Best Molded Professional Musicians Earplugs

[Jim C]

I just turned 61, have been a musician for a very long time, 6 years full time recording engineer, and raced some drag cars / motorcycles.

I've been pretty good about max SPL vs. Exposure but a little under the norm for my age. (I'm down at 4K)
If you are looking for a tool to measure SPL, I highly recomend dB PRO for your smart phone.
It may not be dead on / traceable to NIST, but it is a very helpful guide.

Recently working on a project that is too loud.
I've tried alot of the so called musicians ear plugs and not happy with the fidelity.
I'm told that the molded in ear plugs (from an audiologist) are the best.

I'm also told that Westone makes the best units.
Anybody have any experience with these or other suggestions as I have an appointment for next week.
TIA

 

[ProfFrink]

I've been also having this issue whenever I play with people who are "problematic" with their levels, and haven't yet come up with a good solution. There's a balance that you need to strike between hearing yourself and your musical surrounding, and protecting your hearing, and there's also the quality factor.

In the past I've had some success with the simple and cheap, Etymotics, but that was with a "moderately loud" band. With a "slightly loud" band - I find that they don't give me enough musical "information" and I feel isolated and lost. I hadn't had the pleasure yet, but I imagine that with a "really loud" band I would have the opposite problem of not getting enough isolation.

... and that after spending only the 20$ or whatever these cost - not the hundreds the good molded ones require...

 

[Tom Lane]

I just turned 61, have been a musician for a very long time, 6 years full time recording engineer, and raced some drag cars / motorcycles.

I've been pretty good about max SPL vs. Exposure but a little under the norm for my age. (I'm down at 4K)
If you are looking for a tool to measure SPL, I highly recomend dB PRO for your smart phone.
It may not be dead on / traceable to NIST, but it is a very helpful guide.

Recently working on a project that is too loud.
I've tried alot of the so called musicians ear plugs and not happy with the fidelity.
I'm told that the molded in ear plugs (from an audiologist) are the best.

I'm also told that Westone makes the best units.
Anybody have any experience with these or other suggestions as I have an appointment for next week.
TIA

I bought the Westone's a year or so ago. Now I use them everywhere, movie, ballet, symphony, band rehearsal, etc. For a bit extra you can get different strengths of dB cut, I think it's 10 to 30 dB. I've been using the middle one most of the time, 20 dB. Very comfortable and I don't find the coloration of the tone significant, but find that I can frequently hear better with them on. They're not cheap, but I thought they were a good value. One thing to be aware of, is there are some other brands with "clones" of the Westone product, but it's not an important line for them, so I would stay away from them and you'll want to check that your provider is well familiar with the Westone's before ordering from them.

 

[crammit442]

I can't recommend Westone highly enough. I use Westone custom stage monitors for audiophile quality hearing protection. I need hearing protection at work and while using outdoor power tools. The incredible fit and isolation has been a game changer for me. Since I require hearing protection anyway, it may as well be pro level stage/audiophile sound. I'm able to get 26+ dB NRR rated hearing protection which alows listening to my entire library of music at very comfortable (safe) volume levels through 5 driver, perfectly tuned customs.! I also use their custom "musician's" earplugs. The attenuation is dead flat so you hear full frequency, correct sound, but at safe SPL'S (your choice of filters rated in dB reduction). There are definitely other quality brands, but Westone is the original pro level custom in ear stage monitor and their customer service is second to none. They can be a bit pricey, but they make my daily life far more enjoyable. If you decide to go the Westone route, ask for Rachelle (Julie's also great) and tell her Charles said hi (from the "beaver") and to give you the hookup. They can explain all the options and features so you can get what you actually need. I can't even imagine working w/o them. Yearly hearing tests show that I'm effectively protecting my hearing. I pay full price for my earphones and don't want to sound like a Westone rep; they've just treated me very well for over ten years now.
Charles

WESTONE: 800-525-5071

www.westone.com