Musician close to speakers...

I have been the lead singer in a band until a year ago. I am feeling well enough now that I may consider performing again. I was told that if I get too close to the speakers, I could pass out. This would be so unattractive... and possibly dangerous!

Are there any musicians out there who have stage experience with speakers and feedback monitors and such? Are your pacemakers okay when you perform? I have a small PA system at home and am wanting to set it up, but would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Kate

2 Comments

speakers

by Tracey_E - 2014-06-27 09:06:13

They'd have to be pretty big to cause problems. Don't carry it or sit on it, but being near it should be ok. Rule of thumb on smaller magnets is only 6", tho it's probably more than that on a big speaker but still not a huge distance. Experiment and see how you feel.

Even if the speakers cause problems, they won't make the pm turn off so it's unlikely you'd pass out. The pm has a switch, a magnet can pull that switch closed and put it in test mode. That's what they do every time we have it interrogated. You won't do any damage by testing it out, worst case you feel like you do when they interrogate. As soon as you get away from the magnet, the switch opens again and it goes back to full function with no harm done.

Speakers

by Grateful Heart - 2014-06-27 11:06:04


I have an ICD. We went to an outdoor music festival and when I sat in the front (open seating) I was close to the speakers that were at least 10 feet high.....there were many and they towered over the band. I didn't feel well. I then realized it must have been the speakers. I got up and moved away towards the back and felt better.

It was not the reverberation that is felt at many concerts. I've felt that pre-ICD, this was my device.

Some of us are more sensitive to our devices than others. I always feel it when my device is being interrogated in the office. My Nurse said many people never feel it.

My settings were changed by a device rep after a procedure and he never told me he changed anything. On the way home, I knew something was wrong with my device settings. I could feel it in my chest. I went straight to the Cardio's office and my Nurse confirmed the settings were changed and reset it to the pre-procedure settings. Now I make sure no one changes my settings without discussing it with me first.

We are all different. Like Sparrow and Tracey said, try it and see. It will not damage your device, you may just feel very uncomfortable and then you will know.

Grateful Heart

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.