Just got earplugs.

[maddog]

Quick Question: Where can you order/get the custom earplugs?

Your local audiologist. Try the ol' yellow pages.

[Mobay45]

Your local audiologist. Try the ol' yellow pages.

That's where I got mine. But I went to Westone's website. There's a place on there that will help you find a local audiologist that handles their product.

I made an appointment to go in one day to have the molds made and got them two weeks later.

[Bill]

My ears are still ringing from my Cajun band gig on Wednesday night. Tonight I'm playing with my rock/variety band. I've got to get some of these plugs!

[Mobay45]

My first trial for them will be tonight. I'll let you know tomorrow how it went.

[adouglas]

Which model did you get? Westone makes a bunch of different plugs.

[Mobay45]

Which model did you get? Westone makes a bunch of different plugs.

I got the custom molded musicians earplugs with the -15db filter.

[kakobass]

Well, I got plenty of experience in the subject.

-I also went to the custom fit ($150, ER-25 filters) at HearX (a sort of medical franchise). (They have offices everywhere - Adn I also got my exam there.

-Custom fitted plugs come with a maximum of 25db cut, which in my case proved to be too little attenuation. There was still too much high-end coming through. I guess these work for quieter enviroments.

-I tossed them and now use regular foam plugs (cut 33db) and are really comfortable. These:

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gatewa...61^SEARCH.y=13

-I do not recommend the over-the-counter ER-20s. They do the job, but they are stiff rubber and plastic, which will make your ears hurt after a while. These:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

...and they have a protuding hard end that sticks out of your ear. You have to be careful not to push the plugs inside your ear by accident.


BUT, be aware that even the best plugs cut only a maximum of 33dbs or so. A loud club or stage, a crash cymbal, or a feedback could reach 110+ dbs.

The problem is the amount of time that we get exposed. Even with plugs, you will still be prone to tinnitus and losing hearing, because the long hours and repeated exposure. Not all plugs will cut the specified db cut every single time you use them - sometimes you might have not sealed the ear canal properly, letting through some sound pressure.

I speculate that with foam plugs, you are getting at least an 80 db exposure during gigs. Do that for say, 16 hours a week, and you get ther picture.

"Resistance [to hearing damage] is futile!"

I have been using plugs for the last 5 years, but I play at least 100 shows a year. My tinnitus is still getting worst.

Note:

Tinnitus: constant ringing in the ears - which might not mean hearing loss, but usually you will get both tinnitus and hearing loss together, gradually.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

[Mobay45]

Note:

Tinnitus: constant ringing in the ears - which might not mean hearing loss, but usually you will get both tinnitus and hearing loss together, gradually.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

I've had tinnitus since I was a teenager and I didn't start playing bass until I was 25. Mine was probably caused by chronic sinusitis though.

[tkarter]

Any ear plugs are better than none. IMHO

Some are better than others and it is possible to play good music while wearing them.

It all boils down to what you want to hear.



tk

[Urwordsbreakmed]

These are custom molded to fit your ears so there is absolutely no sound that gets past them that isn't cut 15db. I've tried the generic plugs several times. I just can't stand them.

i think i saw something about this yesterday.... they like put the foam crap in your ears it harden for the mold and pow ... is that what you have?

[Mobay45]

i think i saw something about this yesterday.... they like put the foam crap in your ears it harden for the mold and pow ... is that what you have?

That's it! They put crap in my ears then sent it to the manufacturer to have the earplugs made.

I just got home. I didn't wear them very long tonight. I started the first set with them in and took them out after about 3 songs and did the same in the second set. They are going to take some getting used to. They cut the highs more than I thought they would. I will try to wear them again tonight at the gig.

[shamus63]

So far, I've been using the wax plugs with no real complaints.

They mold to your ear canal, are comfortable, and filter out pretty much all the highs.

The only downside is that you've pretty much corked your bottle, and the low-to-mid resonance can feel a little trippy.

[oddjob]

Takes a bit of getting used to Larry. Took me about 3 shows, to where I could wear them an entire evening - but now it is hard to play without them. Hope they work out for you.

[ilene]

Researchers are now seeing a wide increase in noise-induced hearing loss. People, especially young kids are now loosing the ability to hear higher frequencies, evidenced at times by mild ear-ringing or trouble following conversations in noisy situations. This is occurring because of the wide and all-day use of portable music players, cell phones and amplified music. Please tell y
(Ilene, webmaster at http://www.firsthearingaid.com)

[tkarter]

Researchers are now seeing a wide increase in noise-induced hearing loss. People, especially young kids are now loosing the ability to hear higher frequencies, evidenced at times by mild ear-ringing or trouble following conversations in noisy situations. This is occurring because of the wide and all-day use of portable music players, cell phones and amplified music. Please tell y
(Ilene, webmaster at http://www.firsthearingaid.com)

Welcome to the forums and you are so right. What doesn't happen is kids won't learn well anyone won't learn from someone saying you can make music while wearing hearing protection. The real question should be if we all have good hearing why do we play so loud? I am old and the answer to that no longer matters to me. I have been there done the damage and all of that. I like to play I wear ear protection. The kind you get at kmart, those roll up foam plugs do just fine for me.

This is like the health warnings on cigarrettes.

IMHO

tk