Bass Sensitivity - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

TwistyRainbow · 27th Aug 2011, 05:41 PM

So the title is pretty self-explanatory. Anytime I'm somewhere music is playing with really heavy bass (like a concert) I get the most wracking migraine, so bad that I actually have to lay down. Is there anything I can do to address this, or it just the way things are?

Pseudojim · 28th Aug 2011, 12:36 AM

have you tried ear plugs?

-Michael- · 28th Aug 2011, 01:14 AM

This is quite strange.

It might be low frequencies?

See your doctor if its something that's affecting you on a day to day basis.
If not, try the above

ezkill · 30th Aug 2011, 08:45 AM

I thought I'd chime in and let you know that loud BASS tends to give me the same feeling as motion sickness -- the vibrations make me nauseous. I would think that the intense, low vibrations have an effect on fluid in the ear canal. You can't really wear earplugs if you are driving and hear low bass, so maybe I'd just see a doctor and see if there is anything that can be done about it, assuming it affects the quality of your daily life.

Veronica · 30th Aug 2011, 08:52 AM

It is very hard to block out low frequencies with earplugs. But yeah, give it a try ...

TwistyRainbow · 30th Aug 2011, 11:47 AM

Thanks guys! I think it might certainly be something with my ear canal, because whenever I get a migraine, I can feel the vibrations from the bass course through my body (that sounds weird but it's the truth! :P). It only really bothers me when there isn't a barrier between me and the speaker i.e. at an outdoor concert, but I have free health center visits at school so I'll take advantage of one.

technoddot · 2nd Sep 2011, 06:31 PM

Sensitivity to bass like that would definitely suck-- I love the feeling of bass.

But, sometimes if I listen to music too much and/or too loudly, I can get a headache. That is probably an indicator to turn it down, though. It's never been extreme enough to call a migraine.

kiersten · 2nd Sep 2011, 09:12 PM

I actually worked in the Detroit music industry for 4 years, & ended up in countless small clubs with the exact same problem. Here's a couple of tips I picked up to deal with it.

1. Always bring ear plugs to any gig you go to. Not only does it help to diffuse the low bass sounds in your ear, it will also protect against soe pretty nasty hearing damage. If anyone makes fun of you, so what? You'll still be the one able to hear 20 years from now. And you probably won't be the only one in the venue wearing them either.

2. Acoustics are key. If you know the place you're going to be in, learn the space in terms of acoustics. Some places are designed really well & some not so much, while some are just totally crappy. Find that place acoustically that sort of diffuses the sound but doesn't mar or muffle it from where you are.

3. If it's a small venue, hang back a bit & avoid being up front. Small clubs still have big sound systems for when they have bands playing, so stay away from the front. More than likely, you might end up standing right in front of one of the amps, which will totally screw up your hearing temporarily & permanently. If your ears are ringing for a day or two after, chances are you were too close & the band was waaay too loud, either that or the sound guy doesn't know jack about what he's doing.

4. Hydrate. What? I know it sound stupid, but I've found that when I'm dehydrated, everything just feels worse & I feel like I survived a train wreck. I tend to drink a LOT of water when I'm at gigs, for one, it's cheap or free, depending on if you go for bottled or not, and two, it helps the body cope sometimes with a variety of things by keeping you, well, hydrated! Alcohol + intense sound vibrations = massive headache. If you drink water tho, you're wits & your head don't feel quite as bad.

5. Finally, know your exits. If things just get to be too much, get out of there. Don't force yourself to push thru to the end, get some air for a bit & then head back in. Some places have outdoor areas for smokers, just avoid them & get some air. It also give your eardrums a MUCH needed rest from the sonic assault on them.

Hope this helps!

Pseudojim · 6th Sep 2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veronica

It is very hard to block out low frequencies with earplugs. But yeah, give it a try ...

There are expensive (~$20) ones designed specifically for concert safety. I highly recommend.

ShebbsIsAwesome · 6th Sep 2011, 04:06 PM

Oh my god, when the bass hits me I start smiling and laughing, I love it.

27th Aug 2011, 05:41 PM	#1
TwistyRainbow Co-Captain - Rainbow Nerd Brigade Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Homosexual, homoromantic Out Status: The closet's in ashes Location: From St. Louis, MO; go to school in Nashville, TN Age: 20 Posts: 204 Join Date: May 2011	Bass Sensitivity So the title is pretty self-explanatory. Anytime I'm somewhere music is playing with really heavy bass (like a concert) I get the most wracking migraine, so bad that I actually have to lay down. Is there anything I can do to address this, or it just the way things are? __________________ ♪You taste just like glitter mixed with rock and roll. I like you a lot, lot, think you're really hot, hot♪ ♪Together we'll find a way to make pure love work in a dirty way♪

28th Aug 2011, 12:36 AM	#2
Pseudojim Part robot Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bi - Kinsey 2ish Out Status: All but family Location: Australia Age: 27 Posts: 2,154 Join Date: Sep 2009	Re: Bass Sensitivity have you tried ear plugs?

28th Aug 2011, 01:14 AM	#3
-Michael- Been gone a while. Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: DragonPhoenixLightningAwesome Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Middlesbrough, North-east England Age: 20 Posts: 2,199 Join Date: Jun 2008	Re: Bass Sensitivity This is quite strange. It might be low frequencies? See your doctor if its something that's affecting you on a day to day basis. If not, try the above

30th Aug 2011, 08:45 AM	#4
ezkill Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 145 Join Date: Aug 2011	Re: Bass Sensitivity I thought I'd chime in and let you know that loud BASS tends to give me the same feeling as motion sickness -- the vibrations make me nauseous. I would think that the intense, low vibrations have an effect on fluid in the ear canal. You can't really wear earplugs if you are driving and hear low bass, so maybe I'd just see a doctor and see if there is anything that can be done about it, assuming it affects the quality of your daily life.

30th Aug 2011, 08:52 AM	#5
Veronica Princess of darkness Full Member Gender: Female (MtF) Orientation: ❤ women Out Status: A few friends Location: Europe Age: 35 Posts: 704 Join Date: Aug 2011	Re: Bass Sensitivity It is very hard to block out low frequencies with earplugs. But yeah, give it a try ... __________________ "When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."

30th Aug 2011, 11:47 AM	#6
TwistyRainbow Co-Captain - Rainbow Nerd Brigade Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Homosexual, homoromantic Out Status: The closet's in ashes Location: From St. Louis, MO; go to school in Nashville, TN Age: 20 Posts: 204 Join Date: May 2011	Re: Bass Sensitivity Thanks guys! I think it might certainly be something with my ear canal, because whenever I get a migraine, I can feel the vibrations from the bass course through my body (that sounds weird but it's the truth! :P). It only really bothers me when there isn't a barrier between me and the speaker i.e. at an outdoor concert, but I have free health center visits at school so I'll take advantage of one. __________________ ♪You taste just like glitter mixed with rock and roll. I like you a lot, lot, think you're really hot, hot♪ ♪Together we'll find a way to make pure love work in a dirty way♪

2nd Sep 2011, 06:31 PM	#7
technoddot Member Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Probably gay Out Status: Four Friends Location: NE Ohio Posts: 41 Join Date: Jun 2011	Re: Bass Sensitivity Sensitivity to bass like that would definitely suck-- I love the feeling of bass. But, sometimes if I listen to music too much and/or too loudly, I can get a headache. That is probably an indicator to turn it down, though. It's never been extreme enough to call a migraine.

2nd Sep 2011, 09:12 PM	#8
kiersten KierstenChromium, Mistress Of Metal Full Member Gender: Transgender - MtF Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to 127 people & my parents & 1 cousin so far Location: Sarnia, ON Posts: 1,331 Join Date: Jun 2011	Re: Bass Sensitivity I actually worked in the Detroit music industry for 4 years, & ended up in countless small clubs with the exact same problem. Here's a couple of tips I picked up to deal with it. 1. Always bring ear plugs to any gig you go to. Not only does it help to diffuse the low bass sounds in your ear, it will also protect against soe pretty nasty hearing damage. If anyone makes fun of you, so what? You'll still be the one able to hear 20 years from now. And you probably won't be the only one in the venue wearing them either. 2. Acoustics are key. If you know the place you're going to be in, learn the space in terms of acoustics. Some places are designed really well & some not so much, while some are just totally crappy. Find that place acoustically that sort of diffuses the sound but doesn't mar or muffle it from where you are. 3. If it's a small venue, hang back a bit & avoid being up front. Small clubs still have big sound systems for when they have bands playing, so stay away from the front. More than likely, you might end up standing right in front of one of the amps, which will totally screw up your hearing temporarily & permanently. If your ears are ringing for a day or two after, chances are you were too close & the band was waaay too loud, either that or the sound guy doesn't know jack about what he's doing. 4. Hydrate. What? I know it sound stupid, but I've found that when I'm dehydrated, everything just feels worse & I feel like I survived a train wreck. I tend to drink a LOT of water when I'm at gigs, for one, it's cheap or free, depending on if you go for bottled or not, and two, it helps the body cope sometimes with a variety of things by keeping you, well, hydrated! Alcohol + intense sound vibrations = massive headache. If you drink water tho, you're wits & your head don't feel quite as bad. 5. Finally, know your exits. If things just get to be too much, get out of there. Don't force yourself to push thru to the end, get some air for a bit & then head back in. Some places have outdoor areas for smokers, just avoid them & get some air. It also give your eardrums a MUCH needed rest from the sonic assault on them. Hope this helps! __________________ Penny: What's Sheldon's deal? Leonard: What do you mean "deal"? Penny : You know, like, what's his deal? Is it girls? Guys? Sock puppets? Leonard: Honestly, we've been operating under the assumption that he has no deal.

6th Sep 2011, 04:06 PM	#10
ShebbsIsAwesome EC Addict Full Member Gender: Florida Orientation: Out to anybody who cares to ask, Facebook, Family Out Status: Kinsey 6 Location: Male Age: 17 Posts: 273 Join Date: Feb 2011	Re: Bass Sensitivity Oh my god, when the bass hits me I start smiling and laughing, I love it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sensitivity to violence and gore	Pseudojim	Health and Well-being	9	10th Apr 2011 10:12 AM
Sensitivity to acidic foods	Katherine	Health and Well-being	2	17th May 2010 07:27 PM
sensitivity...	GoBabyGoGo	Health and Well-being	4	3rd Oct 2009 03:44 AM
School project, need help!	Fiender	Chit Chat	11	20th Jan 2009 10:00 AM
Bass Hunter -Vi sitter här i venten och spelar	Grof142007	Chit Chat	0	11th Apr 2008 07:09 AM