For those that use earplugs at shows

possomists

I recently bought a pair called DUBS for $30. I know its a bit expensive but theyre made for concerts. They drown out all background noisse and really amplify just the music. Fantastic brand new company. check it out.

SVRDhand13

One year later after bookmarking this thread and I still haven't bought a pair!!!

PJ_Soul

I keep trying to use them , but I actually feel really disconnected from the concert when i wear them so always take them out. Someone mentioned that they like blocking out the crowd noise... I actually find that to be a very unsettling effect of earplugs and the main reason I hate using them. I just don't feel as much a part of the whole experience without hearing the crowd. I am worried about hearing damage, but when I'm in the moment I seem to HAVE to do what makes the show most enjoyable, which means no earplugs. It's quite the struggle, lol.

Get_Right

MUST HAVE
Especially for the smaller rooms.
I use these:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product

cheap, effective and more comfortable than foam
plus they have a cord so I can hang them around my neck if I want to take them out for quiet songs

deadendp

Bought some of these. They filter out the high stuff, but make it so that you can listen to the music and hear everything you want to hear. I keep them in my purse. (I have the lil black container.) They work great!

on2legs

I find I can hear the music and lyrics better with ear plugs.

samjam

Had a little scare with my right ear right before I left for Europe to see PJ last year. By then, I'd be wearing earplugs at shows that were incredibly loud, but not every show. Since, I've worn them at every single show I've attended (and I attend a ton)...definitely don't want to do any damage. It's a good habit to form. Now I can't imagine a show without them, it's like second nature to reach for my earplugs when the lights go down.

PJ_Soul

So..... if everyone needs to wear earplugs to prevent themselves from being harmed and disabled, why don't they stop being so insanely loud? It kind of seems like a public health risk, no?

hsohi

iamloco724 said:

I've had issues in the past so I want to start wearing at shows, what brands are good nothing too expensive right now and want to keep the sound sounding as good as it can

Sorry I can't help as I do not wear them.

red mos

I went to a music shop and bought a pair of earplugs for like 20 bucks( like 10 yrs ago). They aren't the spiral shaped ones- as those work, but hurt my ears after awhile- they don't fit right. I had a great pair that I lost at Chris Robinson the other night- had to go with the foam ones from the venue. I really hope guitar center has earplugs like I had.

PJ_Soul

The cheap foam things are huge. They stick way out of my ears and almost fall out while they seems to stay put for everyone else i see using them (yes I'm using them properly). Apparently I have unusually small ear canals. So now I simply wear my good Samsung earbuds as earplugs (until I can't take how disconnected I feel anymore and take them out).

Suziemay

Still wearing earplugs to every show (the blue Etymotic ones) except I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't need them at Radio City for Hozier and Grace Potter. They somehow got the sound PERFECT. I may have used them for War on Drugs because I was really close to the front, but I didn't need to. Amazing.

Don't do foam plugs as your default for shows, those block out way too much.

cutz

What are the BEST earplugs if you have tinnitus ?

High Fidelity 2000

I use "Hearos" Music earplugs which are about $15. They supposedly let more of the instruments come into your ears and muffle the dangerous frequencies. You can definitely hear better than just the foam kind for sleeping etc sold at drugstores, but it's still not the same as no earplugs. I wore them to Foo Fighters a couple weeks ago... those guys have their mix way too loud. PJ is usually good about volume level at most venues, I skip the earplugs for a lot of PJ shows.

dottles

I use Blox earplugs, they are great. I bought them at Pukkelpop festival, and they've been great!

jjflash

samjam said:

I can't imagine a show without them, it's like second nature to reach for my earplugs when the lights go down.

Same here! Losing my hearing is one of biggest fears after having an insanely loud car stereo system back in high school. For many a moons now when going to a show I never leave home w/o a pair of plugs. The secret stash pocket on blue jeans always makes a great place to store them.

Suziemay said:

Don't do foam plugs as your default for shows, those block out way too much.

Dang! I've been missing out...sounds like I need to invest in a better pair of plugs. Foam have been my default plugs for years cause they're cheap (like sunglasses they always seem to disappear).

Suziemay

jjflash said:

Suziemay said:

Don't do foam plugs as your default for shows, those block out way too much.

Dang! I've been missing out...sounds like I need to invest in a better pair of plugs. Foam have been my default plugs for years cause they're cheap (like sunglasses they always seem to disappear).

I use these, they don't really break the bank: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=rr_xsim_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445292964&sr=0

From what I recall, I think the blue tips are actually small but they fit my ears. If you're gonna buy some, read some of the reviews to figure out sizes and stuff.

I was making a general statement with the foam earplugs, I didn't enjoy shows wearing them and was getting bummed out because I couldn't not have ear protection so I looked into other options and found these! Been super happy, I have a pair in my purse at all times. You know, in case of an emergency show

But if the foam stuff works for you, maybe no need to fix what ain't broke? I do firmly believe in ear protection, though. No way that anyone who goes to a lot of shows won't suffer hearing loss without them.

courtmcc

Ear plugs!?! Y'all are getting old!! Just kidding.

I'm 23, been to over 100 different shows, play guitar and already have tinnitus. I usually don't wear ear plugs even though my doctor yells at me to, I just bring some cheapy ones with me just in case it gets loud. I haven't had a show in awhile that made my ears feel weirs/hurt for awhile.

FrankieG

I brought them to the Cornell solo show this weekend but didn't use them as it was acoustic. I have been very good this year otherwise, I think I wear them at about 75% of the shows I attend now.

PJ_Soul

courtmcc said:

Ear plugs!?! Y'all are getting old!! Just kidding.

I'm 23, been to over 100 different shows, play guitar and already have tinnitus. I usually don't wear ear plugs even though my doctor yells at me to, I just bring some cheapy ones with me just in case it gets loud. I haven't had a show in awhile that made my ears feel weirs/hurt for awhile.

If you already have tinnitus at your age, you are still almost certainly going to lose a lot of your hearing when you're older, sorry to say. But chin up. By the time that happens the advancements in hearing renewal or aids will probably have you pretty well covered. Hopefully. I'm counting on that myself, though I still don't have tinnitus at nearly 40, probably because I actually went to few concerts when I was younger and was never one to blast my headphones or anything. But as I do my catching up as far as concerts go, I'm probably making up for lost time as far as hearing damage goes, and I'm not proud of it. I'm going to keep trying to wear earplugs... and probably going to keep taking them out because they are ruining the show for me.

samjam

Went to a show yesterday, and granted it wasn't so loud, but just good practice to wear my earplugs. Realized I didn't have them (got last minute tickets), so used my iPod earbuds as makeshift earplugs. Yay for ear protection!

foodboy

ever since r.e.m show in 1985 i swear by ear plugs. never leave home without them for a show. as you get older you will realize it is a must if you want to retain good hearing. say what?

SVRDhand13

SVRDhand13 said:

Thanks for making this thread OP and thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to have to go the earplug route after seeing many shows and at the age of 28 I'm starting to get worried about a rumbling in my right ear. It started during PJ's set at ACL 2 and while its gone down, its not completely better.

Damn a year and a half later and its back and getting worse. Time for earplugs and time to turn down my radio.

LeafsJaysCubsRaptorsFan

What's the difference between research and the high fidelity ear plugs? Beside the price,

keeponrisin

Ed told my fiancee in Tulsa in 2014 how loud he thought it was in GA, then he poured me some wine.

given2fly23

Been to 550 shows in every type of venue, no tinnitus because I learned my lesson at my 2nd show (Soundgarden at the Aragon) and never attneded a show without earlpugs again.

I use the etymotics. Makes the music and speaking in between much clearer and if I lose them it's not an investment to get another pair.

Lemon Yellow Sun

Thanks for all the great info. I'm going to try the Etymotic Research plugs.

SVRDhand13

given2fly23 said:

Been to 550 shows in every type of venue, no tinnitus because I learned my lesson at my 2nd show (Soundgarden at the Aragon) and never attneded a show without earlpugs again.

I use the etymotics. Makes the music and speaking in between much clearer and if I lose them it's not an investment to get another pair.

@given2fly23

can you please copy a link to the exact pair you use?

I definitely need these for the upcoming tour.

I knew this was coming. I go to a lot of shows and I BLAST music in my car. I'd like to stop any more damage. Right now its not bad and manageable, but I can see it getting a whole lot worse if I don't worry about it now.

JOEJOEJOE

http://www.getdubs.com/

They gave these away to Coachella ticket purchasers last year.....work pretty well.

CapnBob

Thanks for the tips... just ordered my wife and I a pair of the etymotics for the tour this year.