earplug attenuators - is 15db enough?

[project_c]

Not sure if I'm posting this in the correct section, but I have a question for those who use moulded earplugs fitted with attenuators - I have recently got these and they're great, but I have a choice of 15db and 25db attenuators, and I currently just have the 15's. I'm wondering if 15db is enough to give you adequate protection at loud rehearsals and gigs, or whether 25db is the way to go. What is the general consensus on this? (if there is such a thing..)

 

[Orangeclawhammr]

I'm borderline ignorant enough to have no business responding to this, but IIRC, attenuating 10 db cuts the volume in half. I have some HEAROS that attenuate by about 12 db. I just got them. I wore them at a concert and was able to understand the lyrics for the first time ever. Either of your options beats the socks off of nothing.

 

[dougjwray]

I use the 15s, and they work perfectly for me.

 

[PSPookie]

25 dB is a lot. That's less than a quarter as loud as no ear plugs.

It would be like playing through a 5 watt amp instead of a 1000 watt amp, no?

 

[project_c]

ok, seems like 15 is the way forward, thanks for the suggestions. I can still hear everything very clearly through the 15's, that's why I was doubting them, but I guess that's the point of having specifically fitted earplugs with attenuators. i don't mind the lack of volume, I have mild tinnitus which I don't want to make any worse, so it's mainly my hearing I'm concerned about.

 

[Ed_]

FWIW
I use a set of 20dB plugs (with flat frequency response filters) just to be on the safe side regarding my tinnitus which i've had for years.

 

[fearceol]

I use 25's and I'm happy with them. AFAIK, on some plugs the filters are interchangeable. Maybe you could check out the price of getting both 15's and 25's.

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm trying to be careful with my hearing - but 15 works for me. More than that and I really have trouble making out what I'm playing.

Even at 15, I lose some nuances of the music and can't tell if get a half-step off. I find that doing an occasional un-earplugged acoustic practice (me and the guitarist) helps me identify notes that I'm playing "close, but not quite right".

 

[project_c]

Well, I tried the 15's at rehearsal tonight and it felt like we were playing at living room volume (instead of the usual warzone volume), which was refreshing, so I think I'll stick with them for now, they worked well. I had to pay a lot more attention to what everyone else was playing than normal, and working out my levels and tone was virtually impossible without removing them, but apart from that they performed well. Turns out everyone in the band has some form of tinnitus, so I think they will also be getting these soon.

 

[olaff421]

I have some molded earplugs and love them. However I only have the 15dB's, and I think they cut the volume too much to play and rehearse. I love them for watching shows, but I've been meaning to get the 9's or whatever the next step down is.

 

[Blind Rat]

I have some 30db's and I think they are overboard a bit.

 

[Cinimod]

I use 25db and they are perfect!

 

[brothernewt]

I use the 15's also. It's been perfect for everything but the one most insanely loud band I played a couple gigs with. Any more would be too much for a reasonable stage volume/rehearsal.

 

[basskopf]

i had an ear specialist custom fit earplugs for me. she recommended -25db. it also depends on what kind of music you play. we play blues, loud. i want to protect my ears, i feel the bass line through the floor anyway. main benefit: can't hear anything my guitar players say (there are two of them) when the earplugs are in!!!

 

[Earthday]

Definitely depends on the type of music, volume level, and size of the room you play in. I play rock, blues, and hard rock in a very small practice space with a loud drummer and a guitarist that loves loud overdrive and distortion. I have only used -25db and can hear everything MUCH clearer with them, and the volume level is perfect. But I could see where someone playing jazz, or playing clubs that demand lower than all-out volume would think 25 is too much. I would also imagine that -15db would be more fitting for us if we played in a more open room or outside.

 

[Jazz Ad]

If you play rock ,25 dB are a must.

 

[cnltb]

I think mine are -25db.
That works very well for me.
It still allows me to speak with people but still keeps me save.

 

[wetzelman1]

i forget what mine are but I got em at guitar center and they have the itnerchangable filters. I actually don't even use either of the filters in mine and they protect ym ears just fine. And I'm in a tech metal band that plays LOUD. Bring them to every show I go to.

 

[elros]

The ones I use are custom fitted, and attenuate 15dB. They are very nice and adequate for my needs. I sit right next to the drummer (loud gospel drummer!) and hear all I need but it's never too loud.
I can imagine situations where 25dB is needed, but I've never experienced that.

 

[KJung]

Not sure if I'm posting this in the correct section, but I have a question for those who use moulded earplugs fitted with attenuators - I have recently got these and they're great, but I have a choice of 15db and 25db attenuators, and I currently just have the 15's. I'm wondering if 15db is enough to give you adequate protection at loud rehearsals and gigs, or whether 25db is the way to go. What is the general consensus on this? (if there is such a thing..)

15's all the way. The 25's will sound pretty much like cramming foam earplugs in your ears. 15 db is massive attenuation (remember, the db scale is a log scale), and you will still get a full range tone.

I use the 9db filters most of the time for loud gigs... just takes the edge of the cymbals, etc., but the tone still sounds good. My gigs are not super loud though, but for really loud gigs, the 15db should be plenty for all but 'stadium metal'.