Ear plugs suggestions

[Skub]

Not wishing to derail or sidetrack the existing thread skirting around the topic of ear protection,I thought I'd start afresh.

The thing is,I really need to use them,but I can't seem to hear myself properly when plugs are in. I'm adrift,I don't know if I'm too loud or not loud enough in the mix. All efforts so far haven't lasted past the first song before I pull them out.

I've tried a fair few generic earplug type,such as I use on my motorcycle,plus these jobbies,but I just can't get used to them.

Any suggestions,turning down won't be an option I'm afraid.

[LarsOS]

Ask your local philharmonic orchestra. Chances are they know somebody who can mold a pair to your ears, with "hifi" sound filters in them. It will cost you a bit more than ordinary plugs, of course. But it'll probably be worth it.

[Skub]

Originally Posted by LarsOS

Ask your local philharmonic orchestra. Chances are they know somebody who can mold a pair to your ears, with "hifi" sound filters in them.

I don't mind spending the money if it gets me a result,but I'm a shade reluctant to fork out when the outcome is uncertain. Is there a period of acclimatisation? Perhaps I haven't persevered long enough?

[LarsOS]

Plugs will alter the percieved frequency response no matter what. You can't stop the bass, it moves through your skin and bones. But if you need earplugs (and as far as I understand you do), I can't imagine anything better than what the classical musicians use.

I had a pair of molded ear plugs myself, and I used them a lot, both when listening to concerts and when playing. I never had a problem with that. But when I stood behind the mixing table, I couldn't use them. (Guess that figures.)

Unfortunately, the filters had a tendency to pop out when I pulled the plugs out of my ears (they were very snug), and I lost one. I didn't get new filters after that. I probably should have, though.

[Earguy]

If you've tried the generic musician's plugs and don't like them, time to get the real-deal, custom molded plugs with ER filters.

The generic ones don't fit as well, obviously, but the filter isn't as good either. I wore a pair to a rock concert, and every thump from the kick drum was heard as a harsh buzz. Not so with the custom molds and the ER-15 filters.

As an audiologist who both uses and fits custom musician's plugs, I would say that the ER-15 filter is a good starting point. The ER-7 usually doesn't attenuate enough, and the 25's are overkill unless you're in Motorhead.

[StratBluesRock]

I crank my silverface Twin to 10 sometimes and never use ear plugs...........

[logan2z]

+1 on Earguy's recommendation. I got fitted for a set of Westone Musician's earplugs at a local audiologist and it was $150 well spent. They fit perfectly and attenuate evenly across the board, so sound levels are reduced but sound quality is not. I use them whenever I jam with friends or go to loud concerts. I wore them to a recent Radiohead concert and experienced no ear fatigue at all.

[Tele Bee]

Yes, spend a couple hundred bucks to protect your ears. Its worth it. Tinitis sucks. I have the 25 strength referenced above, and they are perfect for a moderate to loud band practice. Comfort is also a factor here, as they are plugged in for three hours at a time. Also, not only can you hear the music, but you can still communicate with band members, unlike cheap earplugs. Go to an audiologist and they will set you up right.

[Earguy]

Originally Posted by Tele Bee

Yes, spend a couple hundred bucks to protect your ears. Its worth it. Tinitis sucks. I have the 25 strength referenced above, and they are perfect for a moderate to loud band practice. Comfort is also a factor here, as they are plugged in for three hours at a time. Also, not only can you hear the music, but you can still communicate with band members, unlike cheap earplugs. Go to an audiologist and they will set you up right.

Interesting that you prefer the 25's, but it does come down to personal preference. I'll never argue against more protection!

In the custom molded plugs, the filters can be swapped out easily. I have a few users who have different filters in the two plugs - for example, a 25 in the ear near the drums, a 15 on the side of their floor monitor.

Skub, you mentioned you can't hear yourself with the other plugs. Is this when you're singing? Singers need their plugs molded so they go deeper into the ear. Short plugs don't sound natural, and make you sound louder to yourself. (If you're having trouble hearing yourself while singing, do you ever plug one ear with your finger to help you find your pitch? Your finger is a short plug - it does let you hear yourself better, but you don't want that effect for the entire show.) If you order long ones and need them shorter, that's an easy in-office fix - with an exact knife and a dremel.

I understand Skub's fear of spending the money and ending up disappointed. Perhaps you can work out a deal with the audiologist that if you're dissatisfied, you can get a refund on the filters, so you won't be taking such a hit. The custom-molded part, of course, can't be refunded.

And yes, ear fatigue as Logan mentioned is something you hardly realize until you're using the plugs and you don't experience it. When I go to concerts I use my plugs with ER-15's and I enjoy the show SO much more!

[notdave]

These were reviewed in Guitarist mag a couple of months back.

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/g...-537261/review

They seemed to like them

[Skub]

Originally Posted by StratBluesRock

I crank my silverface Twin to 10 sometimes and never use ear plugs...........

You are 15. I played in bands from not much older than you until my mid 30s and I would have scoffed at the very idea of ear protection. Now that I am an old codger I understand how deeply unpleasant tinnitus is. It's no badge of honour young man.

Originally Posted by Earguy

Skub, you mentioned you can't hear yourself with the other plugs. Is this when you're singing?

No,the plugs are an asset when singing,it's my guitar that seems cut adrift in the mix when using ear plugs.

[Skub]

Originally Posted by notdave

These were reviewed in Guitarist mag a couple of months back.

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/g...-537261/review

They seemed to like them

Duly noted laddie,ta.

[Boubou]

Originally Posted by Skub

these jobbies,

wow $11 at amazon.com
$35.66 at amazon.ca

Sent from my iPad using TDPRI

[SpiderWeb]

I've purchased the "Quiet Ear" and "Silent Ear" ear protectors for various situations from Earplug Superstore. I have been pleased with my experiences with them. They also sells custom ear protection...

Silent Ear:
http://www.earplugstore.com/silnatrubear.html

Quiet Ear:
http://www.earplugstore.com/quietnrr14.html

Custom/Molded:
http://www.earplugstore.com/best-cus...1_CUSTOM_PLUGS

[telestratosonic]

Originally Posted by Skub

You are 15. I played in bands from not much older than you until my mid 30s and I would have scoffed at the very idea of ear protection. Now that I am an old codger I understand how deeply unpleasant tinnitus is. It's no badge of honour young man.



No,the plugs are an asset when singing,it's my guitar that seems cut adrift in the mix when using ear plugs.

Earguy is right, imo. About six years ago I got the custom molded musicians earplugs with the 15 decibel baffle. I was your age. Prior to that for about two years, I had been playing once a week in a bar. Regular earplugs didn't work for me but these did. Cost me $180 Canadian (same as US dollars right now)