I found out that I have hearing damage to hi frequency. When I'm playing in the band I'm in. I have a hard time hearing really low notes. Can anyone reccomend a certain brand of musicans ear plugs to help me
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Ear Plugs
- Thread starter hooperbass
- Start date
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Foam earplugs block the most sound, but give you a very skewed sense of your volume and dynamics. I suggest Hearos (the same brand as the foam ones), but using their 'Hi-Fi' musician's earplugs. They look a little funky, but if you're concerned about your hearing you won't care about that. They're usually around $12 and you can clean them, making them a wise investment that will last. I usually get at least a year or two out of a set.
pbd
Commercial User
I dropped the money on ear molds a few years ago, they have interchangable filters on them so you can tune in what you want a bit, they are also a flatter response in db drop so get a more natural sounding volume reduction.
your ears are worth it
Todd
your ears are worth it
Todd
I did that back then, too, until a piece of paper broke off in my ear and I had to go to the doctor to get it out. Not fun.
I've got custom molded ear protection now. It works a lot better.
I really like the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] plugs (they're almost identical to the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]plugs). Foam earplugs block more than you'll need most of the time, and they block out high frequencies much more than low. Musicians earplugs like these are pretty inexpensive and are much flatter in their attenuation.
pbd
Commercial User
Ouch! I just did the old paper napkin earplug thing a couple of days ago after forgetting to bring plugs to a rehearsal - I'll think twice about it now!
I dropped the money on ear molds a few years ago, they have interchangable filters on them so you can tune in what you want a bit, they are also a flatter response in db drop so get a more natural sounding volume reduction.
your ears are worth it
Todd
+1000! I've had the same set of custom plugs since 1998. I use them for everything from concerts, gigs, practice, sporting events. They've been especially useful for sporting events! You don't realize how fking loud it gets in a hockey arena, football or baseball stadium after a goal, TD or HR.
Last time the subject of ear protection came up, someone mentioned how amazing it is that we have no problem spending hundreds\thousands of $$ on our gear that can potentially damage our hearing, but won't fork up $200 for something that can preserve it!
YMMV.
I was told that those custom fitted ear plug are good from 2-3 years and need to be replaced after.
Damn! Then I'm WAAAYYY overdue! LOL! I've been thinking about getting a new set anyway. I'll have to drop Etymotic a line and find out.
Plus they have the 9db buttons now. IIRC, back when I bought them, they were only available with 15db and 25db.
Maybe it is just a commercial argument and custom fitted ear plug are good forever??
As a side note, I have -15dB and I am planning to buy -25 dB filter, I wouldn't recommand -9dB for a musician.
I emailed them to find out. I'm sure I'll get something to the effect of, "YOU MUST REPLACE THEM NOW! PLEASE SEND $200 to...."
Which, again, I'll have no problem forking over based on my satisfaction with them! Plus, I'm probably due. These things have been in the wash more than a few times! lol!Interesting, why not the 9db filter? I've always felt the 25db was too much filtering for onstage (perfectly fine for concerts\sports) and the 15db could afford to be 10-12db.
I've actually never used my 25db filters. The 15db have done me right for all events, except for onstage where I felt I was turning up too loud for monitoring to compensate for the filter and the rest of the band.
I emailed them to find out. I'm sure I'll get something to the effect of, "YOU MUST REPLACE THEM NOW! PLEASE SEND $200 to...."
Interesting, why not the 9db filter? I've always felt the 25db was too much filtering for onstage (perfectly fine for concerts\sports) and the 15db could afford to be 10-12db.
I've actually never used my 25db filters. The 15db have done me right for all events, except for onstage where I felt I was turning up too loud for monitoring to compensate for the filter and the rest of the band.
It probably depend on how loud your band is, I am in a rock/blues band and I wouldn't get -9dB filter. Thoses guitars are too loud despite the not to heavy drummer (the quietest I had). Those filter would do for a Jazz band probably.
If you plan to buy multiple filters, go for it!
My first set were 25dB, and when I used them I felt very disconnected from the band, plus when I sang, my own voice was all I could hear. I got a 12dB set and they were just about right.I emailed them to find out. I'm sure I'll get something to the effect of, "YOU MUST REPLACE THEM NOW! PLEASE SEND $200 to...."
Interesting, why not the 9db filter? I've always felt the 25db was too much filtering for onstage (perfectly fine for concerts\sports) and the 15db could afford to be 10-12db.
I've actually never used my 25db filters. The 15db have done me right for all events, except for onstage where I felt I was turning up too loud for monitoring to compensate for the filter and the rest of the band.
YMMV.
Ditto! I felt disconnected from how my rig (keys) sat in the genral onstage mix. Where did you get 12db filters?
