Off Topic Ear Plugs For Under The Money?

[HEWLIO]

I just got back from jazz band and im really sick of my ears physically hurting after the drummer kills my ears. After all i gotta stand right next to him. So,
1) What are some good musicians earplugs i can get for around $10-40?
2) Does guitar center carry them with a good selection?
3) What do you use if any?
They gotta be the kind that just cut the decibels and that don't muffle everything.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I have ones that I had specially molded and are supposed to reduce the overall sound without muffling just the highs. I've had them for a long time and use them all the time. They cost around $135 (Cdn) at the time and they are likely more now. It's a small investment when you consider the potential consequences of not using any hearing protection at all.

You should be able to get these types of earplugs at any local audiologist. They'll know what you're talking about when you ask for musicians earplugs.

 

[Russel]

I know your pain, man!

I found some really uncomfortable ones at a local music store that were labeled "impact reducers." they made a real difference.... before I lost them. They had a nasty sound and a terrible high midrange push, but they did what they said, and they did it damned well.


if the drummer in our ensemble gets a little crazy, I just use those regular old -36 db foam ones, which I buy in the 34 piece canisters. I know most of the tunes, and I can still hear the hat, snare and kick easily enough to keep time. Makes it easier actually! no rushing trombones...

 

[koogie2k]

I use the foam ones. I get them by the case and use them at all my practices. I can hear everything, but, don't walk out with my ears bleeding. You could always do what Smallmouth said if you want to spend the $$$.

 

[ggunn]

I have ones that I had specially molded and are supposed to reduce the overall sound without muffling just the highs. I've had them for a long time and use them all the time. They cost around $135 (Cdn) at the time and they are likely more now. It's a small investment when you consider the potential consequences of not using any hearing protection at all.

You should be able to get these types of earplugs at any local audiologist. They'll know what you're talking about when you ask for musicians earplugs.

I have a set of E.A.R. custom molded -12dB plugs, and they are fantastic. They are acoustically flat and very comfortable. I use them on stage and every time I go into a loud club. One thing about earplugs, though; put them in BEFORE you get into a loud sound field. If you wait until threshold shift has already started, then things will sound muffled when you put the plugs in no matter how flat they are.

 

[pepperman]

Etymotics are also good for the money.

 

[fidooda]

Etymotics are also good for the money.

a big +1 for etymotics, love mine. use them all the time

 

[RobW]

+356254 for the Etymotics.

Best $12 I ever spent, perhaps. I can't recommend them enough.

Seriously, I have tinnitus, been around way too much loud music over the years, etc. so I've become active in taking care of my ears. The Etymotics work so great that I take them anywhere I go when I'm playing or seeing a band/show, or even just a loud bar. I have a LOT of trouble hearing people when they're trying to talk (yell) to me at bars, etc. I say "what?" a lot....and the Etys actually make it easier for me to converse with someone in that environment.

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER?20 High Fidelity Earplugs

Spend the extra $2 and get a cord too, so you can just wear them around your neck when they're not in your ears:

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER?20 High Fidelity Earplugs

 

[Gordon of Eden]

I have found the Hearos Hi-Fi earplugs for about $15.00 To be the best I have used to date in the price range.
I wear them to concerts now as well.
You can always find them at GC amd most other music stores as well.
I plan to invest in some custom made ones this year but I'll aways keep these on hand as a backup.

 

[strummer]

E.A.R. Etymotic, Hearo, there are a lot of them out there and the ones made to cut more or less linear work fine. But as ggunn said, but them in BEFORE being exposed to loud music, or adjusting to them takes longer.

 

[TNT]

Same as Koog said above!! They work perfectly and they are disposable.

E`A`R (brand) Classic

You can buy them by the case - 200 pairs

 

[Sonnyonbass]

To make this a little more EB related......

Which earplugs makes your SR5 (or bongo, or Sterling) sound best?

 

[five7]

I was a soundman for 25 years and have tried every type of plug and muff. I have ones that were fitted to my ears. All in all the cheap foam ones are the best. They reduce the volume as much as the fitted ones. They cut the highs more than the lows which helps to keep the drums from hurting so much. They are the most comfortable when you are using them day after day. I will use 1 to 3 sets in a long day. Remember you can only deaden the sound so much. If it is loud enough to vibrate your body you will hear it with any type of plug. One time I was mixing monitors for the Melvins at the Ogden Theatre in Denver and I was going nuts because they are a very loud band. The bass player uses 4 svt rigs and the guitar player uses 3 100 watt half stacks and a svt. So of course they need all of the monitors wide open. The bass player hits an open A and everything is vibrating and I am thinking of murder if I can't get some relief. I put foam plugs in and then shooting ear muffs over them. That would only knock down so much. Every bone in my body was vibrating so much that it was still way f'ing loud. The foam plugs cut the most and are the most comfortable. Give them a try before you spend alot of money on fitted ones. Excuse the rambling.

 

[Russel]

compared to what y'all are going through, jazz ain't that loud.

when I forget the foam ones, I go to the bathroom and get some paper towels, twist a piece up and stuff them in. They deaden the sound enough so it doesn't hurt.

 

[HEWLIO]

compared to what y'all are going through, jazz ain't that loud.

when I forget the foam ones, I go to the bathroom and get some paper towels, twist a piece up and stuff them in. They deaden the sound enough so it doesn't hurt.

Ya jazz isnt loud but you havent heard my jazz band

 

[HEWLIO]

i think im ganna order a pair of the Etymotics. im sure anything is better than nothing.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I use the regular foam ones when going out to see a band or concert. They work well too but cut more highs.

 

[ggunn]

FWIW, when I got my E.A.R. custom molded plugs, I never went back to the foam ones, especially on stage. The extra high freq attenuation of the foam plugs left me feeling disconnected from the rest of the band. YMMV, of course.