Ok, So I know how important hearing is. I've tried using ear plugs before but the sound is always so muffled. and will usually pull them out of my ears after only a few notes. I would like to use ear plugs and I have heard there are some that won't muffle out the music but will protect your hearing at the same time. Can anyone recommend a good pair of ear plugs that won't muffle out sound that are reasonably priced? I heard of custom ones but they cost like $200. The most I'd be willing to spend is $40. It's REALLY important that the music does not get muffled AT ALL! this is the ONLY reason why I don't wear them now. I play hard rock so it's always very loud.. Thanks
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ear Plugs??
- Thread starter GraffixNyc
- Start date
personally I think the personalised ones are the way to go. a guitarist buddy of mine got some because he's planning on going professional and was recommended to get some. he says they're wonderful, everything sounds the same except the volume is lower! I'm thinking of getting some too to protect my hearing (and being this guys regular bass player I'm gonna be needing them 
). it is afterall besides your hands the most necassary and easily damaged in making music.
). it is afterall besides your hands the most necassary and easily damaged in making music.
A friendly thought...
You hearing isn't worth 200.00? It is only worth 40.00? When you go deaf enough to NOT hear the music at all or the conversations of someone you love....what will it be worth then?
IMHO - You should learn what the sound is like with the plugs in. Understand that you are hearing the muffled sound and that your "real" sound is right and you are just protecting your hearing.
Go to the hearing center near you and get your ears checked. While there talk with the doc and tell him/her what you do (play in a hard rock band) and do they have any products that will cut the volume by 20+ dBv.
I am looking for that option myself. I use the squishy foam rubber-like-substance for shows ... until I either get the in-ear setup or the plugs that cut 20+ dBv.
Docs Pro Plugs are supposed to be pretty good. But I've never used them...
When I'm not using headphones for monitoring, I use Heros for musicians and I find they don't muffle at all...they just kinda turn it down.
When I'm not using headphones for monitoring, I use Heros for musicians and I find they don't muffle at all...they just kinda turn it down.
I have always wondered this same thing. I know that simple foam earplugs could never do this because high frequencies will be attenuated more than low frequencies causing the muffled sound. This is seen in everything higher frequencies do not penetrate as deeply into objects as lower frequencies. I think you would need some sort of active earplug if they exist. Otherwise maybe there is a material that will allow higher frequencies to pass through, but i have never heard of such a thing.
I used to play in a 7 piece band with a LOUD guitarist, a hard hitting drummer and a horn section. After a year or so of gigs 4 nights a week and 2 nights a week rehearsals, I decided to commit to custom plugs.
I have the custom ear plugs with a set of 15db and 25db filters. I use the 15db.
They cost me $85 for everything (ear examine\mold, plugs and filters) back in 1997 when I bought them.
At the time I thought that was A LOT of $$$ for plugs, but I've used these for EVERYTHING (concerts, sporting events, rehearsals, gigs, yard work, etc).
Realistically, what's $200 vs permanent hearing loss or tinnatis (sp?)? Shoot, we drop mad money on gear that damages our hearing (amps, cabs, effects, pups, etc.) without a second thought.
If I lost this pair, I'd whip out 200 beans for another set vs having a permanent ringing in my ears for life or more frequency loss!
I have the custom ear plugs with a set of 15db and 25db filters. I use the 15db.
They cost me $85 for everything (ear examine\mold, plugs and filters) back in 1997 when I bought them.
At the time I thought that was A LOT of $$$ for plugs, but I've used these for EVERYTHING (concerts, sporting events, rehearsals, gigs, yard work, etc).
Realistically, what's $200 vs permanent hearing loss or tinnatis (sp?)? Shoot, we drop mad money on gear that damages our hearing (amps, cabs, effects, pups, etc.) without a second thought.
If I lost this pair, I'd whip out 200 beans for another set vs having a permanent ringing in my ears for life or more frequency loss!
any cheap ear plugs i've used do nothing but muffle, it is worth the money to get good ones that fit you well, if this is a big part of your life, nothing can be more important than saving your hearing.
personally I think the personalised ones are the way to go. a guitarist buddy of mine got some because he's planning on going professional and was recommended to get some. he says they're wonderful, everything sounds the same except the volume is lower! I'm thinking of getting some too to protect my hearing (and being this guys regular bass player I'm gonna be needing them
+1!. I've had my custom earplugs since last October and they're great! DanielM, they're just as your guitarist buddy described them. I play in a nine-piece band and I never do a gig without them. I use the -15 db filter with mine. I had the -25 filters but they blocked a bit too much. Make the investment, you'll be glad you did.
Carlo T.
With good floor monitors, I have been using basic shooting -30dB ear plugs and have never had a problem hearing anything in my band.
I have Etymotics and they're fine for $20 but they cut too much sound for my liking - I can't hear enough of the guitars to really match them well. I found another brand that works great for me and even has interchangeable dB filters - and best of all, they're $25 plus shipping. Alpine. I've been using them for about 6 months now.
I do value my hearing, but to me as a hobbyist spending more on earplugs than I do on a bass is just silly. Earplugs are nothing fancy or high-tech, and IMO charging more than $50 for generic, pre-made earplugs is freakin' exhorbitant. They're just pieces of plastic that probably cost 10 cents to make!!
However, if I were a pro, I'd certainly go with custom-made ones even though they cost a lot, because the cost/benefit ratio would shift. Custom-molded earplugs are worth it for those who use them constantly, and they're the only way to go if you want a monitor feed back into one ear.
I recommend these: Alpine MusicSafe Earplugs, $24.95!!
Link Removed
They come with two sets of filters so you can select the amount of dB reduction you want. These work MUCH better for me than the Etymotics, and they're a good value. I can both converse and play while wearing them.
I do value my hearing, but to me as a hobbyist spending more on earplugs than I do on a bass is just silly. Earplugs are nothing fancy or high-tech, and IMO charging more than $50 for generic, pre-made earplugs is freakin' exhorbitant. They're just pieces of plastic that probably cost 10 cents to make!!
However, if I were a pro, I'd certainly go with custom-made ones even though they cost a lot, because the cost/benefit ratio would shift. Custom-molded earplugs are worth it for those who use them constantly, and they're the only way to go if you want a monitor feed back into one ear.
I recommend these: Alpine MusicSafe Earplugs, $24.95!!
Link Removed
They come with two sets of filters so you can select the amount of dB reduction you want. These work MUCH better for me than the Etymotics, and they're a good value. I can both converse and play while wearing them.
I got a set of the custom fit ones (paid about $175). Honestly, worth every penny. There's nothing else on earth you can buy for $175 that will make you, your rig, and your band sound that much better in an instant!
Thankfully, I work for the US Army Band, so I have been provided with custom molded ear plugs with interchangeable filter screens which allow me to select anywhere from 5db to 25db reduction, while still maintaining the clarity of most of the frequencies being filtered.
Now, they don't work perfectly and you still lose a lot of the finer, distant nuances of a piece or concert, but, I would have to agree that your hearing if so important that only a fool would ignore the fact that hearing protection is vital.
I wear earplugs at 90% of all my rehearsals, because I believe so firmly in the fact that the things we endure today have serious repercussions later in life.
So what, you are young and like to rock out loud?
Well, one day you won't be so young and you may be that old man wearing the hearing aid and always yelling, " WHAT!?!
I really wish I could force people to wear some form of hearing protection, but I can't. All I can say is that you can by some Hearos, which work alright, for 8bucks at guitar center and they fit on your keychain.
Don't be dumb, if you are playing loud.
Now, they don't work perfectly and you still lose a lot of the finer, distant nuances of a piece or concert, but, I would have to agree that your hearing if so important that only a fool would ignore the fact that hearing protection is vital.
I wear earplugs at 90% of all my rehearsals, because I believe so firmly in the fact that the things we endure today have serious repercussions later in life.
So what, you are young and like to rock out loud?
Well, one day you won't be so young and you may be that old man wearing the hearing aid and always yelling, " WHAT!?!
I really wish I could force people to wear some form of hearing protection, but I can't. All I can say is that you can by some Hearos, which work alright, for 8bucks at guitar center and they fit on your keychain.
Don't be dumb, if you are playing loud.
The Hearos High Fidelity plugs are absolutely wonderful for the price. They're $12 or so but sound just fine.
I've got those, also. They're just rebranded Invalid Link Removed Definitely one of the top non-custom plugs available.
I like custom molded 15db plugs, but if you can't afford $150 every couple of years, the etymotic Er20s are better than nothing, and the ER20s are better than foam earplugs
the problem with foam earplugs is they usually block the lowest frequencies causing you to "turn up" louder than maybe you should be. er20s and molded musicians plugs have a "flatter" frequency response that helps to keep you closer to the real frequency response of the band.
I play in a moderately loud CHURCH BAND and I use Musician molded earplugs. Its more enjoyable for me because I'm not constantly worrying if I'm hurting my hears!!! I'm sure I am still hurting a bit, but not as much as naked!!!
the problem with foam earplugs is they usually block the lowest frequencies causing you to "turn up" louder than maybe you should be. er20s and molded musicians plugs have a "flatter" frequency response that helps to keep you closer to the real frequency response of the band.
I play in a moderately loud CHURCH BAND and I use Musician molded earplugs. Its more enjoyable for me because I'm not constantly worrying if I'm hurting my hears!!! I'm sure I am still hurting a bit, but not as much as naked!!!
