Hearing Protection

Hello beloved drumline community.

I am 19 years old and played snare for my senior year of high school (fall and winter). I am now in my second year of college and I am suffering from hyperacusis and tinnitus.

I am just posting this out of the goodness of my heart to tell you that you really should wear hearing protection if you aren’t already. I am suffering so much and I don’t want anyone else to follow this path.

My instructors never advised us on the importance of wearing hearing protection and I wouldn’t be surprised if other students aren’t being taught this topic.

I loved drumline, but now I am completely unable to attend anything related to it. My hyperacusis (abnormal sensitivity to sound) makes it impossible to hold a normal conversation with my dad and girlfriend.

I wish I could live a normal life. Maybe I am just unlucky, but who knows. There is no cure for this, that is why it is so serious to prevent it in the first place. I am not here to scare you, but to advise you.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. Stay safe out there please.