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Noise reducing earplugs: protection from the volume war?

#43
Never had earplugs I liked. The only experience I've seen of stopping the volume war are IEMs (in-ear monitors), but everyone has to be on board. Definitely an adjustment, but the pros far out way the cons.

Edit: Even if you're the only one moving to IEMs it's worth it. Personalized mix of all the other instruments.
 
#44
Crater said:
I'm on the verge of quitting the band I'm in. I play guitar in this band, I'm a second banana/sideman. We're all 50+ years old, and the band is definitely a 'hobby band' - so no money will be left on the table if I choose to leave. And my bandmates are super nice people, no problems there either.

But there IS a volume war. Guitarist #1 has a known, diagnosed hearing loss. Drummer plays LOUD. The 'singer' (we're supposedly a punk band) screams and yells in the mic, and the PA is set to be loud enough but just short of feeding back. I'm sick of having my ears rings for hours after practice, and I've been noticing the beginnings of tinnitus lately.

Anyone have experience using "Hearos" or another brand of noise-reducing earplugs? I'm anticipating a loss of clarity, especially the ability to hear my own playing clearly, but I think I can adapt since I'm primarily the rhythm guitarist.
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Order custom earplugs. In europe we have special shops that make the earplugs based on your own criteria. They will be on the expensive side (typically 150eur in eu) bjt you can literally make up your mind about which freqs exactly you want to cut down and by how much. They will also perfectly sit in your ear since they will shape the earplug just for you.
 
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#46
Yes I use heros.as soon as the drummer picks up sticks they go in.

I've found they will actually help you hear the guitar, where it takes away all the "noise" of the band and let's the freqs of the guitar through, in a focused manner. I can actually hear it better than the bass.

I have pretty severe tinnitus in my left ear and it sucks. Protect what you have in hearing.

The few times I've forgot my hearing protection, the high volume of the drums wear me out physically due to the loudness. When wearing the earplugs, I have energy at the end of the night.weird as it sounds it the truth.
 
#47
Another vote for the fitted ear plugs with filters, I bought mine when I was about 21 and still use them lots at 38... besides playing I find I wear them at most concerts and things sound clearer with them, I'll even throw them in for long highway drives with the windows down... I've been quite careful with my hearing because my Grandpa had terrible hearing and I also worked in aircraft maintanence. the only real piss off is that I've had tinnitus in my left ear over two years now since a failed root canal, a sinus perforation and a hell of an infection screwed it up...
 
#49
I use ACS custom molds with replaceable inserts. Mine cut about 12dB, which is more or less perfect for the type of band I play in. No loss of clarity at all. If you don't get customs, get something else, but don't go without. Once your hearing goes, it's not coming back.
 
#52
It ain't punk to incur hearing loss.
Primary band is a very LOUD post-HC/punk/alternative trio.
25W and at times 50W tube amp of guitarist, heavy hitting drums, and I.
Totally hear what you're saying...because I "plug-n-play."
Bag of foam hearing protection at box store is about $5 for a bag of about 150 plugs.
Cuts the dangerous frequencies, yes it also cuts some of the low end clarity and some vocals, but hey I'm worth it.
Gigs and rehersals, in the gig bag always.
Use it or lose it.
Good luck.
 
#56
pglaser01 said:
Has anyone ever taken suggestions of ear plug makers (such as all these listed) and tested them out to see if they all filter the same frequency ranges, the same amount?

Would that even be possible?
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Not that I know of, and in most cases the design is pretty similar in the same price range.
 
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#58
To me, it's kind of like everything else in the world of new "gear".

Nit sure what to get? Get SOMETHING. Then come back and tell us what you do and don't like about what you got. Based on that information, we can collectively narrow down what would make you happier.

But, especially in this case, get something sooner rather than later.
 

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