Discreet but GOOD hearing protection?

[lokikallas]

Westone custom molds

 

[lz4005]

They are dreadful for attenuation. They make everything sound like your head is underwater. I stopped using those on stage a long time ago because I simply couldn't hear anything. Modern design plugs sound much better.

That's a good reason not to use them. OP doesn't like them because of how they look.

 

[NaH]

Standing right in front of speakers calls for more than a off shelf plug if you ask me. I wouldn't be shy to ask the congregation to pay for customs for everyone.

Or ask them to move the speakers. Depending on how they are installed, could be a simpler solution for everyone.

 

[socialleper]

That's a good reason not to use them. OP doesn't like them because of how they look.

Discreet but GOOD. The orange things aren't good or discreet. Yes, in a pinch they will work, but considering there a a dozen better options available at a click of a mouse, they aren't a real contender.

 

[Blaine]

I have custom molded plugs, earpeace plugs, and alpine plugs. I like the alpines best. They're the most comfortable for me, and i like having 3 filter choices.

 

[fermata]

I just got a set of Vibes, and they're wonderful: good attenuation, excellent clarity, comfortable, discreet, and inexpensive. Vibes

 

[sabre79]

https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol...467&crop=600:467;center,top&output-quality=90

 

[SAlcott]

So how much did it cost, man ? How much did it cost ?

How much is your hearing worth to you? If you play in a loud band and don't wear protection, you will IRREVERSIBLY damage your hearing. I consider myself lucky at my age, after 50 years of gigging, to have little actual hearing loss (other than the normal HF rolloff) which baffles my audiologist; I do, however have a permanent sine wave at about 3900hz in my right ear that is audible even in the presence of a symphony orchestra at full volume.

 

[lermgalieu]

I used off the shelf Westones for years but still got ringing. Recently got custom westones. Would highly recommend.

 

[buldog5151bass]

@Sid s At the very headstones $20 and get a decent pair of non custom ones. NEVER go to a rehearsal, gig, or concert without them.

There are two things I will not put up with, no matter what - musicians not being prepared, and people playing too loud.

 

[mike o]

For the money you would spend on a decent pedal, you can have custom made plugs which will save your ears. No need to go for a fitting at an audiologists. All can be done at home.
Westone Style ES49 Custom Musicians Ear Plugs With ER Filters (One Pair) - Ear Plugs for Music and Concerts

 

[HolmeBass]

I want to try these:
https://www.amazon.com/Earasers-Musicians-Motorcycles-Sensitivity-Conditions/dp/B07CHVGH97/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1546746235&sr=8-3&keywords=earasers+earplugs&th=1

I use these. Definitely flatter response than foam but I feel still a little tilted response favoring the low end. Seem to cut too many mids, but that’s where my hearing loss is centered, right at 2K.

I might have to try some customs that can allow me to have a reverse smiley face response, cutting the mids less than the lows and highs. Honestly the only thing that bugs me, volume-wise, are the cymbals.

My old boss, a drummer, swears by Vibes. He prefers those to the Erasers.

 

[marcwhy]

Subscribed to the thread! Lots of good info here, thanks. Some brands I know, and others not.

If anyone's going to NAMM this month, look around for plugs -- last time I was there, I scored several (free!).

 

[Thorsoundcore]

For the money you would spend on a decent pedal, you can have custom made plugs which will save your ears. No need to go for a fitting at an audiologists. All can be done at home.
Westone Style ES49 Custom Musicians Ear Plugs With ER Filters (One Pair) - Ear Plugs for Music and Concerts

The only issue with this is, they say there is a risk of possibly damaging your ear while self molding/ not having a pro do it. They claim the chances are slim, but it's enough to keep me second guessing even time I want to consider giving it a try. That'd really suck to end up with permanent damage just from that!

Anybody have any experience?

 

[BrotherRay]

FWIW, I found the Earasers underwhelming. Maybe I have funny ears, but I found they didn't fit well, didn't cut anywhere near enough and still were kinda dark. I seem to be outnumbered, but, well, there it is. Thought I should weigh in. YMMV, as always. The Hearos I got from GC aren't too bad. Wish I could find some Etymotics in the neighborhood.

 

[buldog5151bass]

FWIW, I found the Earasers underwhelming. Maybe I have funny ears, but I found they didn't fit well, didn't cut anywhere near enough and still were kinda dark. I seem to be outnumbered, but, well, there it is. Thought I should weigh in. YMMV, as always. The Hearos I got from GC aren't too bad. Wish I could find some Etymotics in the neighborhood.

Sweetwater has them.

 

[Bassheart365]

Another Eargasm endorsement. They fit better than the customs I had made.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The only issue with this is, they say there is a risk of possibly damaging your ear while self molding/ not having a pro do it. They claim the chances are slim, but it's enough to keep me second guessing even time I want to consider giving it a try. That'd really suck to end up with permanent damage just from that!

Anybody have any experience?

I used this (the Radians) to make inserts for my IEMs. Worked fine.

 

[ObsessiveArcher]

I have tried multiple brands with mixed results. The AVANTEK worked the best for me, I think mainly due to the form factor. I needed the small version to get a good seal. The Eargasms also worked well, but kept popping out.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076BMNSVL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[Omega Monkey]

Not much to "get over".

I think that's the point. You wouldn't catch me even a single time playing in front of a loud stack of speakers without some kind of hearing protection. If I didn't have any on hand? "Hey guys, I'll sit this one out." Now, I don't really like the various foam ones, mainly because they never seem to expand properly or quickly enough. So I use the hearos. But seriously? Worrying that people that are supposed to be "getting with god" are paying too much attention to tiny orange spots in your ears that I guarantee are not noticeable from more than about 10 feet away? Silly at best. Isn't vanity one of the 7 deadly sins anyway? Even leaving aside how I feel about religion in the first place, that seems misguided.

Also funny when people start kind of ridiculous threads and then get mad and run away when people point out how ridiculous the thread is.

Also, is it a church service or a motorhead concert? Absolutely no excuse for excessive volume in that situation and it's the one time you can really tell someone to turn the hell down and have it stick.