[TPIN] Ear protection

[Michael Anderson]

Friends,

I know this has been discussed before, but I need to bring it up again and
see if we can find some creative solutions.

I'm having more and more trouble playing my jobs due to the fact that I seem
to be consistently placed near the drums or timpani or cymbals. My ears have
taken a beating and it is getting worse. One rim shot and I have pain - dull
ache over my whole head and sometimes pointed pain in my ear and eyes.

Plexiglass shields don't fix it. I put a foam ear plug just resting in my
ear which blocks a little bit of it, but not enough to keep it from hurting.
I cannot play with either ear blocked at all. Just can't do it and I know
I'll never get used to it. I must hear myself and those around me directly.

I seem to always be complaining about this to others, but not enough to
really bug people to either move me or change the setup. In some cases I
would have to raise a MAJOR stink to get it to happen.. It often involves a
major setup change and/or moving people from a place they've been in for
years and years. Also, it sometimes would involve subjecting someone else to
the same hazard. No matter how legit my issue is, raising hell is not
ultimately the best solution. I don't have the kind of clout to be a PITA
and still get hired. Know what I mean?

So, I am looking for a high-tech solution. I know people who play in rock
bands who use in-ear monitors on stage. Of course this isn't an acoustic
environment which is where I normally perform, but I'm wondering if it could
be adapted as such.

My thought is, that if I mounted a small mic to my horn that I might be able
to use in-ear monitors to hear myself and those around me clearly enough to
play with the ears plugged. It is my understanding that the reason we can't
play with plugged ears is that we hear our own sound internally through the
skull and oral cavity rather than externally through your ear canal. I also
understand that those who use in-ear monitors can set it up so they hear
what they need to hear just fine while they play.

So, how should I proceed? It could be an expensive solution, but I need to
do something. I'm wondering if there is a way to test it before committing
to a big outlay of cash. How would you proceed if you were me in this
situation?

I'm interested in all ideas.

Thanks

MA