Professional ear plugs - where to get them?

**jmattbassplaya** · #1 09-13-2011, 02:24 PM

Hey guys,

My band is beginning to gig quite often and it's becoming apparent that I NEED to get some professional ear plugs. The current ones I'm using right now work well, but seem to cut out the guitars and vocals way too much for my liking. Basically, I want plugs that simply lower the volume without cutting out certain frequencies. Should I make an appointment with an ear doctor and see if they can perhaps construct something for me? If it matters, I'm hoping to get the pair for somewhere in the $100-$200 range.

Thanks,
James M.

Reuben · #2 09-13-2011, 02:36 PM

Check the yellow pages or web for your town and look up Audiologists. Then call them and ask if they will fit you for musicians' ear plugs, for example Westones. Most audiologists are familiar with this. You go in and they make an impression from the inside of your ears and send that off to the plug makers. Anywhere from ten days to a few weeks later you'll be called in to try them on and make sure they're okay and you're done. At some point in the process you'll have to decide which level of filtering to use. There's usually 3 levels, around 9db, 15db or 24db in reduction. Unless you're playing arena rock with walla of amps I recommend the 15db. It's enough for most situations. But if you decide you want more you can always buy the 24db filters later. They are interchangeable with the others once you have the molded plugs.

Reuben · #3 09-13-2011, 02:37 PM

Oh, and you're in luck. Last time I got a new pair they cost about $150 for the pair. Years ago they were a lot more expensive.

doktorfeelgood · #4 09-13-2011, 02:38 PM

This is what I've used for about 10 years and I can't get onstage w/out them. I even use them when I go to see shows at my local Blues venue. Best thing since sliced bread. You will have to go to a local audiologist to get the molds made, tho. But that shouldn't be too difficult. Highly recommended.

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

rockstarbassist · #5 09-13-2011, 02:48 PM

I use the Westone's. I think the UM56's or something? I just checked the website, found the closest ENT that had their products, and that was that.

I recommend the -9db filters too, if you get something fitted/custom done. Because your ear is already going to be "sealed", I started w/ the -15db and it was just too much cut out. Now with the -9db set I use 'em all the time.

Pilgrim · #6 09-13-2011, 04:45 PM

Mine aren't Westones, but they were custom made by my hearing center and work fantastic. They're molded to fit my ears, and I was able to get 9 or 10dB attenuation, which works well for me. Commercial plugs start at 15 dB attenuation, which is too much for me...and as noted above, with an excellent fit you don't need as much attenuation.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 09-13-2011, 11:18 PM

Thanks guys! I'll be sure to hit a place up sometime later this week to schedule an appointment

runmikeyrun · #8 09-14-2011, 06:39 PM

I have them and I love the sound, but after a couple of hours they hurt my ears. I don't wear them as often as I should anymore...

TomB · #9 09-14-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

I have them and I love the sound, but after a couple of hours they hurt my ears. I don't wear them as often as I should anymore...

I have to wonder if they were properly made as I've worn mine for about 15 years and they are quite comfortable.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #10 09-14-2011, 07:18 PM

I went to my wife's uncle who is an ears nose and throat doctor and the audiologist in his practice fitted me for some. The kind I got are called microsonic. Came in a nice small black bag. I got the 15db filters and I think they ran me $90. I play some head banging music so took me awhile to get used to them but now my only regret is I didn't get them sooner!

Honestly I'd recommend them even to non-musicians who go to a lot of shows to protect their ears and have a better listening experience.

**jmattbassplaya** · #11 10-02-2011, 01:14 AM

Just a quick update for anyone who cares, I went in about two days ago for my fitting and should be receiving my new plugs in about a week

It's funny, but I'm actually really excited about these!

SLaPiNFuNK · #12 10-02-2011, 03:01 AM

Nice, let us know what you think!

I was going to also say any place that does hearing aids can do these as well...

Marko5657 · #13 10-02-2011, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Hey guys,

My band is beginning to gig quite often and it's becoming apparent that I NEED to get some professional ear plugs. The current ones I'm using right now work well, but seem to cut out the guitars and vocals way too much for my liking. Basically, I want plugs that simply lower the volume without cutting out certain frequencies. Should I make an appointment with an ear doctor and see if they can perhaps construct something for me? If it matters, I'm hoping to get the pair for somewhere in the $100-$200 range.

Thanks,
James M.

What are you using now? If it’s some cheap foam stuff, maybe all you need are some Hearos… the “high-fidelity” ones are what I use, maybe $12/13, they’re comfortable enough, and everything sounds balanced.

cnltb · #14 10-02-2011, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doktorfeelgood

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

I use the 25db ones. Not by this company but the same apart from that.
I would not go without them.
Very good indeed.

**Ukiah Bass** · #15 10-02-2011, 08:55 AM

I bought Westones in 1999. They worked great but recently I lost one. So I bought a new pair. I also learned the old ones had shrunk so the fit was looser and they were not blocking as much of the sound. The new ones are quite snug. Moral: if you've got old plugs, they may not be protecting your ears as much as you thought.

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 10-02-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko5657

What are you using now? If it’s some cheap foam stuff, maybe all you need are some Hearos… the “high-fidelity” ones are what I use, maybe $12/13, they’re comfortable enough, and everything sounds balanced.

I actually was using the Hearos. They weren't horrible, but they definitely made it hard to hear the guitar and singer. Plus the stuck out of my ear a bit, which was really funny looking.

Marko5657 · #17 10-03-2011, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I actually was using the Hearos. They weren't horrible, but they definitely made it hard to hear the guitar and singer. Plus the stuck out of my ear a bit, which was really funny looking.

Just curious... what is it that you find too loud on stage, or what is it that makes you want earplugs?