I've always just used cheap foam earplugs, which are obviously woefully inadequate.
Does anyone have recommendations for ear plugs that are specifically made for concerts? I need something that won't blast my eardrums, but won't muffle the sounds.
I did a quick Google, and came up with Earpeace and Zounds. Are they any good? Do you have any specific recommendations?
Thanks!
Regards,
Duncan
I have a few different ones, but I've not tried either of the ones you listed. (They do look interesting, and I might try one or both.)
I use https://www.hearos.com, https://www.earasers.net, https://www.daddario.com/products/ac...dbuds-premium/, and https://bigbangdist.com/product/ahea...lded-earplugs/
I've also forgotten to bring ear protection and bought some emergency foam plugs as well.
Out of the ones I've used I prefer the Hearos and the Ahead ones I molded. My wife recently ordered some Loop plugs, but hasn't tested them out at a concert yet.
When I use machinery (lawn mowers, snow blower, leaf blower, etc.) I use over the ear protection, but I've never tried it at a concert.
I'm always on the lookout for a better solution. I'm interested to hear about what others are using.
Pat
I have the Zound ones and they're good. Pretty cheap and you can still hear the dynamics of the music pretty well. Also they're pretty discreet which can be nice since people can get self-conscious about that sort of thing (I used to be, at least).
amusingly once you buy them you get on a mailing list that sends you emails every few days with special offers, new colors, sales, etc. - not sure who wants to buy new earplugs on a regular basis, but apparently Zound thinks I'm gonna flip over the prospect of getting blue ones. the point is make sure you look up discount codes before you buy, this appears to be one of those things you can always get at way less than "retail"
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I got Westone custom ones from an audiologist decades ago. I have to replace the filters every so often.
Do live converts like live perverts?
I use Eargasm plugs and like them a lot. I was certainly glad I had them at the Godspeed! You Black Emperor show last night. https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Music...1zcF9hdGY&th=1Originally Posted by Duncan Glenday
Hi Duncan
I’ve used earplugs for at least 25 years.
I don’t like to spend too much because sometimes I lose them
So, i like these two
https://www.earpeace.com/products/music-earplugs
https://www.etymotic.com/product/ety...lity-earplugs/
Hope you find this useful
Steve F.
www.waysidemusic.com
www.cuneiformrecords.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"the masses have spoken, and this has appropriately vanished into the great Prog boner pile in the sky."
“Remember, if it doesn't say "Cuneiform," it's not prog!” - THE Jed Levin
"Death to false 'support the scene' prog!"
please add 'imo' wherever you like, to avoid offending those easily offended.
If it's so loud that I need to wear earplugs to protect my hearing then it's TOO loud and I won't go (or leave).
I don't pay for a concert ticket to get a low-fi truncated sound (hi-freq. loss/unbalance which is what you'll get wit ALL earplugs) and the uncomfort of wearing earplugs.
In Europe we have very stringent legal norms regarding max. allowable SPL for electrically amplified music, not allways respected (especially in open air) but there are inspectors in charge to measure and control the sound level (and fines if exceeding the norms !).
I got customs made via an ENT specialist who worked with Etymotic to make the final product.
I have musicians earplugs which I highly recommend. They aren't cheap though. Mine cost over 200 dollars. The thing is the little black thing fell out of one and got lost and with the other one it looks like I'll have to tape it on. Still, I recommend looking into them. I don't go to concerts much anymore so regular earplugs are ok for me ( I no longer get seats too close to the stage anyway). I have mentioned on here in the past that I have tinnitis (is not us) in my left ear.
Do not suffer through the game of chance that plays....always doors to lock away your dreams (To Be Over)
I use LOOP and find them to provide pretty good fidelity. The loop extension helps hold them in my ears. I have fit issues with certain types of ear buds/plugs.
I can never judge ahead of time how loud a show is going to be. Sometimes shows that I think would be quieter end up being really loud and sometimes bands I think will be really loud are not. To my knowledge there are no restrictions on volume here in the U.S. with the possible exception of some outdoor venues. I would never leave a show that I paid for just because of volume. I never wore ear plugs when I was younger, but always take them with me today. I will decide whether to wear them or not at the show depending on how loud it is.
I have semi custom ear plugs from www.earplugstore.com. I made the impressions from their kit and they return the completed set after a week or so.
My current set is my second pair from them, lost one plug at a festival. Having the interchangeable filters is nice, they are expensive, but the option to switch protection levels based on the show is a positive to me.
I usually use the 15db for most shows, I used 25db for Sunn O))). The 9db might be good for some settings, but I don't need that. Also got the solid plugs, which I might use for Sunn O))) if I see them again.
I have worn these for multiple day festivals, hours at a time with relative comfort. I have not had the same level of comfort from any other non soft foam plugs.
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-- Aristotle
Nostalgia, you know, ain't what it used to be. Furthermore, they tells me, it never was.
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I use ProActive Customized Professional by Elacin: https://www.elacin.com/
Not cheap but does the job well, although I hate to use them....
You can replace the filters.
I have some 30 years old umbrellashaped things.
They are better than the Zounds I was lead to buy. And now I get almost daily emails from Zound that, for reasons I dont get, wants me to buy more.
MANY thanks to those who answered.
I've given Santa a few alternatives - let's see what he delivers!
(My family does a "secret Santa" thing at Christmas, coordinated via an online system.)
Regards,
Duncan
A great idea for a thread. Protecting hearing is everything.
When I am dragged to a bar show by a pal to hear a genre I am not big on (metal or thrash) I use anything, including foam plugs (33db) that I use for doing yardwork around machines. When I go to a show I am into I always take plugs that are aimed at musicians, but generally don’t go for a zoot-deluxe set.
But y’all have already presented lots of great brand names, so I am only piling on to say, “great thread!”
I tried Earpeace plugs at a concert last night. It was a pretty loud show - Plini and Animals as Leaders. I have to say I was impressed. Felt like I could hear the music clearly with reduced volume. I put in my molded plugs at one point to compare, and I do think i preferred the Earpeace plugs. I even put them back in in-between songs.
They did start to get a little uncomfortable after a few hours, but every plug I've used does. Really glad I tried them out. I'm going to compare to the Zound plugs at the next show. (The Pineapple Thief in a week.)
I'll be interested to hear the comparison!
It might be interesting to take both - Zounds and Earpeace - and switch them out between songs, for a comparison.
Regards,
Duncan
That's my game plan! I'm just a little concerned that the Zounds (-19 dB) might not filter out enough decibel-wise, so I figure the Earpeace (-24 dB) will be safe option.
Earpeace for me.
I have destroyed my ears in my youth. I recently wore hearing aids for a while and was shocked at what I am missing listening to music. I'll wear them again after I retire. Maybe.
I usually forget my earplugs at home and end up going to the restroom to get a paper towel and tear off little pieces to stuff in my ears. Often I will think the show isn't that loud, but then 15 minutes later my one previously injured ear starts to let me know it's too loud.
<sig out of order>
I'm the same. In the military (artillery), then in a band playing too loud. My ears didn't stand a chance.
I've worn hearing aids for 10 years. I keep my hair just long enough to cover them up - so no one can see that I'm wearing them. (Yes, I'm vain)
Regards,
Duncan
I was lucky...while in college I joined my first band. The departing keyboardist was clearly great pals with everyone so I asked him why he was leaving and he told me he'd already gone deaf in one ear despite being in his early 20's. I went out and got earplugs within a week, first foam ones but ultimately custom plugs. Worn them ever since.
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Good work! (And I wondered when you first started; thanks for the history)
Since no one has said the obvious, back in the day it was worse: higher average volume levels at concerts. When we would come home from shows in NYC and NJ in the 70s we would generally have the ringing in the ears for the rest of the evening. I so remember getting into bed and realizing the ears were buzzing. That naturally takes its toll. Fortunately mine are fairly good still and even across L and R.
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