I was not part of the MichiganHSAA study that the New York Times quoted. I can say this, I do not suffer from tinnitus, but my wife thinks my hearing has diminished over the length of our marriage. I have wondered for the last ten years or so if basketball officials do suffer some form of hearing loss due to officiating basketball after all many rock and roll stars of my generation complain of hearing loss.

MTD, Sr.

It's a little sadistic ,I know, but I always have to fight back the little chuckle on this.

Independent contractor.

I use custom-made ear pieces from Etymotic Research outside Chicago. They're the same company musicians use.

I started using the foam plugs ages ago, but the problem is they cut down all noise, including coaches and players yapping at each other. My E.R. set cut the dBs while allowing me to hear more ambient noise, so yes I do hear the coaches more, but it allows me to communicate better.

As a former DJ and attendee of many loud sporting events in my youth, I had hearing loss long before I started officiating. My first year, before plugs, I held my whistle on the right side of my mouth. Result is my right ear has greater hearing loss.

GET THEM!

Contact an audiologist who can do the foam fittings. My set was $150.

I let my wife think the same thing...the reality is, I've learned to ignore her :D

Are the coaches good practice for wife, or the wife good practice for coaches? :D

I have recently switched to the fox 40 eclipse. I tried the Sonik blast and hated it.

So far I too agree with the fact that the horns are more damaging then the whistle.

Tell The Good Guys From The Bad Guys ...
 

I already wear a black belt. Do you think that it would be alright to wear a black hat as well.

Which model?

Custom from foam molds made of your ear canals. Only takes a few minutes. The molds are then sent to E.R. for casting. (It's a small shop but does work for major stars.) You can select the dB filter you want. Mine are -15.
The website has a list of audiologists they work with.

No wires attached for your iPod. (That's extra.)