Lars of Metallica speaks out on Hearing Damage

[koolalastarr]

Says the drummer of Metallica...

[KillEmAllOver]

hes got ringing is his ears because he hits his drums so godly loud

[bubbatvbitch]

danish donut

[JEKAZOL]

I got it too, but caught it before it got loud enough to be heard in the day time. To all metal players, guitar, bass, drums, what the fuck ever: WEAR EARPLUGS EVERYTIME YOU DO BAND PRACTICE!!! EVERY TIME YOU GIG!!! If you don't you'll fucking regret it.

[DragonWarrior7771]

@JEKAZOL Thanks for your concern. Yeah...I used to listen to alot of Bass is my truck but not anymore. I play metal as well(guitarist) but I usually need to wear my ear plugs because the amp ticks you off after a while of playing.

[JEKAZOL]

@DragonWarrior7771 Glad to help;)

[cmsasuke17]

this is a theory... i think i know why metallica sold out... its because lars hearing problem, and because of it he cant play thrash anymore so afterwards he had to resort to playing load and afterwards. it may makes since thrash commonly plays fast and alot of strumming on the guitar that all that ringing mustve fucked lars concentration on playing real music. so, with load and afterwards slowed down and not do alot of thrash rhythms. it may happen to james as well... who knows, just a theory.

[TheCondemnedProphet]

@cmsasuke17

No they could have earplugs to protect their ears so that theory is closed.

[WMGsuck]

@cmsasuke17 They sold out because they make good music, as easy as that

[Spunkalish]

Most people generally have a mild form of tinnitus. Just thinking about it now I can hear a slight ringing in my ears. But most of the time I don't notice it. Not saying it isn't something I shouldn't be looking into though.

[nylonsteel]

Kinda ironic.Being metallicas one of the most loudest live band still to date lol

[dezziwood555]

it aint funny. I played in bands for years and my ears ring steadily. It is a good wwarning to you to be careful not to expose yourself to loud noise. I still play but wear special earplugs.

[D1Heavy]

What did he say????

[philsrh0809]

i couldnt hear him

[ki11uah]

they say 50 million americans experince tinnitus. if there is that much people suffering from it, why cant they make a cure? scientist are too occupied to find a cure for cancer.

[chernobleman]

@ki11uah because tinnitus isn't lethal like cancer. It just makes you wish you were dead, like discovering your wife is pregnant with a black baby lol.

[horrorflesh]

I wanna kill myself every time and lsiten to Lars Ulrich speak.....hes like a tottally retarded monkey.

[LosTutosDeFelix]

@horrorflesh Hes danish dude

[Zopetzo]

@horrorflesh then why do you come watch videos where Lars talks?

[horrorflesh]

@Zopetzo - Because im a metal retard like you and Lars.

[trogdor1oh1]

I'd call him a sellout, but he's reaching out on a very important topic that's been especially pissing me off lately.

[jjlwis]

aww FSI i miss your ear buds, they were the best!

[SAAHPACS]

Noise Destroys go to: w w w.saahpacs.com.au

There you will see the most advanced hearing protectors on the market today, that include both electronic Ear Muffs and Ear Plugs manufactured by Sensear in Australia.

On our web site in the Resources section, you can download brochures that outline the capabilities of the technology. You can also download a copy of the Access Economics Report titled "Listen Hear" THE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND COST OF HEARING LOSS IN AUSTRALIA.

[maindrag]

Please help my son. What therapy? What meds? Anything everything. He is very depressed.

[XXXkLeCiIj69XXX]

This goes for everyone who doesnt know.

It is normal to hear or feel a tiny vibration inside your head when its quiet, but if you note that the noise gets louder then see a doctor. And dont cranck up the headphones!

[MrBIOSkunk]

yeh he was taking a commission on the sales they made for the doctors and specialists looking into it - its lars he is a dick!

[HELLVIEWluvPWG]

I don''t want any of your drugs, Lars.

[Ibik]

Yup, both James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich has tinnitus.

[1216saab]

too many years playing in a band and playing loud music. Now `I'm paying for it with Hyperacusis,tinnitus,soft sound sensitivity and depression. Not worth taking chances.

[maindrag]

@1216saab What are you doing about it now? My son has it from

playing the drums and it is driving him crazy. We warned him and

bought him 200.00 plugs. meds? treatment?

[1216saab]

@maindrag Fortunately,My hyperacusis is gone and most of my tinnitus. i used trt therapy for 2 years and it gave me back my life. It works! Does your son have hyperacusis or tinnitus?

[87mmo]

This is right before they cut their hair

[xcapitanhookx]

Hahaha I remember seeing this commercial on TV in 1994 - my friend didn't believe me that Lars was on a hearing commercial haha

[grantytyta]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

[rocafella142]

I think i have just got Tinnitus, i was being a dumbass and cranked Death Magnetic up in my headphones..now i have this ring that has been lasting all day i've had ringing but it never lasted all day....hell it should be called Deaf Magnetic...i guess ill see when i wake up in the morning...

[rocafella142]

ok so ya...im sure now i have Tinnitus...im a fuckin dumbass..

[nederwiet1]

not good hope it's not permanet dude

[FadeToPuppets]

@rocafella142

Were you OK when you woke up?

[rocafella142]

@FadeToPuppets no i still have Tinnitus....i can forget about it becuase it can get really quiet and i dont even notice it. but after a car trip with music on or i go to a party or something its loud for a couple of hours then it gets quiet again. but its always there. I'm just glad it got quiet cuz the first month i had it, it was fuckin loud and i was really depressed. but now i can live my life again.

[FadeToPuppets]

@rocafella142

I have been listening to Music really really loud at max volume on my ipod now and I am going to stop..

I only hear a noise when everything is dead silent, but I heard that is normal. And I mean DEAD silent.

[rocafella142]

@FadeToPuppets yea you should stop. thats how i got tinnitus. its not worth it bro

[peder0204]

@FadeToPuppets thats how i got it to.. but stop now! dont worry everybody hear something when its dead silent(ironicly)

[Classdrummer95]

Hmm , you have hearing problems and you use a method of communication where hearing and listening is a distinct fucking advantage , thats cvlever

[kristofreynders]

wear earplugs xD

[beluesky]

Me ears started ringing almost 20 yrs ago. You get used to it, and I've lived in some pretty quiet places since then.

[erinb33]

everyone's tinnitus sounds different. For some its a buzzing sound. Some people hear chirping. I think most commonly its a ringing. It also varies in volume and level of annoyance. I'm glad you were able to get used to yours, but some people won't be able to. Just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone with bothersome tinnitus read that and thought they were abnormal.

[undulateor]

good comment.

[Dustin8872]

I've had tinnitus for about 3.5 months now. I never thought it would happen to me. Hell, I didn't even know such a condition existed.

And here I thought I would be running around with a hearing aid due to listening to loud music. I thought that would be the only drawback. Man, I sure was wrong...I'd take 50% hearing loss right here, right now just to stop this damn ringing.

[staraction]

i hear ya man, i've had tinnitus for over 5 years now and it had gotten worse over the years and because of that it cause me presbycusis which is major rapid hearing loss and now i got 85% hearing loss. The worst part is that i can still hear the BEEEEEEP 24/7. I can read lips and recently i got into ASL and i am going forward to wear my hearing aids.

[LoungePissings]

Go see a docter man, Tinnitus has several causes including infection. It's not totally certain you got it from loud music or sound. It just may be cureable

[Dustin8872]

I actually visited my doc and here's what he told me:

Doc: "Sorry, there's really nothing I can do for you. Your tinnitus seems to be a result of your hearing loss"

Me: "Isn't there any treatment I can try? What about a masker?"

Doc: "Maskers are only for severe tinnitus, which is tinnitus bad enough for someone to consider suicide. No other treatments will help you at this point."

Yeah, that news just made my day, lol. Oh well...I guess I'll just have to live with it.

Protect your ears!

[1216saab]

@Dustin8872 Not true TRT worked for me. My tinnitus was very loud 2 years ago but trt worked. It is now barely noticed. the dr. is an idiot.

[kingster911]

I'm sorry...what? Sorry, I was playing "Blackened" without earplugs as usual and didn't quite catch that message. I'm gonna go turn it up.

[En3usiast]

A serious subject...good to see rock musicians talking about it

[skate4life2022]

I called that number it still works!

[pwn00bsftw]

actually hes a danish hero hehe

[braddudeguy]

Lol. I have Tinnitus too! But that hasn't stopped me from blasting metal in my car.

[sparkydaskworl]

Tinnitus is the worst. I've had it six months now and it's severe. Weird thing? My ears had never, ever rung before (even after being next to the speakers at Beastie Boys where I could feel my chest wall moving) and I go to some generator-powered outdoor rave and come away with this shit. Protect your hearing kids. Don't think it can't happen to you.

[metallica4ev]

hows that selling out you moron? have you ever played on stage or even play drums for that matter? i doubt you have done both so im gusesing ure misinformed...and you can tell its a 80's recording so has metallica been selling out since the 80's? or are u more of a moron then u look

[vermonofdeceit]

if it was a condom commercial that would be cooler an dnot selling out

[metaldrummer47]

Im not spamming but if ya play drums or anything VERY LOUD lol, you should get Vic Firth Insolation HeadPhones. They have ones that you can plug into your ipod if ur playing a song and need to keep time which are 59.99 or just regular w/o wires for i think 30.00. They saved my hearing and i have no complaints for it. So if ya are worried about your hearing, get those. They're INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!

[moviemakercool]

you can't call if you're already deaf

[icepack7]

Lars: So remember kids were protection......

use a condom

[TwoSixProductions]

we watched a video with him in it on hearing in 8th grade music class.

[EmperorLjas]

I had tinnitus in my left ear for two weeks. It sucked.

I slowly learned to live with it and then it suddenly disappeared in a popping sound...

[thelost15]

Im gonna prank call them right now

[DoomScytheBand]

Big ups to Lars For speaing out for that.

Talica ftw ^_^

[Guyverhoeven]

i have a average ring in my head not a loud one thank god;

you mostly just ignore it.

and when playing in a band protection is also better since you will hear better what your playing.

[morepiepleaseTV]

Metallica REALLY did sell out, huh?

[rasuk]

no they didnt its just a video to help kids who play in bands and stuff realize the dangers of noise induced deafness. its like they help fund for some war torn country and stff

[morepiepleaseTV]

Oh. I was just kinda joking around too. lol.

[Paxobo]

It's just the risk you have to take for being a born Metalhead

[Jesusmetalhead]

true

[TheSketchedOne]

i just had a bad flu/cold and my right ear pops when i swallow and theres a sort of constant whooshing sound in it like when you put your fingers in your ears sometimes you can sense some white noise. hope it goes away for everybody

[yankedup]

ONe of the reasons I dont like really loud music, I really dont plan on going deaf anytime soon

[GibsonGuitarist1022]

Lmao I could just imagine that hear hotline now "Hello! What! Yes hello! hello! *click*"

[TheinJoe]

Tinnitus is surely fatal. Not only Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield suffered from it, but i know some more famous People like Eric Clapton, Bono from U2, Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, Phil Collins..and so on.

I suffered from it in 2007 in January / february too, and it's driving me crazy too.

But I've never lose the hope that anytime it's going away or someone is finding a medicine against it. ;)

And people just should learn to ingore it as possible..

[flipsy87]

the only way to improve it is to protect your ears from ALL exposure to noise that exceeds about 80dB for more than about 1 to 2 hours, then you'll notice the difference over several years

[elveheim]

Click on my username to find out how to search the internet and give 1 cent to tinnitus and deafness research at the same time

[ulfy01]

Why would a rock musician advertise something like that? At best it would make people not attend Metallica gigs anymore.

"Call the Hear Hotline... and don't forget Metallica will be touring all over the country may-july"

[IndianMetalHead333]

Just because they're rock or metal musicians doesn't mean that they'll allow people to damage their ears.

Metallica love their fans and so they take a bit more responsibility.

[jedimaster303]

It is Because he is a musician... I am also a drummer and have very slight tinitus in my right ear because of the high pitch ring of a ride cymbal . . . Lars is probably affected much worse than me . . . Believe me, you wouldn't want it, which is also what Lars is trying to say...

[FenderMetalShredder]

I'm a lead guitarist, and I have slight tinnitus in both ears. My ears always ring, but only very slightly.

[JackDavis16]

do you have the tinnitus from not using protection, or do you use protectino and still have it?

how long have you been playing?

thanks if you reply man

[FenderMetalShredder]

It's because I don't use protection on my ears. And about 3 years or so.

[JumpStop1]

you can still get it even using protection. it all depends how loud your playing what rating of decibel reduction is your protection and how close to the source you are. and of course this is all subject to the amount of time you are exposed to high SPL

[spazammm]

It means they will wear protection at the concerts.

[megaluisdeth]

Metallica uses Hearing aids now a days

[beserker1912]

theyre actually ear monitors i read.

[msnousaname]

lars gestured heaps in that video

[Sorabjian]

It just seems really contradictory to me that he's talking about avoiding hearing damage from loud music, then proceeding to play concerts at probably 120 db or maybe over.

[Metalhead1314]

Well he's talking about protecting your hearing not going places without loud noise

YOU FAIL

[minorkatminor]

Pete from THE WHO has tinnitus, a constant ringing in your ear

[Hzqi]

So now we understand why Lars thinks Death Magnetic sounds good.

[ilterocktive]

lol

[Docteur666]

hehehe

[triangleround]

tinnitus really sucks, I suffer from it and if I knew about it before playing loud without protection I would have used ear plugs, people always say you will get deaf, but hearing ringing and whistling noises all the time is way worse because you can't do anything about it, protect yourselves

[Sodowar]

f you care about :

-Metallica

- How Death Magnetic sounds

-Music in general

Then please sign the petition at gopetition.

To find it type : metallica + gopetition in google.

[CreepingHarvester]

That really worked, didn't it?

[Sodowar]

DEATH MAGNETIC is fucked soundwise. A great album mixed by deaf people.

[Chris557]

This should come with EVERY Death Magnetic cd

[gibsondean]

DOes anyone know if Hearos are good for gigs and concerts

[Nighaz]

dudes theres specially made earplugs called musicians earplugs...they have an attenuation device and are moulded perfectly to your ear canal. basically the sound quality stays the same but the attenuator takes down the noise by 35 decibals.....well worth the $200 if you dont want to gwet tinnitus

[raymondleeleggs]

if its too loud your too old

[meah941]

Uh, no.

[einsteinian]

more like if its too loud you will be deaf in 10 years....

Get this, every time you hear ringing after a concert, that is literally the swan song of a certain section of your hearing. When you are born you can hear every note/tone but once you hear a ringing that is that specific note or groups of notes shriveling up to never be heard again. War vets lost low and high hearing from the many types of grenades and weapons they fired. Rockstars are all deaf and their music suffers later........

[Hektor88]

well, its not quite THAT black and white. Yes, ringing in your ears is a sign thats its too loud. But the human body regenerates, and to suggest that parts of your ear drum is dying every time, never to recover is stretching the truth a bit. Hearing damage can be reversed, although its best to just prevent it to begin with.

[einsteinian]

Im sorry to say that you are wrong, Ive done extensive study on this matter and I am positive of what I speak.

1. loud noises cause permanent hearing loss.

2. Hearing loss is irreversible period.

Imagine if you will a field of tiny hairs in your ear that are there from day one. You are constantly losing a few of them anyway but when you hear an extremely loud noise you burn a small portion of this field. Keep doing that and more and more sections of your hearing will die forever. Fact.

[Hektor88]

i don't doubt that your well informed, but its inaccurate to just say "its either this or this." people used to say brain cells cannot be regenerated, but its now known that they can be. Hearing can be regenerated as well, the human body has amazing ability to heal itself. I am not suggesting that we all go blow our ears out, and i am not saying you cant go deaf, but to say "this is the way it is, period" betrays the foundation of medical science, which, as a science, is always up for revision.

[einsteinian]

Science is based on facts not possibilities, thats called theory.

The fact is that if you lose a section of your hearing its just gone. Now if the hearing loss is due to other factors like pressure on the brain or an infection, tinnitus, etc. Yes someone will regain some hearing from treatments, but as for the ringing "swan song" of the ears, when those micro hairs shrivel up they never regrow and there is absolutely no treatment. Ill just leave you to your conclusions and stop informing you.

[Hektor88]

"Science is based on facts, not possibilities, thats called theory"

So, the Theory of Gravity, Atomic Theory, the Theory of Evolution, the Germ Theory of disease, the Theory of heliocentricity are simply possibilities? Your misunderstanding of how the word "theory" is used in scientific context shows that you don't know what your talking about.

[einsteinian]

Ok I was being polite before, this will be my last comment to your stupid ass. You sir are an idiot. I fully understand the definition of theory and you clearly dont. Theories are not FACT until PROVEN. You dipshit. I can theorize that your mother and father were actually brother and sister but does that make it true? Nobody understands gravity, they theorize about it to get close to the answer. I have proven you wrong and you retort with more ignorance. You know nothing waste of time ass.

[einsteinian]

Furthermore, If I could buy you a fucking clue I would, until then I suggest you shut the fuck up until you know of what you speak. UNTIL YOU LOSE YOUR FUCKING HEARING AND GET IT BACK MAGICALLY, YOU ARE WRONG! It would be in your best interest to speak with a Dr. or professional in the field of hearing like I have before you make up your mind and stick to your ridiculous conclusions. Once you lose your hearing its gone. Everything I have said is true and you cannot find proof otherwise.

[Hektor88]

lol, ok man. I am not trying to start a fight, but you can take that attitude to the toilet where it belongs.

Good day sir.

[ridethelightning9000]

gravity isnt a theory, its a force.

[Hektor88]

lol, the Theory of Gravity is what describes and predicts the behavior of the force of gravity. Yes it is a theory.

[einsteinian]

Lastly I would just like to say if there was any way to restore hearing im sure peter townsend or lars could afford the treatment. Some things just are as they are and no amount of fantasy can change it. For instance the average child can hear extremely high frequencies, the average teen can hear a bit less like 20khz, but an adult as yourself cannot, which is the reason for the "hummingbird ringtone" For fun check out what is the highest hummingbird tone you can hear.

[JackDavis16]

youre too young obviously to fucking realise that you dont want to fuck your ears up for your whole life

[mouloudo]

Slash for example refuses to wear protections cause he thinks it deteriorate the sound quality... I think by know there's good solutions and even if it was true, your ears'health is worht it... Sting from the police is said to be almost deaf

[dragonzith]

well slash has all that hair to stop some of the sound I gess =P

[mouloudo]

lool

[ninelivecat]

I went to see AC/DC live indoors and wore the sponge earplugs to cut out the harmfull frequencys but when I saw them outdoors I didn't need to I don't think it's so bad outdoors with live music

[rhonda346]

ha im seeing motörhead indoors..lets see wat happens...should i bring earplugs??

[ninelivecat]

You only have to worry about it if you are going to loud shows a lot If you are only going now and again your prob OK You don't need to bring them Just ask the security/stewards and they should give you them for nothing Thats what I do

[musicianforjesus]

I didn't either I knew James did from 175Db monitors and gun blasts

[Xenox88]

I didn't know Lars had tinnitus.

[Sorabjian]

Here's an idea. Turn the fuck down so that people don't have to use earplugs all the time to avoid damaging their hearing.

[mysteriekiller]

agreed

[TooFast6]

Turn down? Really? I'd rather it be too loud and wear earplugs than have it too soft. That's just weak.

[MUYAK1]

Oh no, help, it's not "cool" or "gangsta" if you turn the shit down. wearing earplugs and turning it down has no difference moron. Both ways you'll hear the music weaker or however you want to call it.

[daveocook]

I guess you never went to a rock or metal concert. Hearing the music is only 70% of the show - feeling the show is the other 30% - and feeling the double bass drums roll through you is pretty fucking awesome, so I like it loud and use ear plugs, plus I still get to feel the music.

[spikeman27]

totally agree

[borgirdummu]

Completely wrong. Louder with ear plugs is much better than quieter without them. You can feel a lot more bass with the same safe volume level due to the plugs, whereas turning it down gets rid of a lot of the bass feeling in your chest.

[MUYAK1]

The music doesn't change, yeah it's a different feeling in the chest, you don't feel the bass.

But it doesn't affect the music - fact.

And that was my point.

And for me the music is a 90% at a concert, it varies from person to person.

[Kester640]

I've had my right eye operated, my lungs drained of fluid, kidney failure and breathing problems. Now I've got tinnitus, and it is worse than everything else I have had. Tinnitus is a life ruiner, I would hate to kill myself because of it!

[jemoi]

Some cant' stand scream but some others have unbearble pain (heartbeats, sweating) even by hearing paper rustle !

look for tinnitus in the wikipedia.

the is slow resarch about a cure in France and swizerland with few means so i will probably commit suicide before a cure is found !

Sorry for flood and farewell guys !

[finkin]

How long have you had it man?

[jemoi]

Two months, no habituation. I hear it even when i sleep. Sorry to look scary but it is the truth. Some guy have it light and sudently, it worsens afet 4 or 5 years (often after a stress) weird. I was engineer and doing a lot of maths. I cant' focuse on things. I can barely read a novel. No problems with comics tough.

Now i stopped working and i feel like a walking vegetable jus able to look at movies!

[jemoi]

and uh.. sorry for the spelling i am a bit stoned.

[desperado71]

You have tinnitus and you smoke weed? Strange

[rocafella142]

I think Jemoi really killed himself 0.o....

[jemoi]

I dropped my job because i lost most of my focusing abilities. And i am considering killing myself too. Silent places are unbearable too (i hear it louder since there are no masking noises)

tinnitus are often a consequence of a hearing loss be it traumatic or not; A level of 70 DB is enough to damage your ears.

And even worse sometimes you also get hyperacousia which is a over sensibility to noises: exterior sounds get painful.

[jemoi]

Yeah, a lot of musicians have hearing loss and even worse, TINNITUS. Imagine an electric drill INSIDE yuor head 24h/day for your whole life.

I do have acute tinnitus and it's driving me crazy despite the neuroleptics i take. There is no cure. People with light or moderate tinnitus sometimes get used to it but when you have it bad, you're well s*****d. Most of the peolpe with tinnitus i know suffer from various level of depression, anxiety and insomnia. Some did commit suicide.

[ds390ss]

I have moderate tinnitus. this is no joke!!! Some people have it so bad they committ suiside!! glad i cant spell it, means i aint thinking it too much. but really this tinnitus  shit sucks

[volcanoofhell]

Yeah. Woe unto those who suffer from tinnitus. James and Lars have it...one....fade to black...the unforgiven 2....plenty of influence there.

[twisterlemonade]

Yes. For a good reason too.

[drtheng]

WTF? Lars doing a commercial?