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The Day the Music Died (aging boomers battling hearing loss inflicted by too much rock music)
NYT ^ | 07/12/07 | STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM

Posted on 07/13/2007 9:09:44 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

The Day the Music Died

By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM

Published: July 12, 2007

MICHAEL BELLUSCI’S quotation in his high school yearbook was, “It ain’t rock if it ain’t loud.” Growing up in Flushing, Queens, he played guitar and drums, idolized Jimi Hendrix and performed in cover bands. Later, he went on the road as Ringo in the musical “Beatlemania.”

These days, if his left ear happens to be covered by a pillow, Mr. Bellusci, 47, hears the alarm clock as a faint tick, tick, tick, not a blaring BEEP, BEEP, BEEP. In cacophonous restaurants, he watches people’s mouths so he can follow the conversation.

Years of high decibel noise and trauma from speaker feedback damaged his right ear. Mr. Bellusci, who plays ukulele, recorder, guitar and bass in an acoustic duo, now says, “If I could do it over again ...”

How many boomers are thinking the same thing.

As more members of the generation born after World War II enter their 60s, and the effects of age conspire with years of hearing abuse, a number find themselves jacking up the volume on their televisions, cringing at boisterous parties and shouting “What?” into their cellphones.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aging; babyboomers; hearing; rockmusic; tlr
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To: TigerLikesRooster
I remember it ...it was at the Fillmore East, we were six or seven rows back of center, and the band was Poco. Amplified pedal steel guitar, and my ears are still ringing.

It's all good though.

81 posted on 07/13/2007 2:10:43 PM PDT by JoeA (JoeA / The defintion of insantity is repeating an action and expecting a different result.)
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To: federal
Damn I wish I were still that age

You grew up? Inside, I'm still eight years old.

82 posted on 07/13/2007 3:33:34 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
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To: maxter

Look up “Natural tinnitus remedies” on your web browser. There’s a couple that look pretty good. Herbals take awhile to see results....but it’s worth a shot.


83 posted on 07/13/2007 7:43:51 PM PDT by LaineyDee (Don't mess with Texas wimmen!)
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To: everyone

No tears from this near-Boomer, who never cared much for hard rock and resented the “space” it took up among people of my generation and slightly older.


84 posted on 07/13/2007 7:45:08 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charley the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

That would be me.


85 posted on 07/13/2007 7:46:51 PM PDT by JCEccles
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To: Arrowhead1952

I’m sure machinery noise took a toll for sure. Check the web for natural remedies. It might be worth a shot. :)


86 posted on 07/13/2007 7:49:12 PM PDT by LaineyDee (Don't mess with Texas wimmen!)
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To: Dick Vomer
Spirit was great

Randy California was one of the great underrated lead guitarists of the era. His lead work on "I've Got a Line on You" was first rate, one of my favorites.

87 posted on 07/13/2007 7:49:26 PM PDT by JCEccles
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To: TigerLikesRooster
You all should of lissened to him instead!


88 posted on 07/13/2007 7:54:11 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
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To: Resolute Conservative

The same with this generation of boom box, bass-thumping rappers.

A few days ago at an apartment complex in Eagan, MN, car alarms were going off in the parking garage. Kids in a “ricer” car with some awful subwoofer were making everything around vibrate. And that’s with the windows up!
My next door neighbor is just as bad, some evenings were painful - in addition to getting no sleep. Police here will do nothing. I finally got him to stop with some death metal, speakers facing the wall (I was wearing the hearing protection for that stunt).
BTW, just had a hearing test, still topping out at 22kHz - at 52 years. Then again I don’t usually get abuse with the decibels.


89 posted on 07/13/2007 8:04:02 PM PDT by Fred Hayek (Liberalism is a mental disorder)
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To: bmwcyle

Klipschorns and a McIntosh.

So sweet there is no way they hurt the ears!


90 posted on 07/13/2007 8:11:35 PM PDT by eddie willers
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To: bmwcyle
Found this picture:


91 posted on 07/13/2007 8:15:47 PM PDT by eddie willers
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To: fredhead

USS Ticonderoga; As the jap planes approached, first the 40mm guns opened up and then the 20mm guns and the steam turbines and other machinery. We are all deaf now. Then our kids played that rock music.


92 posted on 07/13/2007 8:28:02 PM PDT by tommix2
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To: eddie willers

Tube amps! Cool!

Although not tubes, I stll own a 200W Dynaco power amp and a Crown pre amp. And they will make some noise.


93 posted on 07/14/2007 7:31:59 AM PDT by caver (Yes, I did crawl out of a hole in the ground.)
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To: nuconvert
Does loud music cause Tinnitus?
94 posted on 07/14/2007 7:33:45 AM PDT by gathersnomoss (If General Patton was alive, he would slap many faces!!)
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To: Mr. Jeeves

Iron Maiden didn’t give me hearing loss, I was born with it.

:)


95 posted on 07/14/2007 7:35:39 AM PDT by wastedyears (Freedom is the right of all sentient beings - Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime)
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To: LaineyDee

Such as? Also, are the placebo’s?


96 posted on 07/14/2007 7:36:11 AM PDT by gathersnomoss (If General Patton was alive, he would slap many faces!!)
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To: Lurker

Got it on CD, I’ll give it a spin today.


97 posted on 07/14/2007 7:37:56 AM PDT by gathersnomoss (If General Patton was alive, he would slap many faces!!)
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To: Thrusher

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Mike/Movies/SpinalTap.jpg

Only because I can’t remember the code to post pictures.


98 posted on 07/14/2007 7:40:11 AM PDT by wastedyears (Freedom is the right of all sentient beings - Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime)
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To: fredhead

Thank you for serving.


99 posted on 07/14/2007 7:41:49 AM PDT by gathersnomoss (If General Patton was alive, he would slap many faces!!)
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To: JCEccles
Randy California was one of the great underrated lead guitarists of the era.

I got to see the original band live at a small venue in suburban Chicago back in the mid 80s. Man they were good.

"12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" is one of those rock gems that doesn't get nearly enough airplay.

I'm gonna have to pick it up. I can't believe I don't already have it.

L

100 posted on 07/14/2007 7:42:13 AM PDT by Lurker (Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing small pox to ebola.)
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