Quality Ear Plugs

[FunkyE9th]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good pair of ear plugs? Are the custom fitted ones that you can get from audiologist actually worth it? Do you really hear "everything" as well, but just attenuated? I don't mind spending the extra bucks if it actually works well.

Thanks,

-Ferdie

[paulster]

I'm all for the custom ones. I've tried all sorts of universal ones and the sound from them has generally been pretty poor, with perhaps the exception of the Etymotic ETY ER-20 and Alpine MusicSafe Pro earplugs which aren't bad.

Since I already had a set of UltimateEars custom IEMs I figured I'd try going the custom route for earplugs as well, and I'm glad I did.

I got the MicroSonic ones from UltimateEars since they already had my impressions on file, and they use the Etymotic ER-15 attenuator inserts (15dB), which are about the industry standard. I can swap out the attenuators for 9dB or 25dB ones too if I need to.

They are particularly good for when you're in the crowd at a gig and have the PA mains to contend with, especially if you're off to one side of the stage where the bass bins tend to live. With the reduced SPL you find you can actually hear the music better.

I'd say to try either the Etymotic ETY ER-20 or Alpine MusicSafe Pro earplugs first if you haven't already to get an idea of what the attenuation will be like and to have an idea of how it'll affect frequency response. Neither of these is as flat as the customs but you'll at least have an idea of whether you think it would be worthwhile investing further.

[FunkyE9th]

I believe I have ER-20s right now. Don't know the brand though. Got it may years ago. It seems to get rid of a lot of the highs. On the scale of 1 to 10, assuming 10 for the customs plugs, how would you rate the ER-20s or Music Safe Pro?

[paulster]

I'd put them at about a 7 or so. I think the MusicSafe Pro ones were the better of the two from what I remember, so I'd rate the two between 6.5 and 7.5 depending on the choice. I'd put the customs at around 8.5 to 9.

They're not perfect, don't get me wrong, but they are good. And they're comfortable too, which was a big plus point.

[Jana]

Fear lugs? What? oh, ear plugs, never used them (really should have!).

[Bob-I]

I use Westone with 9Db attenuation at most places, louder places I use the 15Db inserts. One of the nice features is that the Shure SCL-2 in-ear monitors fit right in place of the inserts. The Shures are not that great as in-ears go, but they came with the PSM200 system.

As for hearing things, I still feel that there's some loss of dynamics with the ear plugs but since I'm using them I hardly have any tinitus anymore.

The in-ear system IMHO is the way to go. With a good quality earbud you hear everything better. I take a seperate monitor out from the board and mix according to what I need to hear, usually a tad more guitar than in the FOH and a tad more of my vocal mike. I sing better, play better and can actually hear the TV when I get home from the gig.

[billyz]

I have a couple of friends who swear by the Sensaphonic custom made earplugs.
http://www.sensaphonics.com/prod_erseries_customs.html
They say the sound is very natural.

I am just using the free set of Etymotic ER 20 I got at Namm . They do attenuate the highs more than I like. But , They get me thru the night.

[solderstain]

I have a couple of friends who swear by the Sensaphonic custom made earplugs.
http://www.sensaphonics.com/prod_erseries_customs.html
They say the sound is very natural.

Count me in that camp - I have Sensaphonics and can't believe I didn't try some when I first heard about them. I have both 9db and 15db inserts. My local doctor did a great job of making the molds of my ears and these things are VERY comfortable. WELL worth the money.

[Baxtercat]

Earplugs? I have mucho experience [and a lot of tinnitus anyway].
I had 2 or 3 dif. versions of custom-molded ones made about 15 years ago, but have used squishy foam ones ever since. The harder plastic custom ones 'break' their seal in your ear canal as you move during the gig, especially if you sing, and the resulting large differences in volume made them unusable to me.

Of course, you have to get used to the loss of treble with foam plugs [I did, I had too]. Another good thing is foam attenuates more volume [high 20 dBs?] which is nice. I can turn up the gtr more!

[Winder]

These work well. A pair lasts quite a long time and the fit is better, IMO, than the foam plugs. Any of them take some getting used to.

http://www.earplugsonline.com/

[Andy Le Blanc]

what..... huh..... too loud!!!?

[selloutrr]

I have used a custom molded pair for the last 8 years and can't say enough about how comfortable they are for extended periods of use. very easy to install and always feel just right!!! Being that my ears are my $$$ protectiong them is top priority. I can't say i've experienced clearity with just a lower volume during relugar use ( the lows are a bit muddy) but if i relax my jaw and almost open my mouth it's clear, but not a natural position to maintain. I can say though once you learn to listen in them you can mix with them in. The next best feature is that the attenuation is done threw little filters so I you can choose what I need. I have a set of -10db -15db -25db and -40db. after using the molds I can't go back to normal plugs. I lost one once and freaked out come to find out after i called they kept my molds on file made me a replacement and had it at my door in less then 10 days!

I had the molds made at NAMM threw H.E.A.R. for under $200

[Andy Le Blanc]

I worked in the fisheries for a while, engines and running water. I'm surprised
I can still hear. Now I have to ration exposure. Even a hand drill sets the
tinitus off. I don't like wearing plugs when playing out, but dont stand very
close to the drums. Turn down when other get loud. Its better to be aware and use protection before you
suffer hearing loss. Use with ANY power tool, small engine, gig if can find a
usable product.

[Baxtercat]

Winder, thx for that link to the blue ones. I just ordered some.

[marketleader]

I've been wearing custom molded plugs for about 17 years, used foam plugs prior. In my experience all plugs cut highs to some degree relative to how much attenuation they provide, but the custom plugs provide a flatter response than any of the foam plugs I've tried. I have custom Etymotics with changable filters offering different levels of attenuation. I think Westone offers something similar. I got a free hearing test and a discount on the plugs through HEAR at winter NAMM in Anaheim, but that was 17 years ago. HEAR is still around and promoting hearing awareness so you might want to check'em out, here's there web site:

http://www.hearnet.com/

Custom plugs are one of the best musical investments I ever made. These days I wear Ultimate Ears custom IEM's.