuff in my ears. It felt like one of the loudest shows I had ever been to. Afterwards, the ringing seemed louder and didn’t subside much. The next weekend I went to a club show for a couple of tribute bands, on the way out the door I grabbed my jacket that didn’t have my ear plugs in them by accident. I swear the band in the club was as loud as AIC was in the arena. We moved to the back after a while but it was already too late. The ringing in my ears after that was so loud I had trouble sleeping for weeks, and I honestly felt like it would drive me insane. It has never subsided, it just goes on 24/7/365 and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve learned to live with it, but I don’t think I could stand it getting any worse. I still need to have a hearing test and find out how much range I’ve lost. Everything I hear has this damned tone accompanying it. Unfortunately I’ve given up going to see live bands anymore except for a few shows I really don’t want to miss, and I cannot under any circumstances not use ear plugs anymore. I can’t risk cranking up my guitar amp at home either. I still love rock and metal as much as I ever have, it’s part of my DNA, but I’ve had to give up listening to it at full power because of this.
Tonight, The Jimmy Kimmel show is rocked harder than ever before!
I’ve had it since I can remember – all due to loud music. The worst damage ever done was when I went to see Steve Vai back in 94 or 95. Was so painful that I had to run to the back of the club to get ear plugs within the first 30 seconds. I could barely hear for 2 days. I’m so used to it at this point that it doesn’t bother me THAT much. But it does suck. I have to sleep with some form of white noise in our bedroom at night to help me get to sleep.
WEAR YOUR EARPLUGS, PEOPLE!!!!!
Hey Eddie, will there be a physical cd for Farmikos? All I keep seeing on both sites are downloads? I hope, since like you, I prefer my music on cds.
Same here, I want a Farmikos CD!
I don’t do downloads.