When playing drums, you need to make sure that it's played at a comfortable level. Drums that exceed the average human hearing (Ex: over 85 decibels) will cause hearing loss if played frequently.
The table below demonstrates the average decibel rating for the most popular drums that bands and performers tend to play.
Decibel Rating (dB)
21" ride (bell)
Snare (maximum rimshot)
14" hats (maximum/open)
18" china (maximum)
As you can see, drums are loud instruments that require drum ear protection to protect the user. Throughout this blog post, you’ll find out multiple methods on how to keep your ears safe so that you can fully utilize your drum kit.
Dangers Of Continued Noise Exposure
As we’ve stated earlier, continuous exposure to noise will result in a permanent hearing loss. On average, it takes 15 minutes of noise that’s around 100—115dB before you start to damage your hearing.
Neither hearing aids or surgery can fix this form of hearing loss. Certain sounds can lead to a short-term hearing loss. For example, you’ll experience ringing in your ears (tinnitus) or a small change in hearing (ears feeling stuffed).
While short-term hearing problems will go away after a few hours, repeated exposure will lead to permanent hearing loss.
Loud noises cause psychological and physiological stress, interfere with your concentration, and increases the chance of workplace accidents by making users unable to find out the warning signals.
Also, hearing loss makes you unable to understand speech, hear high pitch/frequency sounds, and impairs your ability talk to others or communicate. Because of this, you need to invest in drummer ear protection to protect yourself from long-term hearing loss.
What Are The Signs Of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
It usually begins subtly, meaning that you’ll be unable to hear sounds at higher frequencies. The sounds will appear muffled or distorted, and people will sound as if they’re mumbling. If there is background noise present, you’ll be unable to hold a conversation with someone else.
Having tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is another symptom of hearing loss. Since hearing loss is an insidious disease, you won’t notice it until someone suspects that you might have it. That’s why hearing protection for drummers is important as it can preserve your health so that you can continue playing.
What Is The Best Ear Protection For Drums?
The most important pieces a drummer can have is some form of ear protection. Playing the drums live can damage your ears over time due to its loud sound. Also if you’re apart of the audience in a concert, having ear protection allows you to play music while keeping your ears safe.
With the best ear protection for drummers, you’ll be able to enjoy music without it affecting your long-term health. Fortunately, they are inexpensive and provide high-quality sound reduction when it's in use. Here are the two most popular pieces of equipment that you should look into.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Instead of increasing the volume to remove unwanted external noises - which is bad for your hearing - noise canceling headphones help by removing the external sounds while preserving the original audio quality.
This means that you’ll be able to listen to music, play drums, watch movies, etc. at lower volumes. Using noise cancellation headphones is great for musicians who need to hear multiple sounds without being interrupted by background noise within their environment.
There are two different types of noise canceling headphones: Active Noise Cancellation and Passive Noise Cancellation.
Earplugs offer a quick way for ear protection. It’s placed in the user’s ears to protect your ears from outside sounds such as excessive wind, dust, water, or external bodies. Like noise cancellation headphones, they can be used to prevent hearing loss.
Some ear plugs are designed to protect your ears from excessive exposure to noise over 110 dB. You’ll see them useful in situations such as festivals, pop concerts, working in noisy environments, or for loud hobbies such as DIY or riding motor bikes.
Types Of Earplugs
Here are the two main types of ear protection:
Why do musicians use ear protection? Because it allows them to continue their profession. Each day musicians are surrounded by loud sounds either during studio recording sessions or through live performances.
That’s why you have to take care of yourself by buying a pair of earplugs or noise cancellation headphones. We’ll help you by reviewing some of the best drummer ear protection available.
Ultimately, buy some to ensure that you can continue playing music without putting your auditory health at risk.