Dummy loads

[gearhead63]

I use a couple of the (Chinese) aluminum case 100 watt 4 ohm resistors mounted to a heat sink with a fan. I have them so I can use one (4 ohm) or both in series (8 ohm).
They work pretty good. Haven't fried them yet.

[Chuck H]

It's not loud. I only really hear it when going to bed, but damn.

Same here. I'm not even sure it was caused by loud music. As a painting contractor I use a high pressure washer pretty often. The waster atomizing at high pressure is VERY loud in the HF. Not too much trouble until I'm in a closed in space with close, opposing walls like an entry way or breezeway. Then it's noticeable, but doesn't immediately seem uncomfortable. After such circumstances I notice my ears ringing more obviously though. This revelation was about ten years ago and I wear ear protection now when washing in close quarters. I'm also exposed to construction on occasion. Table saws, tile saws, jack hammers, etc. It happens on new construction. I wear ear protection whenever it seems necessary. I use to just pack pieces of rolled up rag into my ear holes but now I keep a pack of disposable ear plugs in the truck (a total middle aged guy move ) I can still hear to somewhere beyond 15kHz. Maybe not much higher and certainly not as well as I use to. Anyway...

It's the HF that's going to kill your ears and cause tinnitus. If you play through a combo or half stack and stand close to it you're probably ok. Ear level speakers with heavy HF will drive lightning bolts straight into your head. Even if you have a good sounding frequency balance, it's the direct HF that'll get you. I never did, and still don't use ear plugs for playing, but I pay close attention to circumstances and I do use them with some power tools and certainly the high pressure washer. I'm sure all the loud music didn't help. I don't think it was the straw that broke the camels ears though. I think, in my case, it was occupational, mostly.

So use your ear and eye protection guys!!! Whenever you're around any sort of industrial noise. And, I suppose if you play metal, even when you play loud guitar. Though I don't think earplugs for music are necessary most of the time if you know what to look out for. I hate to wear earplugs when playing. Too much like a condom for sex.

[Enzo]

So when the doctor tells you you have come down with venereal disease, you won't be able to hear him?