Earplugtings

[MrLenny1]

Use whatever you can. Be very serious about this.
Tell your bandmates to turn the F^&* down.
25 years of excessive noise has ruined my ears.
Now wearing hearing aides at $3400.00, yes $3400
That's the price of a Fodera!

 

[wcriley]

The upside to custom molded earplugs (in addition to varying levels of attenuation and flatter frequency response) is the comfort. I forget mine are in...unless I accidentally have them in the wrong ears.

The only downside is the cost. But it's a small investment when averaged over the many additional years your ears will function properly.

 

[Bassamatic]

The custom ones are surely best, but the Hearos (I got them at Sam Ash) work quite well, they are not uncomfortable and the frequency response seems pretty good.

Another advantage to wearing earplugs is that you can hear your own singing better - like putting your finger in your ear.

The only downside to wearing earplug in general is that I find myself shouting at my bandmates during rehearsals!

 

[DWBass]

I have a set of those Alpines from your first link and I also have a set of Hearos that I bought from Musicians Friend. I like the Hearos a little better. Both decent and bring the volume down a few decibels. While they do allow some sound in, the highs can get slightly muffled, so you lose that clarity. I'd like to spring for a professional grade set but they can get pretty expensive. These cheaper solutions do work though.

 

[wcriley]

...The only downside to wearing earplug in general is that I find myself shouting at my bandmates during rehearsals!

I find myself doing the same thing in quiet environments.
But in loud environments I find converstaion easier with the plugs in.

Temper everything I write on this subject with the knowledge that I have a narrow/deep hole in my hearing around 4K followed by a substantial rolloff from 8K...the result of being 60 years old with 40+ years of loud bands, construction sites and military service.

 

[Demon_Hunter]

Yeah it's pretty amazing. I hate wearing ear plugs but I hate my ears ringing even more.

Hopefully, you won't be like a lot of us where the ringing never stops. Tinnitus sucks!!!

 

[WayneP]

I've used Etymotic Research ER-20 plugs for about two years. Like them alot, getting custom molded soon.

I’d like to get some of these. I understand they come in “Standard” (blue tip) and “Large” (white tip) sizes, but what’s with the different colored stems (red, clear, purple)? Does that matter?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Tobias Club
Aministrator, Pedulla Club #45
Big Cabs Club #23
Tobias Club

 

[winegamd]

I went to either a CVS or a Walgreens and they had a whole section of hearing protection, almost as many choices as condoms. Most of them also had frequency response and attenuation specs on them. They even have water proof ones for after the gig when things get slippery.

 

[ourworldisgrey]

I use the Hearos High Fidelity plugs (which according to everything I've read online are rebranded ER-20s). Really close to flat response to my ears for way less than custom molds. They don't have huge attenuation though, so for really loud shows you might still prefer the foam plugs.

 

[JimmyM]

I hate earplugs. If I played in bands where I had to wear them, I'd quit playing. Fortunately pretty much ever band I've been in cared about their hearing.

 

[Hellbastard]

I hate earplugs. If I played in bands where I had to wear them, I'd quit playing. Fortunately pretty much ever band I've been in cared about their hearing.

I'd love to be in your position, where I have large spaces to rehearse and every member of the band takes care of their level.

 

[SAlcott]

"(no way on earth I am getting £/$200 custom made)"

Etymotic Research ER15 for 20+years; maybe your ears aren't worth it-mine are.

 

[steveksux]

I hate earplugs. If I played in bands where I had to wear them, I'd quit playing. Fortunately pretty much ever band I've been in cared about their hearing.

I went with IEM's instead, been lucky over the years regarding bands not playing too loud. Just had my hearing checked, its basically normal for my age!

But got in one band with horns, loud drummer, in a bar with no carpet, hard walls, wow... Tried earplugs, didn't like them (ER-20's). They drop the highs a little, enough to make it hard to pick out pitch on the bass with everything else going on.

Finally went with IEM's, never looking back. I get a great sound, at a volume that would be nearly impossible to get to live. When I pop them out between sets, the crowd noise sounds loud to me... no more waking up with ears ringing. Vocals are much easier as well,

You are lucky, more than most, playing some top notch gigs with real pro's, larger rooms with more space.

I decided not to take the chance anymore. I can't always depend on others to do the right thing, don't have the opportunities in today's market, bar gigs becoming fewer and farther between, a working band is not simple to find anymore. I can eliminate the damage when I'm stuck with people/acoustics that get too loud now.

But I was thinking like you, I was going to quit before I made myself deaf. If the IEM thing hadn't worked, I was ready to hang it up, not worth your hearing.

Randy