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Hearing Issues

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Wolf_Ref

Wolf_Ref

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So, I will keep this short.

I have some hearing loss (not due to refereeing), and as such, am having to be more aware of protecting my hearing. I am wondering if anyone else here uses any sort of earplugs etc.?

As a musician, I have moulded musician earplugs, but these are specifically to block out noisy sods like drummers, horn sections and other mouthy musicians. I am happy to fork out for quality, but not really sure what 'type' to get.

To add a bit more context, I have noticed ear discomfort recently when blowing the whistle (especially for longer blows).

Many thanks in advance, and I look forward to the "Sorry, can you say that again" gags!

T
 
The Ref Stop
SurreyWolves said:
So, I will keep this short.

I have some hearing loss (not due to refereeing), and as such, am having to be more aware of protecting my hearing. I am wondering if anyone else here uses any sort of earplugs etc.?

As a musician, I have moulded musician earplugs, but these are specifically to block out noisy sods like drummers, horn sections and other mouthy musicians. I am happy to fork out for quality, but not really sure what 'type' to get.

To add a bit more context, I have noticed ear discomfort recently when blowing the whistle (especially for longer blows).

Many thanks in advance, and I look forward to the "Sorry, can you say that again" gags!

T
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I am about to get hearing aids. I have perforated ear drums and bilateral conductive hearing loss.
Dont have any discomfort when blowing whistle though and won't wear them when reffing.
I can hear, just not very well.
 
JamesL said:
I am about to get hearing aids. I have perforated ear drums and bilateral conductive hearing loss.
Dont have any discomfort when blowing whistle though and won't wear them when reffing.
I can hear, just not very well.
Click to expand...
I do like not being able to hear the agro as much though.
 
SurreyWolves said:
So, I will keep this short.

I have some hearing loss (not due to refereeing), and as such, am having to be more aware of protecting my hearing. I am wondering if anyone else here uses any sort of earplugs etc.?

As a musician, I have moulded musician earplugs, but these are specifically to block out noisy sods like drummers, horn sections and other mouthy musicians. I am happy to fork out for quality, but not really sure what 'type' to get.

To add a bit more context, I have noticed ear discomfort recently when blowing the whistle (especially for longer blows).

Many thanks in advance, and I look forward to the "Sorry, can you say that again" gags!

T
Click to expand...
Have you thought about if this may ever have an impact on how players interact with you or even cause for smart ass comments? Something to think about and be prepared for.
 
one said:
Have you thought about if this may ever have an impact on how players interact with you or even cause for smart ass comments? Something to think about and be prepared for.
Click to expand...
I am sure some players will do so - and if they cross the line, I am always happy to help them on their way back to the dressing room! At the end of the day, my hearing health is more important than that.

But I have done my research, and recon these will be good. As a musician, this company is the way forward, they know their stuff!:

PRO26 Custom Earplugs

PRO26 Custom Earplugs Pro Series ACS PRO26 Custom EarplugsCustom made soft silicone earplugs with one of the strongest level-attenuating hearing protection filters available, offering protection from the most challenging sound environments.For info on Colour, Grips, Cording & Laser Etching...
www.acscustom.com
 
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SurreyWolves said:
I am sure some players will do so - and if they cross the line, I am always happy to help them on their way back to the dressing room! At the end of the day, my hearing health is more important than that.

But I have done my research, and recon these will be good. As a musician, this company is the way forward, they know their stuff!:

PRO26 Custom Earplugs

PRO26 Custom Earplugs Pro Series ACS PRO26 Custom EarplugsCustom made soft silicone earplugs with one of the strongest level-attenuating hearing protection filters available, offering protection from the most challenging sound environments.For info on Colour, Grips, Cording & Laser Etching...
www.acscustom.com
Click to expand...
Have you thought about trying a different whistle? A different tone and loudness maybe that causes less discomfort?
Unless you are reffing in front of big crowds, I can only see the whistle causing any hearing detrimental impact to the health of your ear.
I suppose the best advice is if you are worried about ear health etc is to go and speak with an audiologist or medical practitioner to understand your needs and make an informed decision of refereeing is detrimental to the health of your ear.
It sounds like you have sensitivity to a certain sound, or loudness. They can test this, I had to do it for my audiogram and they played loud sounds in my ears to see if I reacted to ensure the volume of hearing aids wouldn't cause discomfort.
 
SurreyWolves said:
So, I will keep this short.

I have some hearing loss (not due to refereeing), and as such, am having to be more aware of protecting my hearing. I am wondering if anyone else here uses any sort of earplugs etc.?

As a musician, I have moulded musician earplugs, but these are specifically to block out noisy sods like drummers, horn sections and other mouthy musicians. I am happy to fork out for quality, but not really sure what 'type' to get.

To add a bit more context, I have noticed ear discomfort recently when blowing the whistle (especially for longer blows).

Many thanks in advance, and I look forward to the "Sorry, can you say that again" gags!

T
Click to expand...
I am also a muso with a history of playing with loud drummers. A few years ago while studying I got Orelo moulded ear plugs when I realised I should start being careful as I entered my 40s.

I get tinnitus easily but mildly and fortunately for mixing etc. my hearing response is still pretty even with a typical but not major high end drop off.

I noticed that I get Valkeen-related mild tinnitus after difficult games. If it was every game then I’d change whistles. I have a Pearl just in case.

While you could put your moulded earplugs in (presumably -15 or -25 and probably quite consistent in the mids-tops) I think you are going to have all kinds of problems with speech intelligibility and ambient noises that help your alertness.

Also, even if the attenuation might be relatively even in the high end - if they are a perfect fit, not affected by sweat etc. - the actual frequency of your whistle might be less or more attenuated. Needs testing. (You could use a sweep test, esp if you have well calibrated monitors accessible)

But in the end...

Get a Pearl.

:)
 
Another option might be an electric whistle? At least when that goes off, you won't be holding it right near your ears, so might affect you less?
 
GraemeS said:
Another option might be an electric whistle? At least when that goes off, you won't be holding it right near your ears, so might affect you less?
Click to expand...
It's an option, but the problem with an electric whistle is you lose all of the communication that comes from the whistle.
Being able to vary tones and severity of the whistle (eg long hard blast for SFP, little pip for careless foul or play restart etc.) could lead to other match control issues.

I know hearing is more important of course but I'm really not a leccy whistle fan duento above
 
JamesL said:
It's an option, but the problem with an electric whistle is you lose all of the communication that comes from the whistle.
Being able to vary tones and severity of the whistle (eg long hard blast for SFP, little pip for careless foul or play restart etc.) could lead to other match control issues.

I know hearing is more important of course but I'm really not a leccy whistle fan duento above
Click to expand...
That's absolutely fair, however if the alternative is plugging your ears, that has its own set of communication issues!
 
one said:
Have you thought about if this may ever have an impact on how players interact with you or even cause for smart ass comments? Something to think about and be prepared for.
Click to expand...
There is/was a local referee who’d been officiating since Noah was a lad.

When players used to get on his back he just turned his hearing aids off.
 
zarathustra said:
There is/was a local referee who’d been officiating since Noah was a lad.

When players used to get on his back he just turned his hearing aids off.
Click to expand...
I've been told not to wear mine during exercise when I get them... 🤣
 
ReSound - the LINX Quattro best hearing aid have the outstanding capacity and giving the listeners full layered music quality similarly, loop earplugs, vibes high fidelity earplugs will be considered the best options
 
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