Ear protection

iPie · #1 05-09-2011, 03:12 PM

Hi,

Sorry, I know there is a sticky about this but it's mainly people's stories rather than suggestions

Im not really sure what my options are with ear protection.
As far as a i can tell my options are:

IEM
Earplugs
Ear defenders maybe?

Anything ive missed out?

I'd just like to know price ranges for each of these products and which is best?

also if i got IEMs would i be able to use them at pretty much all venues or would they need special equiptment?

Thanks in advance

Stingray89 · #2 05-09-2011, 03:14 PM

I use earplugs that cut out higher levels but you can still hear people talking and such. The guitarist ordered me a pair (got them off of amazon for 10 bucks) but I can't remember the name of the company but they work great. When I go to practice tomorrow I will look at them and tell you the name.

Dymond- · #3 05-09-2011, 03:16 PM

I use the cheapest earplugs around, made for construction and cutting grass, not playing music. Can't hear the bass at all with them in.

BassMonstrum · #4 05-09-2011, 03:23 PM

I got mine molded... GN Resound, I think. Cuts 15db even, as far as I know and hear.

iPie · #5 05-09-2011, 03:34 PM

thanks for the quick replies

I also have a tragus piercing (for those who dont know where that is - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...00506-0013.jpg)

is that likely to affect the effectiveness of any ear protection i get?

spaz21387 · #6 05-09-2011, 03:38 PM

the piercing shouldnt effect the earplugs. I use howard leigh earplugs I got off amazon.

jaywa · #7 05-09-2011, 03:44 PM

I have played for 31 years and never made ear protection a part of my lifestyle until a month ago when I joined a band that required everyone to use IEMs.

I love them, but even if you don't go the IEM route I advise passive hearing protection. I honestly never realized how much 4 hours of stage volume takes out of you physically until I went to the IEMs. I literally have twice the energy at the end of the night as I did going without protection.

There is a fairly significant investment involved in going with pro-grade IEMs (not just the earbuds but the intermediating electronics), but if you're going to be playing a lot it's worth it. Many, many threads have been posted here on TB in recent months that can give you all the info you need on the topic... type "IEM" into the Search engine and dig in.

iPie · #8 05-09-2011, 03:48 PM

sorry i did try the search but i wasnt really sure what i was looking for

id never heard of IEMs before tonight :P

thanks though, ill try the search again and see what i can find

Im actually doing some work experience with the audiology department at southampton uni over summer so maybe i'll ask them! :P

thanks again

superiorpine · #9 05-09-2011, 03:49 PM

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Musicians Earplugs High-Fidelity Hearing Protection

Even if you don't want custom fits, this company makes some varieties off the shelf. I use them to mow the lawn, when running a snow blower, or when the drummer gets too loud.

jaywa · #10 05-09-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPie

sorry i did try the search but i wasnt really sure what i was looking for

id never heard of IEMs before tonight :P

thanks though, ill try the search again and see what i can find

Im actually doing some work experience with the audiology department at southampton uni over summer so maybe i'll ask them! :P

thanks again

Here's one thread that might get you started.

wireless in-ear monitors

MnAirHead in particular is one TB'er who has done a ton of research on this topic, but there are other resident experts hanging out here as well.

sparktone · #11 05-09-2011, 03:53 PM

Haven't gotten around to getting custom-molded earplugs yet so I've been using the off-the-shelf, one-size-fits all ER-20 plugs from Etymotic Research. They use the same sound filters that are found in the custom plugs and provide a "flat" 20 dB reduction. They're a good compromise for passive protection if they fit you well, and they're usually available online for less than $20. I don't gig, practice or club without them any more.

testing1two · #12 05-09-2011, 04:00 PM

Custom fit plugs are the best. If you don't want to pay for custom molds I find these work great for around $20 - MusicSafe Classic Natural Sound Musicians Ear Plugs - Consumer Reusable Ear Plugs

Going to IEMs is a substantial investment and takes a lot of getting used to as a player, especially since you'll never hear that sweet amp you spent all that money on. But hearing loss is unmerciful and permanent so the worst thing you can do is nothing.

salcott · #13 05-09-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superiorpine

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Musicians Earplugs High-Fidelity Hearing Protection

Even if you don't want custom fits, this company makes some varieties off the shelf. I use them to mow the lawn, when running a snow blower, or when the drummer gets too loud.

Been using the ER15s for 20+ years; I wish it were 45+ years.

ack · #14 05-09-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superiorpine

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Musicians Earplugs High-Fidelity Hearing Protection

Even if you don't want custom fits, this company makes some varieties off the shelf. I use them to mow the lawn, when running a snow blower, or when the drummer gets too loud.

Got the whole family a pair of these as my kid's bands practice upstairs. The kids played an outdoor gig this past weekend, and they both (ones a drummer and the other is the guitarist/singer standing right in front of the drums) really liked them. Cut out the ear-piercing highs, yet allowed them to hear some subtleties that other ear protection have historically killed.

Very comfortable, too.

mindinspace · #15 05-09-2011, 04:30 PM

Go with the etymotics, relatively cheap and pretty damn comfortable (just don't be an idiot and jam em into your ears)

I believe they make in-ear headphone buds as well, so if you wanna have a monitor feed via headphones then you can get those.

Plus you can color code them :O

carl h. · #16 05-09-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack

Cut out the ear-piercing highs, yet allowed them to hear some subtleties that other ear protection have historically killed.

What about the audience?

iPie · #17 05-09-2011, 04:32 PM

i cant seem to find anywhere i can get etymotic earplugs in the UK?

ack · #18 05-09-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl h.

What about the audience?

The audience was still subjected to the same ear-splitting noise that I've been subjected to for the past couple of years.

That'll learn 'em. What do you want for free admission?

Skitch it! · #19 05-09-2011, 05:12 PM

I had a set of moulded plugs made years back, I'm not familiar with what's available on the market now or IEM's but it was the best money I've spent in a long time.

You had a choice of filters I remember 15db or 25db, for clarity I find them good, still enough top presence but the thumping volume seems decreased by half. They blend well, unless someone is standing right by the side of you they wouldn't notice them (so maybe handy for complaining girlfriends too : ) They are an essential piece of kit for me both for my own gig's, or going to others where you know it's going to be 'banging', it's not a waste to invest a bit of dough into safeguarding your hearing for sure, and sooner the better ime.

FutureTense · #20 05-09-2011, 06:22 PM

I picked up a set of molded earplugs from Westone a couple years ago instead of using the cheap sets. I couldn't believe the difference. Just the fact that my ears aren't ringing after a gig was more than enough to justify the purchase.

I got the 15db cut. It's almost like listening to the band at a living room volume instead of the unbelievably loud stage volume. I've left them in between sets at times as well, and I have no problem hearing and understanding people when they talk to me at normal volumes.