Do Edge and Bono really have tinnitus?

[stealthboy]

Alright, you all can debate this all you want. My personal story says all it takes is one show. I'm sorry if anyone has the misfortune to have that experience in the future. I just wanted to make sure I said my bit that I believe everyone should wear ear protection. You all are free to do whatever you want, naturally.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Didn't someone try to sue u2 during the popmart tour because they claimed hearing loss due to being too close to the ground leven speakers near the stage.

Drummers and bass players may have a higher chance ot hearing loss due to the value of their instrument. Treble(cymbals) frequency loss for Larry.

Pretty sure none of them wore in-ears until Zootv(Bono only) or Popmart(band?). Larry would have headphone for a couple songs a show with sequencers starting in 1984.

 

[JCOSTER]

Never heard of them having it.

 

[U2387]

Alright, you all can debate this all you want. My personal story says all it takes is one show. I'm sorry if anyone has the misfortune to have that experience in the future. I just wanted to make sure I said my bit that I believe everyone should wear ear protection. You all are free to do whatever you want, naturally.

Fair enough. Here's what I said:

As sorry as I am, truly, for Stealthboy and Herci, those are not typical results from seeing a hand full of U2 shows over the years, with a lot of space in between.

And I stick by it.

I, like you, would never tell anyone what to do when seeing a U2 concert.

Wear earplugs, don't wear earplugs, all good by me.

All I know is that what has very unfortunately happened to you is not what happens with the vast majority of the people who see 1 U2 show.

I truly hope things get better for you, or at least more bearable!

 

[U2387]

This is kind of my point. I'm not sure why you would say it's "widely known" and "of course he does" if there are no public records or any clear cut statements? That's very odd to me...

No, you see, there was a clear cut statement.

This stuff is not easy to find precisely because its not public record and not a typical thing that comes up when someone is interviewing Bono. Could very well have only been that one time in Edmonton, and if that video has been taken down, well...........I don't know what to tell you.

Believe me, I'm the most pissed off that I can't find it now because I really don't want to argue about this.

I wish I'd never heard Bono say he struggles with this, but I know I did.

Again, what interest would I have in making it up? I know what I heard.


You are acting like I came up with some screwball, way out there theory that I now must prove beyond a reasonable doubt akin to Galileo proving the heliocentric theory.

Google Taylor Behl, even murder convictions don't always require this hard evidence you speak of. Its what would 12 reasonable people think given the circumstances.

Step away from the "we require links, reliable enough for Galeongirl and BVS, because U2387 clearly, clearly has some "sentimental" interest in persuading everyone that Bono suffers from a really difficult condition" mentality for a minute and ask yourself:

"Could it be possible after 30 years of pumping loud as hell music through massive speakers for a living that Bono has some form of tinnitus?"

Its not only possible, but indeed very probable.

I mean, we've got people here who say they got it permanently from 1 Vertigo gig.

I don't know what else to say.

 

[Shawn Bonneau]

They are one of the loudest touring acts out there and they do long shows and have been doing it over 30 years now. It would not surprise me

 

[MikeyJB]

Everyone keeps referring to the shows being loud. Don't forget the excruciatingly long periods of time the band spend in the studio and obviously jamming to come up with the songs in the first place. I highly doubt they all decide to jam at a low volume when in the studio. As someone who used to play in a band a few years ago in a small garage, when you have 3 amps and a drum kit blasting out in a small space, you do leave deafened.

 

[herci]

Look, I am truly not jerking any of you around!

What reason would I have to make any of this up? I have some vested interest in showing that Bono has tinnitus?

I have been looking for the video.

Its not as clear cut as you think, there has been at least one one off statement by Bono, but jeez, his medical records aren't public.

BVS, no need to link google hits, you can do it yourself. Evaluate each hit critically and decide if you want to believe it. Critical thinking is as easy as critical posting, I assure you!

Now, before you take up 8 pages, which you've done over smaller issues than this, that is the end of it until I send you the video.




Well, I am very sorry to hear that! I truly hope that things get better for you, both with depression and tinnitus.

However, you would definitely be in the minority with your experience. I have done plenty of loud shows, including Vertigo Tour shows, without earplugs with none of the same damage you report.

A lot of my friends did 1 or 2 U2 shows with no damage to report.

I have talked to many sound engineers and other experts in the field.

I see at least 20 shows per month.

Again, I'd never go without earplugs for the majority of them, in fact, I do so sparingly.

However, even for a band as loud as U2(especially on Zoo Tv and Vertigo, where IMO, the dial was especially cranked up), permanent, noticeable damage is not the typical result of one show.



Yes, but from one show in that time period???

Highly unlikely.

Its probably been multiple shows without earplugs over that time period.

Surely you've been to more than 1 since you were 11.

Correct me if I am wrong.

The implication here is that I don't respect the danger this poses, and nothing could be further from the truth.

U2, Bruce and The Police are the only bands I ever remember going entire shows without earplugs when viewing.

My co workers grab one pair of earplugs and barely put them in their ears, I grab 3 or 4, 1 pair for each act playing that night, and always put them in deep in my ears.

As sorry as I am, truly, for Stealthboy and Herci, those are not typical results from seeing a hand full of U2 shows over the years, with a lot of space in between.

I would only question the sanity of anyone not wearing earplugs at U2 shows if they were following an entire tour.

If you are just reading this for the 1st time and have never seen U2 before, it is ABSOLUTELY FALSE to say that 1 or 2 U2 shows without earplugs is in any way threatening to your hearing on a permanent basis.

My aunt's seen U2 about 25 times, going back to the War tour in smaller, louder venues, never worn earplugs and has perfect hearing with no discomfort.

YES YOU CAN GET IT FROM ONE SHOW!!!
I only went to concerts at the age of 24. I got it when I was about 25. Let's say I've done 15 concerts in my life. I never experienced any problems with my hearing before NEVER! All of them were not that loud. Pop music. No AC/DC stuff and anything like that. In Belgium, if you see a doctor specialised in Tinnitus they will ALL tell you, you can get it FROM ONE concert. If you go to one where the Db level goes to 120 you only have to stand there for a couple of minutes to get this stuff.
It's not because 20 people around you never had it and have done many concerts you shouldn't believe this.
A specialist recently said if 100 000 people go to a festival 25 000 of them have damage. (maybe unnoticed on a normal hearing test)

And maybe 15 of those 100 000 might get tinnitus.
I never talked about it before it got it. So I also thought it was a rare condition. But when you start talking about it...you are surprised how many admit they have it too. I have written a piece for a magazine and youngsters contacted me because they needed someone to talk about it...because their family and friends don't know what it is and don't understand how horrible it is to live with. Let's say in the last year I've heard about 10 people who got. In the press I've read at least 5 stories of people who went to a concert recently and got it. One was from a Belgian U2 show. Some from ACDC concerts. One from Pukkelpop (with plugs) and so on...

A 14yr old girl got it from going to Inception in the cinema. ONE movie!
They measured the decibels and they were as loud as 116Db. Knowing that 80dB is the limit for your hearing. If you are exposed to 116db for 10 minutes you can already have a problem. But yes...not everyone will have T. Some are more sensitive.

GirlsAloudFan, thanks for your response, I appreciate it..
I'm not jewish btw... so I'll have christmas.
And I'm a girl.
Cheers and please take care of your hearing.

(the worst thing is, I forgot my earplugs that night I got it...so I could kill myself only because of that...)
Tip: if you really feel it is very loud and you feel the sound vibrating through your body....GET away! I didn't and I'm full of regrets.

 

[cobl04]

well this thread has scared the shit out of me. as i said i have a cousin with tinnitus and his life has been ruined to the point where he has tried suicide. i don't want tinnitus but there's no way i'm not going to gigs anymore!

 

[BVS]

Again, what interest would I have in making it up? I know what I heard.


You are acting like I came up with some screwball, way out there theory that I now must prove beyond a reasonable doubt akin to Galileo proving the heliocentric theory.

Step away from the "we require links, reliable enough for Galeongirl and BVS, because U2387 clearly, clearly has some "sentimental" interest in persuading everyone that Bono suffers from a really difficult condition" mentality for a minute and ask yourself:

"Could it be possible after 30 years of pumping loud as hell music through massive speakers for a living that Bono has some form of tinnitus?"

Its not only possible, but indeed very probable.

Of course it's possible, I've been saying that since the beginning. No, I don't think you have any interest in making it up, but I do think it's possible that you misheard or misunderstood.

What I do take issue with is when you say it's "widely known" and act like everyone should already know this. And what I really take issue with is when you tell me just to "Google it" as if the answer is right before my eyes and I'm either too stupid to see it, or too lazy to find it. Obviously that is not the case and you mispoke with your Google comment.

 

[Just_Boy]

Probably The Edge has it too. Sometimes Bono sings really loud right into edge's face. I've noticed that it really annoys him.

Go check out the video of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

Bono: "You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame"

The Edge: "I know man. Don't fucking push it.
I don't want tinnitus. Just go suck an egg !"

 

[MikeyJB]

well this thread has scared the shit out of me. as i said i have a cousin with tinnitus and his life has been ruined to the point where he has tried suicide. i don't want tinnitus but there's no way i'm not going to gigs anymore!

Yeah same here mate, I've been to some pretty fucking deafening gigs over the past few years - The Fall, Metallica, Aphex Twin to name just three examples where my ears were suffering for a few days afterwards.

Might need to exercise a little more caution in the future, definitely don't fancy a future without gigs or music. Would rather go blind I reckon

 

[Jive Turkey]

Yes, but from one show in that time period???

Highly unlikely.

Its probably been multiple shows without earplugs over that time period.

Surely you've been to more than 1 since you were 11.

Correct me if I am wrong.

The implication here is that I don't respect the danger this poses, and nothing could be further from the truth.

U2, Bruce and The Police are the only bands I ever remember going entire shows without earplugs when viewing.

My co workers grab one pair of earplugs and barely put them in their ears, I grab 3 or 4, 1 pair for each act playing that night, and always put them in deep in my ears.

As sorry as I am, truly, for Stealthboy and Herci, those are not typical results from seeing a hand full of U2 shows over the years, with a lot of space in between.

I would only question the sanity of anyone not wearing earplugs at U2 shows if they were following an entire tour.

If you are just reading this for the 1st time and have never seen U2 before, it is ABSOLUTELY FALSE to say that 1 or 2 U2 shows without earplugs is in any way threatening to your hearing on a permanent basis.

My aunt's seen U2 about 25 times, going back to the War tour in smaller, louder venues, never worn earplugs and has perfect hearing with no discomfort.

I was implying that, in my case, it's cumulative.

I have no doubt that someone can go to a live show and not wear earplugs and be perfectly fine afterward. I've seen plenty of shows with no earplugs and only occasionally get a ringing in my ears.
But the reality is, nobody knows for sure how your hearing will be affected from one show. It's a crap shoot. Just because one person's hearing wont be affected, doesnt mean another person's will be unaffected too. It might be rare to get tinnitus from one show, but that's not really a chance I'd like to take. In that sense, I think it's a little flippant to say definitively 'one show wont affect your hearing.' Especially when even a couple in this thread alone can pinpoint the exact show it happened at.

Also, I dont think the 'space inbetween' really matters. It's not like your body repairs your hearing in between. Once the damage is done, it's done. The space in between just means it will take longer for the effects to build up, but the overall result is still the same

 

[VintagePunk]

I was implying that, in my case, it's cumulative.

I have no doubt that someone can go to a live show and not wear earplugs and be perfectly fine afterward. I've seen plenty of shows with no earplugs and only occasionally get a ringing in my ears.
But the reality is, nobody knows for sure how your hearing will be affected from one show. It's a crap shoot. Just because one person's hearing wont be affected, doesnt mean another person's will be unaffected too. It might be rare to get tinnitus from one show, but that's not really a chance I'd like to take. In that sense, I think it's a little flippant to say definitively 'one show wont affect your hearing.' Especially when even a couple in this thread alone can pinpoint the exact show it happened at.

Also, I dont think the 'space inbetween' really matters. It's not like your body repairs your hearing in between. Once the damage is done, it's done. The space in between just means it will take longer for the effects to build up, but the overall result is still the same

Exactly. All of this.

While not everyone leaving a show will end up with tinnitus from it, if it's loud enough, there will be hearing damage. It might not be noticeable, but it's cumulative over time, so even if it's not till a decade or two down the road, if you expose yourself over the years, it *will* catch up with you eventually. Same with any loud noises you expose yourself to. If you operate loud machinery, work in a factory, listen to loud music, it all adds up.

In my foolish youth, I never gave hearing protection a second thought. Now, I always have the expandable foam ear plugs with me. I don't wear them at every show, I can pretty much feel if the noise is bothering my ears, but if I need them, I don't hesitate to use them. And as someone said earlier in the thread, they make some shows sound better to me, by blocking out distortion.

So yeah, it's wrong to say that one show won't cause it. It probably won't for most people, but is it worth taking a risk with something that's irreversible?

For the people in this thread affected with it, I sincerely hope you can find a way to ease your suffering.

 

[stealthboy]

So yeah, it's wrong to say that one show won't cause it. It probably won't for most people, but is it worth taking a risk with something that's irreversible?

Quote of the thread! Perfect.

 

[Utoo]

WTF x 1,000,000,000,000,000.

 

[cobl04]

bvs, i get that you enjoy debating, but fucking hell i can't see why you care so much or continue every argument on this forum until you have not only won, but ground your opponent into the dirt.

 

[bonocomet]

I have it. And I think mine is a combination of long term AND one time. Like VP did, I saw a ton of shows without earplugs when I was young and careless. All through the 80's I'd go to shows and always have ringing til the next day but it always went away so I didn't think much about it. I did start using ear protection after a while as I got older. Then in Sept. 2008 I went to a Bob Dylan show and forgot to bring them. I hoped Bob Dylan wouldn't be that loud. Wrong. One of the loudest shows I've ever seen. We were in the first couple rows. This time the ringing didn't go away, and it's been there ever since. I hear it ALL the time, but I've learned to live with it and it's now a white noise for me. If you are lucky enough to be able to have moments of absolute silence in life, enjoy them. It's one thing I really miss. And don't forget your earplugs, because yeah it only takes once.

 

[U2387]

YES YOU CAN GET IT FROM ONE SHOW!!!
I only went to concerts at the age of 24. I got it when I was about 25. Let's say I've done 15 concerts in my life. I never experienced any problems with my hearing before NEVER! All of them were not that loud. Pop music. No AC/DC stuff and anything like that. In Belgium, if you see a doctor specialised in Tinnitus they will ALL tell you, you can get it FROM ONE concert. If you go to one where the Db level goes to 120 you only have to stand there for a couple of minutes to get this stuff.
It's not because 20 people around you never had it and have done many concerts you shouldn't believe this.
A specialist recently said if 100 000 people go to a festival 25 000 of them have damage. (maybe unnoticed on a normal hearing test)

And maybe 15 of those 100 000 might get tinnitus.
I never talked about it before it got it. So I also thought it was a rare condition. But when you start talking about it...you are surprised how many admit they have it too. I have written a piece for a magazine and youngsters contacted me because they needed someone to talk about it...because their family and friends don't know what it is and don't understand how horrible it is to live with. Let's say in the last year I've heard about 10 people who got. In the press I've read at least 5 stories of people who went to a concert recently and got it. One was from a Belgian U2 show. Some from ACDC concerts. One from Pukkelpop (with plugs) and so on...

A 14yr old girl got it from going to Inception in the cinema. ONE movie!
They measured the decibels and they were as loud as 116Db. Knowing that 80dB is the limit for your hearing. If you are exposed to 116db for 10 minutes you can already have a problem. But yes...not everyone will have T. Some are more sensitive.

GirlsAloudFan, thanks for your response, I appreciate it..
I'm not jewish btw... so I'll have christmas.
And I'm a girl.
Cheers and please take care of your hearing.

(the worst thing is, I forgot my earplugs that night I got it...so I could kill myself only because of that...)
Tip: if you really feel it is very loud and you feel the sound vibrating through your body....GET away! I didn't and I'm full of regrets.

Never said you couldn't get it from just 1 show, just that it is rare. And it is.

I talk to a lot more than 20 people.

I never told anyone not to wear earplugs.

Bottom line is U2 are very loud, we all know this and should do whatever we feel is best for our hearing.

Again, hope it gets better for you and Merry Christmas!

 

[U2387]

Of course it's possible, I've been saying that since the beginning. No, I don't think you have any interest in making it up, but I do think it's possible that you misheard or misunderstood.

What I do take issue with is when you say it's "widely known" and act like everyone should already know this. And what I really take issue with is when you tell me just to "Google it" as if the answer is right before my eyes and I'm either too stupid to see it, or too lazy to find it. Obviously that is not the case and you mispoke with your Google comment.

I said not only possible, but probable if you use your reasoning.

I don't see how me telling you to google something in response to one of your aggressive "prove it, Galileo posts" is calling you stupid or lazy.

Interpret it as you wish........you're a bit too sensitive for this and most other discussions.

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

enough arguing!! i'd like to remind everyone of the thread title: do edge and bono really have tinnitus? of course with a topic like this it's understandable that it would spin into discussing tinnitus itself, but come on.

bvs and u2387, you both need to learn to step away from a debate. it's clear the two of you are not going to see eye to eye on this so i suggest you guys just ignore each other in this thread.

 

[U2387]

enough arguing!! i'd like to remind everyone of the thread title: do edge and bono really have tinnitus? of course with a topic like this it's understandable that it would spin into discussing tinnitus itself, but come on.

bvs and u2387, you both need to learn to step away from a debate. it's clear the two of you are not going to see eye to eye on this so i suggest you guys just ignore each other in this thread.

I've no interest in getting into it with him. I've made as much clear throughout.

You won't see me back in this thread........

 

[herci]

well this thread has scared the shit out of me. as i said i have a cousin with tinnitus and his life has been ruined to the point where he has tried suicide. i don't want tinnitus but there's no way i'm not going to gigs anymore!

I don't want to scare anybody the shit out of them. But it's reality. The only positive thing that comes out of my condition is that I try to persuade as many people as I can to protect themselves. If I can make 2 people wear plugs I'm happy about it.

I suggest for people who are interested in protection that you get custom made ones. I paid 100 euro's for them. Maybe in the US of UK or anywhere else it's around 100-200 dollars. But you can keep them for years and they protect you around 20-25db. In a normal show at a normal spot you should be okay with that. But then again...recently I've probably been exposed for 40 seconds to 120db with plugs...so that's 120-20=100db...still too loud.
But normally you're are fine with those. It's a lot of money but compared to what I've paid on doctors, test, clinics and pills (and within 3 months there might be some more costs, I'm talking maybe 2000 dollars.) it's a tiny bit of money for a hugely important part of your health.

I think, if you can pay 70 dollars for one concert and even more when you buy merchandise, then what is the price of some good earplugs?
And the sound doesn't get distorted or messed up with those plugs. It actually all sounds very good. Be sure to test them on leaks at the shop where you buy them. Sometimes music shops invite people who make moulds, or go to a hearing aid shop. (that's where I got them from) And they are not annoying to wear them for 3 hours or so. They fit comfortably.

So I think you should be fine with this...I wish I could enjoy gigs again, but that's history for me.

I do know of certain acts that are horribly loud: avoid AC/DC (a friend of mine who plays in a band and already has damage because of a loud bass amplifier blast (yes once) had to put napkins in his ears. Also Mötorhead is supposed to be crazy. And if you want to/can...avoid standing close to speakers.
If you feel your ear or ears are aching definately get away.

Happy holidays to everyone...and enjoy the silence

 

[Vlad n U 2]

I do know of certain acts that are horribly loud: avoid AC/DC

No, it's just their ultimate crappiness that damages hearing.

 

[digitize]

And even if they weren't very loud, there would still be plenty of reasons for me to flee from AC/DC like the black plague.

 

[VintagePunk]

If you feel your ear or ears are aching definately get away.

I wanted to ask you and stealthboy, at the shows where this happened to you, did you feel any unusual discomfort? Like, did you know during the show that it sounded/felt exceptionally loud? Or was the sensation the same as being at any other loud show, and you had no warning till you realized the buzzing/ringing wasn't going away?

 

[Vlad n U 2]

And even if they weren't very loud, there would still be plenty of reasons for me to flee from AC/DC like the black plague.

Even the sight of Brian Johnson's rotting teeth from a distance of 50 metres would be enough to scare me away for good. And that's before he starts his old man growls ...

 

[cobl04]

My old man reckons U2 were louder than acca dacca

 

[VintagePunk]

I experienced something at a 360 show last year that I've never had happen before. I was at the back rail inside the pit (without ear plugs; despite what I said earlier about always having them, I forgot to grab them before I left home ) and I could FEEL that it was uncomfortably loud. By about 5 or 6 songs in, I started getting this off-balance, vertigo-ish feeling. I'm positive it was from the sound, the inner ear affects balance. And honestly, the show sounded like crap too - distorted, and WAY too loud to enjoy. I found some tissue in my bag, and wadded that up and put it in my ears, and it helped. At 8 shows during the Vertigo tour, all in arenas, most either outside rail or in the ellipse, I'd never found it that loud, nor have I ever found it that loud for any other band I've seen over the years, in venues of all sizes.

The next night, we were back by the soundboard, and the sound was amazing. Very, very clear, and I didn't find that I needed ear protection at all.

 

[coolian2]

My old man reckons U2 were louder than acca dacca

and so they should be! ac/dc can speak for themselves.

first afternoon at mt smart when i arrived to hear rehearsals, i was staggered by how loud it was, and out of line of sight of the claw. and this was after having seen two shows in the usa a year before.