Playing with Earplugs

Salamander

Salamander

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi all,

Just thought I would toss this idea out there. I have been playing for years in various pool halls and have often found my self conciously or unconciously distracted by levels of noise (usually excessive music that is played too high). Lately, I tried using ear plugs to "quiet" the atmosphere. The idea actually occured to me after hearing (mind the pun) about Shane Van Boenings hearing impairment...and how that might actually allow him to shut out distractions.

At any rate, I actually think that my pool performance has increased dramatically by using ear plugs. I am now able to better "zone in" on the task at hand. I also can't hear my opponent and any sharking (on purpose or otherwise). The only drawback that I can perceive is that I can not hear the clicking of the balls as well. However, I've adapted to the point where that no longer bothers me.

Regards,

Doug
 
Salamander said:
Hi all,

Just thought I would toss this idea out there. I have been playing for years in various pool halls and have often found my self conciously or unconciously distracted by levels of noise (usually excessive music that is played too high). Lately, I tried using ear plugs to "quiet" the atmosphere. The idea actually occured to me after hearing (mind the pun) about Shane Van Boenings hearing impairment...and how that might actually allow him to shut out distractions.

At any rate, I actually think that my pool performance has increased dramatically by using ear plugs. I am now able to better "zone in" on the task at hand. I also can't hear my opponent and any sharking (on purpose or otherwise). The only drawback that I can perceive is that I can not hear the clicking of the balls as well. However, I've adapted to the point where that no longer bothers me.

Regards,

Doug
Click to expand...

I've tried ear plugs for the same reason 2 or 3 times, but it kinda put me on a Robinson's island if you know what I mean. I'm training myself right now to "turn off" destractions.
 
Salamander said:
Hi all,

Just thought I would toss this idea out there. I have been playing for years in various pool halls and have often found my self conciously or unconciously distracted by levels of noise (usually excessive music that is played too high). Lately, I tried using ear plugs to "quiet" the atmosphere. The idea actually occured to me after hearing (mind the pun) about Shane Van Boenings hearing impairment...and how that might actually allow him to shut out distractions.

At any rate, I actually think that my pool performance has increased dramatically by using ear plugs. I am now able to better "zone in" on the task at hand. I also can't hear my opponent and any sharking (on purpose or otherwise). The only drawback that I can perceive is that I can not hear the clicking of the balls as well. However, I've adapted to the point where that no longer bothers me.

Regards,

Doug
Click to expand...


When I played in a lot of loud bars I always wore ear plugs, the foam kind. I have long hair and you can't tell I am wearing them.
 
ear plugs

I have thought about that idea myself here at my room. Will get a pair and see for myself. Seems to me that some of the people that want the quiet in my room are the ones that make all the noise. The wanta be players that aren`t as good as they think the are. And there is no loud music at my place either.
 
I wear hearing aides and I normally cut them to the t-coil mode which shuts them off normally. However, if the table is lighted with fluorescent bulbs, then it makes my hearing aides buzz when I swap to that mode. I noticed that Hennessee and some others in tourneys I have shot in this year wear Mp3 players and such. I am thinking of going that route perhaps with fluorescent bulbs. If the bulbs are not fluorescent I still cut my hearing aides off though, as the aides then serve as ear plugs. Really helps my concentration level.

Shorty
 
I shoot with an mp3 player. It helps me not only zone people out, but the music that some people play doesn't suit my tastes.
 
Sweet Marissa said:
I shoot with an mp3 player. It helps me not only zone people out, but the music that some people play doesn't suit my tastes.
Click to expand...

I've seen pics in InsidePool with BJ Ussery and Joey Korsiak doing this. I would definitely try it if I had an mp3 joint.

So what's good zone out/hone in pool music? Kenny Loggins, Yanni, Celine Dion, all of the above (ha)?
 
NaClBandit said:
I've seen pics in InsidePool with BJ Ussery and Joey Korsiak doing this. I would definitely try it if I had an mp3 joint.

So what's good zone out/hone in pool music? Kenny Loggins, Yanni, Celine Dion, all of the above (ha)?
Click to expand...
I like alternative and indie rock, and for good measure I sing along.

For about $100, I highly recommend them.
 
earplugs, music players
Click to expand...
The problem I have, as your opponent in league play, is that it's my responsibility to make sure you hear it when I say "Roll Out", "Push Out", or "Safety". It's also difficult to get your attention if I want you to stop in order to get someone else to watch the hit.

It would be O.K. if playing for funsies, but I don't like it in league play.
 
You can get high-end ear-buds that are specifically designed to block out external noise in addition to providing high quality audio reproduction. If you really want to go the whole way you have a mold of your inner-ear custom made. Etymotics and Shure are the main companies selling these, they have different models with different ratings for how much ambient noise they block in db.

FWIW I saw Vivian Villareal warming up at the San Diego WPBA tour stop listening to an iPod in one ear only but she took it off once the match started. (Although this was a televised match, perhaps that was why)

In an ideal world you'd have an wireless setup. I have an MP3-capable cell phone I use sometimes with a wireless Bluetooth headset that works, but it is only in one ear and has terrible sound quality.
 
Years ago, the first time I saw Eric Durbin was at Shooters in Olathe, KS. Before each match, I would see him take a quarter and put it in each ear. He did quite well in the tournament although I know he didn't win. I wondered at the time if he was doing it to block out noise or just being a bit strange. I didn't know him at all so I never approached to ask.

I also wonder why Earl, who uses every contraption known to man, doesn't use earplugs from some sponsor? Probably because then he wouldn't be able to hear when he talks to himself during the match.
 
I thought about playing with an mp3 player on, but I wasn't sure how people would take it, like cutting everyone out. If your just practicing thats one thing but if your on a team or in a tournament I think some might not approve? or think it was disrespectful?

I would love to do it, I think I could stay in the zone better, but I would think it would be in bad taste, I haven't seen anyone in a golf tournament do this.
 
watchez said:
I also wonder why Earl, who uses every contraption known to man, doesn't use earplugs from some sponsor? Probably because then he wouldn't be able to hear when he talks to himself during the match.
Click to expand...
He could loop an mp3 of himself singing My Way.
 
I sometimes practice with a MP3 player they are tiny and can fit anywhere. Also Earbuds for headphoens work well.
 
Ear plugs are ok in my book, however I've never worn them to play pool. Listening to a player is ok for practice I suppose but not for competition.

Playing a round of golf one day near ASU jet planes flew overhead. Karsten is right smack dab in the middle of the flight path. I couldn't concentrate with all that noise. I didn't have ear plugs so I used a couple of cigarette filters instead. Hell my game got worst so I took them out. Something about hearing the click of the ball plus I felt unstable. I think pool would be the same for me. When I played a lot, focus wasn't an issue.

Rod
 
And ...

it also allows your opponent, the good fella he is, to put
a hustle or shark on you because you can not hear what
is going on, especially if he has 'good' friends watching the
match ...

Most of the time I am absorbed into the match, and when
I am at the table, I am not aware of what is going on
elsewhere.
 
All I know is that whoever I am playing that has earplugs better not argue with me when I tell them 'push'.
 
Can't play with earplugs

I tried playing with a walkman a few years ago. Distractions such as noise and loud (wiseass) comments were cut away, but I felt like I was playing with a pillow over my head. Very important part for me is to hear the cue hit the cueball, the audible click of my Scruggs and to hear the cueball clicking with the other balls and the balls dropping down the pockets and possibly the silent rumbling of the ball returning system.

IMHO pool is filled with sounds you expect to hear and it helps your (at least my) concentration. Cutting off these sounds didn't help me, I felt like I was shooting in a void with hardly any feedback on my shots. Also, when I'm hitting 'em well, I feel like the sound of the cue hitting the cueball is also different. Sometimes it helps me just to concentrate on this sound and getting it out of the stroke.

Any opinions and similar experiences ?
 
Salamander said:
Hi all,

Just thought I would toss this idea out there. I have been playing for years in various pool halls and have often found my self conciously or unconciously distracted by levels of noise (usually excessive music that is played too high). Lately, I tried using ear plugs to "quiet" the atmosphere. The idea actually occured to me after hearing (mind the pun) about Shane Van Boenings hearing impairment...and how that might actually allow him to shut out distractions.

At any rate, I actually think that my pool performance has increased dramatically by using ear plugs. I am now able to better "zone in" on the task at hand. I also can't hear my opponent and any sharking (on purpose or otherwise). The only drawback that I can perceive is that I can not hear the clicking of the balls as well. However, I've adapted to the point where that no longer bothers me.

Regards,

Doug
Click to expand...

No noise I can shut out for the most part, it is the excessive movement that drives me crazy, people standing in your line of sight, moving around, etc. I don't figure I'll shoot too well if I wear a blindfold though. What truly amazes me is the wait staff has not been prepped on pool etiquette, they walk through your line of sight or shimmy around behind you when you're shooting like you're not even there.
There is one all woman team in our league which can sometimes be very distracting. If they one of them wins (a somewhat rare event) they all scream and I mean scream. They're basically pretty young and as the night goes on and they get drunker the scream volume and frequency increases. Come to think of it they may make earplugs a good idea all by themselves
 
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