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Noise reducing earplugs: protection from the volume war?

#21
I always wear earplugs at practice and at shows (performing or watching). I find that the Hearos "High Fidelity" lend themselves to a kind of bassy/boomy - though certainly not muddy - sound, which is to say they cut treble more than they cut bass. That said, they're probably the best bang for the buck at $14 a pair and still reasonably high fidelity.
 
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#22
I have very sensitive ears and have been using foam earplugs at concerts since forever. Since I got back into playing, I'd been using Etymotic ER-20XS, which are great but muffle vocals and guitars. Just within the last month, I sprung for custom molded musician earplugs (Westone DefendEar 49) for $200 and man are they worth it. Can hear super clear across the board, everything's just quieter. In fact, a few times I though they broke or something because it sounded so good, but when I took them out I realized how much volume they'd cut down.

Seriously, forget the next pedal, get yourself to an Audiologist!
 
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#23
yeah, I been using the custom mold ones for almost 20 years, and they save me from being like the other dudes in my band who have pretty bad hearing loss.
going up against 2 marshall stacks and a hard hitting drummer, I needed to get as much protection as possible. I have a local Audiologist who does the molds and fittings and testing.

I use Westone:
Westone Music - Hearing Protection
 
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#26
My major peeve. I have literally given brand new Earasers and others to bandmates and begged them to use them...never once has anyone even opened the package. "I can't hear every detail..." Total BS.Wrong... I hear everything just fine and I forget I have them in - I never even remember to remove them until the 4 hour gig is over. I play drums too, and IMO cymbals are the primary culprit. PLEASE use protection.
 
#27
I've started using Etymotic ER20XS earplugs with one group as I'm next to the drummer and have a Marshall stack pointed at me in addition to the double 4x10 stack the space provides for me. One day I was walking in while they were getting warmed up, and had physical pain from the noise level at the DOOR to the space, and that night I ordered the earplugs.

They're pretty great. It'd take some advanced engineering to get pure, flat attenuation at the ear, but these are way, way more open and clear than foam plugs while reducing volume at all frequencies, and now they travel with me to both rehearsals and nights out seeing other groups.
 
#28
Bassngtr said:
My major peeve. I have literally given brand new Earasers and others to bandmates and begged them to use them...never once has anyone even opened the package. "I can't hear every detail..." Total BS.Wrong... I hear everything just fine and I forget I have them in - I never even remember to remove them until the 4 hour gig is over. I play drums too, and IMO cymbals are the primary culprit. PLEASE use protection.
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People love to play loud. Loud noise triggers your body's fight or flight response and pumps your blood full of substances that make you feel excited and alert.

It's pretty common for people to crank up as soon as they turn their amp on and blow their ears out. If you think about it logically, a better approach is to try and prevent exposure to loud noises. If you can prevent your hearing from shifting, you will be able to hear better throughout the night. This is why I put my ear plugs in during setup.
 
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#29
I use Hearo's in a 19 piece jazz band that can reach rock band volume levels with acoustic instruments. Sure, the plugs affect the tone quality somewhat, but going deaf also affects the tone quality. No free lunch. I expect that musicians with hearing damage will have a harder time using earplugs, because the band is quieter but the tinnitus is just as loud. It's worth practicing with the plugs so you get used to their effect.
 
#30
I started using Invalid Link Removed earplugs four years ago. Not cheap: They're $300. But they are amazing, I don't have to take them out to have a conversation, they are comfortable enough that I forget I have them in. Biggest drawback is the #10 hearing aid batteries have to be changed every week.
 
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#31
Oh yes, as many have said, you'll hear the band more clearly with them in than without. I use erasers for lower volume gigs, and earpeace for blaring volume gigs. I've been using musicians ear plugs since I was 18, and I'm 41 now, the other day I thought I heard one of my studio monitors starting to crackle, but it was just the foam on my latte popping. Nerdy but true.
 
#32
After years of trying different things, I bit the bullet and ordered a pair of custom molds with elacin filters.
When I tried them out for the first time I instantly regretted not getting them earlier.
I know quite a few people (drummers mostly) that have and use them and not a single person has any regrets about owning a $150 pair of earplugs.
If mine were lost, I'd go and have a new pair made instantly.
 
#35
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#36
fretlessbass said:
I use Vaters, which my son, a drummer, recommended....I don't use them as often as I should, and I dislike it, but they do the job pretty well....unless the drummer is a basher, in which case the snare can still be painful.
I hope you'll take some action--sooner rather than later: I'm 64 and I've been wearing hearing aids since the age of 50--at which time I noticed that I could no longer understand conversations...it's sufficiently bad that even WITH the hearing aids it can be tough!
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I also use these. No issues. I've gone to some metal concerts with them in and notice no loss of clarity, and no issues at all while my band practices. It's been a while since I've used them since I now have a toddler and haven't been able to get loud for quite a while, but they get the job done and we're affordable. They also have a carry in case and two degrees of filter/reduction if you want that option.
 
#38
Bunk McNulty said:
I started using Invalid Link Removed earplugs four years ago. Not cheap: They're $300. But they are amazing, I don't have to take them out to have a conversation, they are comfortable enough that I forget I have them in. Biggest drawback is the #10 hearing aid batteries have to be changed every week.
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Every time I start GASin after these I read that they aren't really better than the ER20XS. I have no problem hearing conversations with them in - but my hearing is pretty good as I've used plugs since 1980. I often find myself wondering why my car is quieter than normal on the drive home - having forgotten to remove them. Secret for me is to put them in well before the downbeat (and don't remove them until the end of the show/rehearsal) so I adapt to them.
 
#39
I use Alpine musicians earplugs. They come with different inserts for different volume levels. Not sure if that is a gimmick or not, but they do make a difference. I bought some for my wife as well so that we can enjoy concerts in a much more comfortable way.
 

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