Ear protection

[BBox Bass]

I have tragus and daith piercings in both ears and use Etymotic ETY plugs. I wear them whenever I play out or listen to bands at bars. They don't bother my piercings at all, nor do the rings interfere with their functionality.

 

[treekiller]

I got a set of molded plugs from an audiologist a couple of years ago after dealing with a guitard playing thru a 100w Marshall half-stack and they are worth every penny!!! well under $200.00(USD) and have 3 different interchangeable filters up to -25db. I already have mild tinnunitis and I'm not going to risk having it get any worse!!!

 

[fokof]

Went to see an audiologist in my city and made a pair of custom ear pads. You can change the pad form 6-9-12-15 up to 25db. Still hear everything equal but softer.

There is a lowend "feeling" that is different with , say , a 15db pad , you can "feel" the acoustic pressure of the lowend but hear it like it is softer.
With the pad on , you have a tendency to lower the bottom end of the signal because of this phenomena.

Takes some time getting used to.

 

[iPie]

turns out i can get them from sensorcom

now to decide whether i can justify the price of custom moulded ones or not...

if i did go that route which would people suggest out of the 15 or 25 db ones?

 

[kevingr]

i cant seem to find anywhere i can get etymotic earplugs in the UK?

you're kidding, right. just search on eBay for ER-20 and you will immediately find dozens around the £8 mark.

 

[Skitch it!]

turns out i can get them from sensorcom

now to decide whether i can justify the price of custom moulded ones or not...

if i did go that route which would people suggest out of the 15 or 25 db ones?

Well, maybe leave the moulded plugs for later on down the line, the main thing is that you use something, tinnitus is bad news, and permanent.

I went for the -25db's, due to playing some tight stages with the kit and cymbals v.close. I've found them fine for normal conversational volume though because of the remaining top-end, no prob's.

I bought them at the place in the link below about 14 years ago for £146, so did a lot of other muso's I know at the time, but there are a few more companies doing this now so more op's out there.

Go with what you can afford, your ears are your most important bit of kit, any investment in keeping them in good shape is money well spent.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[lindseyp]

I like these: Invalid Link Removed . Sometimes I use them when I'm NOT playing music because I tend to be near the musicians when I'm singing with the choir. If nothing else, I'm wearing at least one in whichever ear is closest to the musicians or the monitors.

 

[pbass2go]

I have debated on custom molds for earplugs.
I have been using the yellow marshmellow type ear plugs for so long I am used to the muffled everything. I work on airplanes for the day job...
I am afraid spend the money and find I dont like the sound.

The extreme muffling makes it easier for me to tell if I am singing in tune or not, but makes me need a louder monitor volume. (which I never have)

 

[steveksux]

What are the custom molded earplugs going for now?

Wondering how much more an entry level IEM with moderate universal fit earbuds would be cost-wise? IEM is really a much better solution, but I fear also much more expensive.

Randy