Do You Use Ear Plugs And If So Which Ones?

[ThingsAbove]

I've used both the 20db solid blue Hearos and the $15 pro Hearos with the hole in the middle.

In my opinion they both dramatically effect the tone. I never like the way my bass sounds with them in. Don't keep fiddling with your tone after you put them in or you'll find your upper mids and treble are waaay too bright for the "unplugged" ears in the audience.

 

[LiamPodmore]

Westone custom molds - ended up costing me $100 through my audiologist. They are fantastic. The downside is that i have great difficulty singing with them in. I'm thinking about using them on one ear and an IEM on the other.

Why not just use IEM on both ears?

I use Hearos Rock n Roll, need to get some new ones though as these don't fit as well as they should.

Liam

 

[NKBassman]

I bought a custom molded set of "musicians earplugs" from my audiologist a few years ago, and I love them. I think mine were around $200 for the pair, and they have interchangeable filters that I can get at varying dB cuts. I think I have -15dB right now, but I can get a few options between like -8 to -30 or something. I've found them to be a vast improvement over foam plugs in terms of not altering the sound too much. Just quieter. And they're so comfortable sometimes I forget I have them in.

When I forget to bring my fancy ones I'll use anything I can find from the cheapest simple non-tapered yellow foam plugs (I actually prefer these over other tapered foam plugs, they fit better), to wadded up toilet paper if there's nothing else around.

However, I never wear earplugs when I'm actually on stage, only when I'm out on the floor watching other bands.

 

[chuck norriss]

I'm high-tech: I use tissue or napkins rolled up into a ball. Just enough to block out the highs that bother me, not enough to block the lows that I want.

 

[Ewo]

I've been using the Etymotic musician's plugs for a while, and am very happy with them.

Here's a place that sells them, and other brands.

 

[naufal6161]

I'm using Hearos regular
actually I wanted for the extreme one
but while I bought that thing, I'm didn't yet know how to use it, and I thought the extreme are also extremely large and won't fit my ear

for the future, I want the wireless In-ear monitor
not only for protecting my ear, also for monitoring the sound

 

[Pauler1976]

If things get out of hand, I go to a club or concert, I use the Alpine Music Safe ones mentioned above by DWBass. They work great and allow enough sound through to hear everything clearly. Only 15.00CAD

 

[ExaltBass]

I primarily use Westone Musicians Ear Plugs - custom ear mold (ER9 -9db) with my band, but keep a pair of Etyplugs in my car just in case...

 

[fourfinger]

I primarily use Westone Musicians Ear Plugs - custom ear mold (ER9 -9db) ...

Likewise, except -25db. Great earplugs; no complaints whatsoever.

 

[ExaltBass]

Likewise, except -25db. Great earplugs; no complaints whatsoever.

I guess we play quieter...

 

[bassfox]

I have been using the Westone earplugs for years. They do take some getting use to especially if you sing.

 

[lokikallas]

Westone custom molds - ended up costing me $100 through my audiologist. They are fantastic. The downside is that i have great difficulty singing with them in. I'm thinking about using them on one ear and an IEM on the other.

+1
They are expensive, but blow away any of the non molded versions I've tried. You can wear them for hours and forget you've got them in until people ask you why you're shouting. It's a one time investment in something that is irreplaceable. Well worth it to me. I bring them to every rehearsal, gig, and concert I attend. How much do you spend on gear? Is it really that much to spend 125$ on the most important part of your setup? I have a few different filters, the 15db, 25db, and the solid plugs. They are very flat frequency response. Most earplugs kill the high end, but these sound the same, just quieter. The 15db is for my r&b gig, the 25db for the thrash band and concerts, and the solid plugs are for plane trips/snoring hotel room mates. Get a hearing test while your at it!

 

[groovaholic]

I absolutely, positively, always always always wear earplugs.

I just like the yellow triple-flange ones they sell for $4 at Home Depot or Lowe's...

Cheap and VERY easy to replace, and they seem to attenuate fairly evenly.

Bottom line, though, is you have to find a set that's comfortable, then get used to how things sound when they are in.

It's gonna be DIFFERENT, but you only have one set of ears to last you the rest of your life, so it's an adjustment well worth making!

John

 

[MrLenny1]

Whatever you get, use them, especially around loud guitars.
I have significant hearing loss due to damn loud geetards.
Once you lose it, it's gone for good.
Be aware of other loud noises in life too.

 

[mophead]

E A R custom molds with changeable filters. I play with the -9 db filters. If I am in the crowd at a concert is use the -25 decibel filters. Very comfy. Cast about $150 with three sets of filters.

Bought them at a gun show to get the custom fit. Think they come from Colorado, maybe Boulder?

 

[rockstarbassist]

Custom Westone UM56's, -9db filter.

Perfection.

 

[walker rosewood]

There is a 35 page sticky in this very live sound section, not two inches away from the new topic button. It's very informative.

I also use custom molds, the Westone ES-49 with the -15db plugs. It's the flatest frequency response you'll ever find in earplugs. They come with solid plugs too, that sound more like the foamies. Mine were $180 with full exam.