Concert Earplugs

lukemil33 · March 2018

Not sure if this is the right place for this but figure I'll ask anyway. I go to a lot of concerts (20+ a year) and about 2 years ago I started wearing earplugs after I started having slight tinnitus in my right ear. I've bought the same generic brand you can get at a hardware store and they've been great. 28db reduction and pretty comfortable. Even though they've worked for me, I've been looking for an upgrade this year. Been considering Decibullz or Isolate Pros. What earplugs do you use for concerts? I'd love any input!

on2legs · March 2018

I just use generic earplugs. I find I can hear the music better with the earplugs in than with them out. After a few years of using them I can’t imagine not using them.

verceman · March 2018

Eargasm High Fidelity. http://a.co/6TlYZ4q

After I too much loud music in college gave me tinnitus I started wearing those cheap foam earplugs you can get for free or by the dozen at drugstores. They are great at muffling the volume and preventing post concert ear ringing, and are cheap to replace, but I found myself pulling them out during encores so I could at least for a few songs hear what the band really sounded like.

A couple years ago I invested in Etymotic "high fidelity" earplugs, and it was much better. I could actually hear the music. However, I noticed myself critiquing the soundboard mixer for having a screwed up mix - having the drums too loud or two quiet or whatever. Recently I realized that if I pulled out the earplugs during the last song of the concert that my earplugs were actually the problem. All the instruments were muted, but some were muted more than others.

Finally, I tried these Eargasm High Fidelity. Good god, what a difference. The sound is crystal clear, but without the intense volume. I have now used them for two concerts, and have been blown away by how great they work.

Zod · March 2018

on2legs said:

I just use generic earplugs. I find I can hear the music better with the earplugs in than with them out. After a few years of using them I can’t imagine not using them.

I use generic ones too (red foamies). Have been for 20 years (after developing tinnitus at age 19 at a soundgarden show). I tried the cheap "audio" ones you can buy at a drugstore for $20 (similar to the ones PJ gave out on the last tour). They agitate my ears, and don't block enough sound. I find foamies work pretty good. I don't find they muffle anything, they simply cut decibels across the board. Before I started using them, I could never really hear what the singer was saying a at concert. Now it cuts out the distortion (Which was killing my ears) and I can hear everything great.

That being said, I can't say that verceman's post about Eargasm' plugs doesn't intrigue me.

myoung321 · March 2018

I bought a new pair of Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS recently before I shot Anthrax from the pit.. Didn't want ringing ears for days afterwards. They work great!!...

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Mve4CQjQL.jpg

Image: https://photos.smugmug.com/RecentMusic/Anthrax-2018/i-4XZjjmx/1/9018a620/M/IMG_0574-M.jpg

crookedcross · March 2018

I have always used SureFire Sonic Defenders for the gun range. One day, at a concert I saw people wearing plugs, didn't know what it was about so the next concert I went to, I decided to bring mine and give it a try. I saw Jane's Addiction at a very small venue and Dinosaur Jr. opened for them. The stage and the rail had no gap so my face was right in front of J. Mascis' amps and I heard everything clear and very clean. I don't know if you know him, but if anyone can demolish ears at a show, it is that guy. I only wear them if I am really close and surprisingly, I find the sound quality better when wearing my plugs that when I am not. I, like you, also go to a lot of concerts on top of spending a good amount of time on the gun range so I have to protect my ears and these plugs have done a great job. Plus, they are on the cheaper side.

Bonus: It has little inner plugs you can flip open and close for when things get stupid loud

deanna7080 · March 2018

Hey thanks for posting this! My husband will be looking for something when we go to Wrigley. He’s always used generic foamies.

hihobibo · March 2018

About 15 years ago I bought some of the shooting range rubber ones from Walmart to use for concerts and when playing drums in bands. They have worked great for years, Don't muffle the sound, just take out the loudness of everything. I'm about to replace them finally with the eagasm ones. Too much wax buildup.

ZeldaZonk · April 2018

crookedcross said:

I have always used SureFire Sonic Defenders for the gun range. One day, at a concert I saw people wearing plugs, didn't know what it was about so the next concert I went to, I decided to bring mine and give it a try. I saw Jane's Addiction at a very small venue and Dinosaur Jr. opened for them. The stage and the rail had no gap so my face was right in front of J. Mascis' amps and I heard everything clear and very clean. I don't know if you know him, but if anyone can demolish ears at a show, it is that guy. I only wear them if I am really close and surprisingly, I find the sound quality better when wearing my plugs that when I am not. I, like you, also go to a lot of concerts on top of spending a good amount of time on the gun range so I have to protect my ears and these plugs have done a great job. Plus, they are on the cheaper side.

Bonus: It has little inner plugs you can flip open and close for when things get stupid loud

I use the same ones as well. I'd recommend them.

given2fly23 · April 2018

I don't know how people go to concerts without earplugs.

This is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-ETY-Plugs-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard/dp/B0015WJQ7A/

jtgreen · April 2018

I'll second Eargasm High Fidelity. I've worn them to about a dozen shows and never have an issue hearing the whole band, the singers never sound muffled when they're talking, I can hear people talking to me fine, and I never have to deal with tinnitus.

I've used them in small 500 person venues, outdoors, and in big arenas. Everywhere from along the barricade to against the back wall. Never go to a show without them now.

JOEJOEJOE · April 2018

I use eargasm, and they seem to let-in more sound than other brands, however, I am not sure if they afford the same protection as other brands such as Dubs.

lolobugg · April 2018

Earasers are amazing. the choice of a lot of musicians that want to hear everything but just turn down the volume a little.

tdawe · April 2018

If anyone is interested in the Earasers: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/earasers-earplugs

ceska · April 2018

I've been using Alpine for the past few years, been very happy with them.

https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/musicsafe-classic/

Now I'm also curious to try some of the other models mentioned here too.

Miss.Snowdrop · April 2018

Where do you guys buy your earplugs? I have had a look on amazon but a lot of the brands you guys mentioned don't seem to be available, or maybe just no in Europe.

ceska · April 2018

Yup, Amazon. Can you get these over there?
https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Hearing-Protection-MusicSafe-Musicians/dp/B0032BYCWG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523148723&sr=8-1&keywords=alpine+hearing

Etymotic is also good.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=rr_xsim_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445292964&sr=0&th=1

Miss.Snowdrop · April 2018

ceska said:

Yup, Amazon. Can you get these over there?
https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Hearing-Protection-MusicSafe-Musicians/dp/B0032BYCWG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523148723&sr=8-1&keywords=alpine+hearing

Etymotic is also good.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=rr_xsim_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445292964&sr=0&th=1

I just had a look on the website of my local music store and they have the Alpine ones. I might pop in next week and check them out.
But thanks for researching that for me :-)

benjs · April 2018

I've had tinnitus since the Pearl Jam shows in May of 2010. I used the Etymotics for a long time, but about five years ago, had musician's plugs made for around $250 CDN (which means it's probably available for less in the States). Couldn't recommend it more to anyone. For the price of 2-3 shows, you will make every single one of them you'll ever see that much more enjoyable.

Go Beavers · April 2018

benjs said:

I've had tinnitus since the Pearl Jam shows in May of 2010. I used the Etymotics for a long time, but about five years ago, had musician's plugs made for around $250 CDN (which means it's probably available for less in the States). Couldn't recommend it more to anyone. For the price of 2-3 shows, you will make every single one of them you'll ever see that much more enjoyable.

I had the custom ones made where they make a mold of your ear canal. I think they were about $170 US. They work great. The only negative is that sometimes I think I've lost them after getting home after a few beers and I get a little panicked. Turns out I put them somewhere I thought was a good idea at the time.

benjs · April 2018

Go Beavers said:

benjs said:

I've had tinnitus since the Pearl Jam shows in May of 2010. I used the Etymotics for a long time, but about five years ago, had musician's plugs made for around $250 CDN (which means it's probably available for less in the States). Couldn't recommend it more to anyone. For the price of 2-3 shows, you will make every single one of them you'll ever see that much more enjoyable.

I had the custom ones made where they make a mold of your ear canal. I think they were about $170 US. They work great. The only negative is that sometimes I think I've lost them after getting home after a few beers and I get a little panicked. Turns out I put them somewhere I thought was a good idea at the time.

Exact same here (the whole way through)! I have my "senior's package" which includes a little change purse with a bunch of Tylenols and my earplugs.

Concert Earplugs

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