Comments on: In-Ear Monitors: Don’t Use Just One! (Updated)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 15:26:13 +0000

This is interesting. I only use one iem but I have the opposite problem. No matter what I do they always feel or too low to actually hear anything or too loud that they cause pain and trigger migraines. (My highest setting is still usually way to low for most people.) I cannot stand using both at the same time because of the pain. I keep them very very low on volume, and I often turn them off to give my ear a rest or alternate ears. I generally keep my ears very clean, no excessive ear wax. I don't have any ear pain problems unless I'm using in ear anything. I can enjoy really loud concerts or music from speakers no problem. I miss using stage monitors so much, but sadly my church has decided that we all use iem's for worship.

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:04:29 +0000

Mimi, tell you what if I were you I would consult with an audiologist about getting your monitors right, still protecting your hearing because I assume you intend to keep singing and I hope you do. I imagine you're not alone in this paradox. If you do consult a doctor who specializes in in this and you get your solution, please comment back and let us all know! Thank you

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 02:30:42 +0000

I hear you, Anonymous, but please read the scientific findings I quote in my article. Your brain is indeed involved in binural summation of audio volume. When people damage their ears over time doing things like habitually wearing in-ears only on one side, they can be unaware until it's too late to do anything about it. You are of course free to do it at your risk, but it's been scientifically demonstrated to be dangerous to hearing.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 02:24:12 +0000

Thank you for the article. I found it helpful. I actually own a pair of Sensaphonics in ear monitors and, although they're great, they have been very persnickety over the years and needed repairs many times. I've tried all the methods you've suggested, and I found that allowing them to loosely be in your ears sometimes works best. Obviously, if you have a fabulous mix with your properly fitted in ear monitors, it can be a wonderful experience, but as a singing guitar player, sometimes the best thing for me is to hear the music bouncing off the walls, so to speak. I think the thing that is missed at times is the assumption that people will automatically start turning up they're in ear monitors if they pull one out may not be true. I often times play at my church where everybody wears in ear monitors, and I will take one almost all the way out while I have one in properly. I never turn them up loud at all, and there are no wedge monitors blasting back at me. I think it's important to note that nothings going to go wrong with your brain to my knowledge by only using one of your IEMs. But if you crank up the volume on the one that's in and get blasted by a loud PA with the one that's out, you may be in for a problem.

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 02:04:15 +0000

You are most welcome!

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 22:38:02 +0000

HA… Mr. Goobers; glad you've decided that:) One must have good ears to continue as musician!

By: Mr. Goobers

Mr. Goobers — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 22:36:51 +0000

I had one in ear fall out during worship this morning and my ear is still ringing. Never making that mistake again. The band can go without my guitar for a minute while I fix it!!!

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:30:03 +0000

Terrific, thank you so much, Jack! And thank you for the great product:)

By: Jack Kontney/Sensaphonics

Jack Kontney/Sensaphonics — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:19:22 +0000

Great post, Judy! Just shared it on the Sensaphonics FB page.

By: Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:19:50 +0000

Important advice, and it makes sense. I'm sure if you don't heed it, you'll regret it when you're older.