Are Foam Earplugs the Best Plugs for Concerts?

[Fifth Business]

@John Mahan go outside

 

[Bill Bauer]

@John Mahan go outside

Go brush your teeth, and/or take a shower.

 

[Gabriel]

I think you stated good points.
Everyone experience is different. We should ask the original poster what's her experience.

We know that ear foam reduce sound of about 32dB (it's a number I see a lot).

Now instead of arguing if it's stupid or not, let's ask @Suzerman what level sound have you experienced without tinnitus?

40dB is a quiet office.
50dB a normal conversation.
60-70dB is a loud conversation /classroom or bar.
80dB noisy street.
90dB grasscutter (don't know the word).
100-110 dB concerts.

Let's say she is at the back, where it's 90-100dB, with earplugs she is virtually at 60-70dB - loud conversation.

If she can handle it now, she will handle the concert.

If not, she should not go?

As simple as that.

 

[Greg Clarke]

Maybe you can share with us what you believe about tinnitus. Why it comes about since you believe concert going will not increase it.

Ok let's back the truck up. The op has somatic Tinnitus. I believe in their specific case risk of worsening their condition through acoustic trauma is minimal providing they go to the show with protection. Their choice at the end of the day and only they can decide whether the risk is worth taking or not.


Hyperacusis and Sound Sensitivity are totally different and under no circumstances would I advocate an individual suffering in those cases attend a concert. In fact I can never recall an instance where someone with Hyperacusis asked if they thought it was wise to hit a show etc. You're moving the goalposts here.

What do I believe? What I've being saying all along, that an individual like the OP or someone like myself who has Tinnitus as a result of acoustic trauma won't worsen their condition by continuing to play or attend concerts so long as they use hearing protection. Do I know for sure, of course not ! But I've 13 years under my belt with it and know many others in the same situation. I said it earlier the industry is riddled with it yet people soldier on. It's not easy, I remember the first show I hit post onset of Tinnitus I was shitting it, couldn't relax, completely paranoid that it would worsen but it was ok and it's been ok ever since in terms of not worsening. I believe the damage is not cumulative as long as you protect.

Tinnitus takes the color out of life to a large degree, it's bad enough listening to it in the dead of night without giving up the thing you love doing the most, it disheartens me to see new sufferers or younger members being discouraged or told where Music is involved there's no hope or point. I've seen people discouraged from hitting the cinema on these boards. Completely mental.

100db Sound exposure is not ok. I never said that. It only gets to that sort of level nearer the stage anyway. A typical metal show runs about 90-97db halfway back in a medium sized venue, so whether you're wearing 17db or 30db plugs you're good in my opinion.

 

[Flamingo1]

I definitely don't want to seem disrespectful or anything of everyone's experiences here. I'm trying to have common sense about it.

I'm sorry but common sense is not staying at a concert until sounds levels hit 120 Decibels!!??!! Anything over 85 Decibel's (unfiltered) and I'm out of there, with our without ear plugs! Ear plugs will realistically only cut the sound by 15 to 20 dB depending on how well they are inserted. The NRR of ear plugs is always more than the actual amount of noise they cut out.

If my dbmeter shows 100 dB I don't see a reason to not just stay and enjoy myself, wearing the quality hearing protection I've purchased. However if it shows 120 dB I'll be sensible enough to walk out, despite me loving this band very much.

 

[Suzerman]

I'm sorry but common sense is not staying at a concert until sounds levels hit 120 Decibels!!??!! Anything over 85 Decibel's (unfiltered) and I'm out of there, with our without ear plugs! Ear plugs will realistically only cut the sound by 15 to 20 dB depending on how well they are inserted. The NRR of ear plugs is always more than the actual amount of noise they cut out.

I was just naming an example. If it's consistently over 100 dB I'll probably walk out. And I don't just have earplugs I'll also bring ear muffs with me that I'll wear over them. I should be able to at least filter out 30 dB with that. Therefore if a concert is 100 dB, my protection will probably bring it down to at least 80 dB which should technically be more than fine for me.

 

[John Mahan]

Ok let's back the truck up. The op has somatic Tinnitus. I believe in their specific case risk of worsening their condition through acoustic trauma is minimal providing they go to the show with protection. Their choice at the end of the day and only they can decide whether the risk is worth taking or not.


Hyperacusis and Sound Sensitivity are totally different and under no circumstances would I advocate an individual suffering in those cases attend a concert. In fact I can never recall an instance where someone with Hyperacusis asked if they thought it was wise to hit a show etc. You're moving the goalposts here.

What do I believe? What I've being saying all along, that an individual like the OP or someone like myself who has Tinnitus as a result of acoustic trauma won't worsen their condition by continuing to play or attend concerts so long as they use hearing protection. Do I know for sure, of course not ! But I've 13 years under my belt with it and know many others in the same situation. I said it earlier the industry is riddled with it yet people soldier on. It's not easy, I remember the first show I hit post onset of Tinnitus I was shitting it, couldn't relax, completely paranoid that it would worsen but it was ok and it's been ok ever since in terms of not worsening. I believe the damage is not cumulative as long as you protect.

Tinnitus takes the color out of life to a large degree, it's bad enough listening to it in the dead of night without giving up the thing you love doing the most, it disheartens me to see new sufferers or younger members being discouraged or told where Music is involved there's no hope or point. I've seen people discouraged from hitting the cinema on these boards. Completely mental.

100db Sound exposure is not ok. I never said that. It only gets to that sort of level nearer the stage anyway. A typical metal show runs about 90-97db halfway back in a medium sized venue, so whether you're wearing 17db or 30db plugs you're good in my opinion.

A good post and sorry for the vitriol. You clarified your position. You don't lump all tinnitus suffers in. Your previous posts seemed generic and not specific to the OP.

I could quibble a bit about what you write even narrowing your 'type' of tinnitus person that is OK to attend concerts.

You wrote:
The op has somatic Tinnitus. I believe in their specific case risk of worsening their condition through acoustic trauma is minimal providing they go to the show with protection. Their choice at the end of the day and only they can decide whether the risk is worth taking or not.

Here's the problem. You just don't know. There maybe a bell curve of susceptible somatic tinnitus sufferers you don't know about. Fellow scientist here with math/statistics background like you. You are merely gaging from you and those you know with tinnitus. That is your sample. Some have a combination of different types of tinnitus. Then you go on to write 'minimal' probability. Honestly even a low probability for somebody with tinnitus isn't good odds. Pretty easy to conclude a much lower probability if you don't attend. And I know, this for a guy like you is the end of the world. Not going to concerts which mean very little to me after I have been to so many. To others, yes, it maybe a bigger deal. Like the OP for example who wants to take this chance.

The point is...you showed a fair amount of emotion in your comments of those that pushed back on what you wrote.

The fact is, both positions are relevant. The argument goes both ways. You are proof positive that all that go to concerts with tinnitus don't go straight to hell. And my pushback is....and some will go and regret it because they aren't you. Their tinnitus is different.

I listen to music everyday. Even with my increased sound sensitivity which makes it pretty ill advised for a guy like me to attend concerts or loud music venues. I tried hearing protection at loud venues. I would be better advised to likely have custom made ear blockers if I were a huge concert goer. I don't feel the need and have other interests at this point in my life.

Further my tastes in music have evolved. I grew up around classical music but I was and still am a pretty huge classic rock guy. I love all genres of music including a little rap.

Now I will present to you the best young soprano in the world so your tastes can be further refined, and listening to such an artist...a young lady with 1 in one billion talent, will not be as stressful to your ears.

 

[linearb]

will end up regretting it, possibly for the rest of their lives. Classic definition of Russian Roulette.

I don't think people generally regret Russian Roulette for very long Besides; it's a bad comparison. That's just a 1/6 chance of kaboom; damage from concerts isn't random, it depends on noise and exposure and these are things you can quantify and measure, easily and cheaply.

If you don't personally want to bother, or don't think the benefit outweighs some possible risk, that's fine, but that point can probably be made without hyperbolic metaphors.

I don't care if I pissed you off. Could care less. Your intellect is in play if you are engaging me. I am rather proud of my intellect and have the academic credentials to prove it..

Yikes. Normally I find myself quite in agreement with you; this paragraph makes me cringe.

If @Greg Clarke actually made some sweeping claim that concerts in general are safe, or fine for everyone, I've been unable to find it scanning back through posts. If such a statement was made, I'd disagree with it strongly.

Surely, by the same logic, implying that concerts are in general unsafe and definitely not fine for anybody with tinnitus, is just as myopic?

You wrote:
The op has somatic Tinnitus. I believe in their specific case risk of worsening their condition through acoustic trauma is minimal providing they go to the show with protection. Their choice at the end of the day and only they can decide whether the risk is worth taking or not.

Here's the problem. You just don't know.

No, and neither do you, but I think "their choice and only they can decide whether the risk is worth taking or not" is pretty clear, no? He expressed an opinion you disagree with, clearly caveated that it was an opinion that carried risk for OP, and it seems to me like he's being crucified for it.

 

[Flamingo1]

I was just naming an example. If it's consistently over 100 dB I'll probably walk out. And I don't just have earplugs I'll also bring ear muffs with me that I'll wear over them. I should be able to at least filter out 30 dB with that. Therefore if a concert is 100 dB, my protection will probably bring it down to at least 80 dB which should technically be more than fine for me.

Don't forget to take ear breaks as well Continuous high levels of noise (80 dB and up) are also not good for the ears.

 

[John Mahan]

I don't think people generally regret Russian Roulette for very long Besides; it's a bad comparison. That's just a 1/6 chance of kaboom; damage from concerts isn't random, it depends on noise and exposure and these are things you can quantify and measure, easily and cheaply.

If you don't personally want to bother, or don't think the benefit outweighs some possible risk, that's fine, but that point can probably be made without hyperbolic metaphors.


Yikes. Normally I find myself quite in agreement with you; this paragraph makes me cringe.

If @Greg Clarke actually made some sweeping claim that concerts in general are safe, or fine for everyone, I've been unable to find it scanning back through posts. If such a statement was made, I'd disagree with it strongly.

Surely, by the same logic, implying that concerts are in general unsafe and definitely not fine for anybody with tinnitus, is just as myopic?

My opinion is, he is being simplistic in his typing of tinnitus regarding who is safe to attend concerts. For example, he mentioned ok for Somatic sufferers. That is a broad brush. Guess what?...and you likely know this. Its more complicated than that. People can have mixed tinnitus pathologies. For example per Greg's definition because I have Somatic tinnitus...which I do on some level...I can modulate my tinnitus with head movement, I should be able to go. But then he goes on to say, if you have hyperacusis which I also have, he says I shouldn't go.

Do people really understand the scope of their tinnitus? Some maybe. Probably most don't.

But if you are asking, yes I am the don't go to concerts camp if you have tinnitus aka a hearing abnormality because it could get worse. The probability is as unquantifiable as all the people here that didn't have tinnitus before going to a concert that had tinnitus after they did.

Btw, regarding my tinnitus. When I was Greg's age, I didn't have tinnitus.

 

[John Mahan]

Don't forget to take ear breaks as well Continuous high levels of noise (80 dB and up) are also not good for the ears.

Exactly right. My audiologist in fact told me, this is as important as sound level itself. I was surprised by that. She said not taking breaks even at lower sound levels can be injurious. I re-asked her because I honestly didn't believe it.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Let's say she is at the back, where it's 90-100dB, with earplugs she is virtually at 60-70dB - loud conversation.

If she can handle it now, she will handle the concert.

How do you explain the many cases reported here where someone wore earplugs to a concert and ended up with a permanent spike?

 

[Greg Clarke]

You just don't know.

None of us do, but that statement applies for everything in life.

And I know, this for a guy like you is the end of the world

This is it, not attending or playing is the end of the world for me. You know, I didn't take that initial decision lightly, I was out of action for a year. Absolutely miserable and went through exactly what most have gone through here including wanting to kill myself, that's not captured in any of my recent posts.

You are merely gaging from you and those you know with tinnitus

Ok lets take that as a fair enough point, but I'm at least taking my sample from people who actually have the experience we're talking about here. Most people on the forum are advising not to go, but that's born out of their own fears or handling of their own situation. I have to apply balance, If 9 of you are saying "Don't go, it can worsen" I have to stick my hand up and say I do it all the time, and it can be done with sensible precautions. It's not quite as black and white as you're making it out, I know it reads like I'm saying "Anyone with Somatic" Tinnitus is grand. I'm talking about this particular instance and basing it on the information the OP has given, e.g. the use of 30db foam plugs. Add up all the variables and do a risk assessment on it. There is risk in everything we do.

don't feel the need and have other interests at this point in my life.

And that's the difference. I got this curse when I was 26, that's a long road to travel without the thing that means the most to you (Aside from family obviously) in this world. Maybe if I were older when it manifested, going to shows or performing may have meant less to me. You have to take that into account , the OP seems like a young person, it's almost unreasonable to suggest they stay away from loud environments for the rest of their life.

 

[John Mahan]

None of us do, but that statement applies for everything in life.




This is it, not attending or playing is the end of the world for me. You know, I didn't take that initial decision lightly, I was out of action for a year. Absolutely miserable and went through exactly what most have gone through here including wanting to kill myself, that's not captured in any of my recent posts.



Ok lets take that as a fair enough point, but I'm at least taking my sample from people who actually have the experience we're talking about here. Most people on the forum are advising not to go, but that's born out of their own fears or handling of their own situation. I have to apply balance, If 9 of you are saying "Don't go, it can worsen" I have to stick my hand up and say I do it all the time, and it can be done with sensible precautions. It's not quite as black and white as you're making it out, I know it reads like I'm saying "Anyone with Somatic" Tinnitus is grand. I'm talking about this particular instance and basing it on the information the OP has given, e.g. the use of 30db foam plugs. Add up all the variables and do a risk assessment on it. There is risk in everything we do.




And that's the difference. I got this curse when I was 26, that's a long road to travel without the thing that means the most to you (Aside from family obviously) in this world. Maybe if I were older when it manifested, going to shows or performing may have meant less to me. You have to take that into account , the OP seems like a young person, it's almost unreasonable to suggest they stay away from loud environments for the rest of their life.

Again, my backlash to you was your intolerance of the other camp which includes me and I would say the majority on attending a concert with tinnitus. You are the outlier which btw is OK. Point is, both views should be adequately represented without demonization. That is why I doubled down. I am in the majority on this. That is not to say I am absolutely correct. In your case, I am not for example. You do fine at a concert with tinnitus. I don't with my particular type of tinnitus or hearing deficit.

Your point about avoidance behavior can be easily addressed. The problem with taking the chance is...it can have permanent consequences and the consequence can be dire...a permanent spike. People come on here all the time with this occurrence after going to a concert.

So it isn't like jumping off the dock into the water not knowing how deep it is. It isn't like running a marathon with a dodgy knee. Most will recover from such an endeavor. Hearing as we have all learned here is a bit more precarious or can be...and long lasting.

Btw, your personal book isn't finished. You or I don't know what you are doing to your hearing by your choices longer term. I mentioned I didn't get tinnitus compared to you until 'much' later in life. I am a lot older than you.

Something about human nature I learned a long time ago. I was always incredulous as to why given a set a data, people would draw such different conclusions. As you know, scientists don't agree on things all the time either in spite of the rigor of our training where we are taught to analyze data via the scientific manner with statistical reliability.

I think its important you register your experience and the experience of your peers. Yes, many musicians have tinnitus and continue to play. Some have stopped playing, paralyzed with spikes and fear their overall life will get worse. A concert is an escape. A high if you will and why so many love them. But we live our lives each minute of each day.

For me, the stuff I can no longer do, or do as comfortably which detracts from my joy of doing them, I have found other things I derive as much pleasure in.

You and I for example are likely wired much differently in spite of our similar training. I believe life is a journey of discovery. I don't have to be wed to a given activity. In fact, if I notice that about myself, I believe it is a limitation I really don't want. There is way too much in life to experience. Giving up something and plugging in another in fact is a positive. I want to experience all of life. Not be stuck in some repetitive do loop of focus which speaks to a self imposed personal limitation. That isn't experiencing all of life....rather only a fraction of it by self imposed thinking.

To me for example...things like going to concerts or even riding motorcycles and I like riding motorcycles more than concerts and I love music isn't that big of deal. I love my life and am so grateful for it.

 

[Fifth Business]

. I said it earlier the industry is riddled with it

For shame! Speaking to the experience of what is likely that of the disproportionate majority of tinnitus sufferers (approx 1/6th of the general population) who developed this condition through routine + sustained noise exposure is so far removed from the realm of acceptable discourse here that I'll be posting my 1000 word essay countering this VERY soon as it makes me VERY upset!! I'm 65 btw.

 

[Lane]

@Suzerman -- Though I question whether or not it's a good idea for you to attend this concert, I want you to know I respect your decision. I've actually come to believe that sometimes, when confronting circumstances in our lives which lead to certain restrictions, it would be good to "test the waters" to try to accurately discern just how much limitation there actually is.

I've done this with some of my own health limitations, despite the restrictions that have come my way. It appears you're being very diligent in how you're approaching your ear protection. And though there are no guarantees, I would anticipate you'll be able to navigate this without any problem. In the end, I think every person has to do what they think is best to maintain their own sense of self-empowerment, or as I put it, keep their "Warrior Spirit" intact.

As you know, scientists don't agree on things all the time either in spite of the rigor of our training where we are taught to analyze data via the scientific manner with statistical reliability.

@John Mahan @Greg Clarke -- Thanks for the civil discussion guys, and the polite disagreements! -- To offer something you actually might be in agreement on: You'll probably both disagree with my own belief that analyzing data in the scientific manner as you mention is often only a fairly narrow way of looking at things, which can lead to only a fraction of an overall picture.

For example, out of necessity, I've done extensive health research for many years, and am often confounded by the way conventional doctors and health professionals view things with such narrow viewpoints. And yet, they firmly believe their perspectives are based on the science and statistical reliability it offers. What they don't often explain is why--if modern medicine is based on such a reliability--do 100.000+ people die every year from taking prescription drugs as prescribed.

Or why are thousands of people are permanantly very serioulsy injured--often for life--because they've been prescribed extremely dangerous fluorquinolone antibiotics, when safer alternatives were available? They assume they're following the science, but their common sense can't seem to override the fact that their actions are cripping people, and dramatically upending their lives in so many ways. Same can be said for any number of other medications, or various kinds of surgeries.

In my mind, it's not that science has betrayed the medical profession. Instead, the medical profession--ostensibly relying on science--has actually betrayed true science. And a primary reason for that is because they're unable to distinguish or understand the infallability of their own interpetation of what they have come to believe science is telling them. They also don't seem to understand the huge financial and/or political forces that are so often in play with so much of scientific research today.

In fact, if I notice that about myself, I believe it is a limitation I really don't want. There is way too much in life to experience. Giving up something and plugging in another in fact is a positive. I want to experience all of life. Not be stuck in some repetitive do loop of focus which speaks to a self imposed personal limitation. That isn't experiencing all of life....rather only a fraction of it by self imposed thinking.

I love that, and couldn't agree with you more!

 

[Bill Bauer]

that statement applies for everything in life.

Very few things in life have the potential in resulting in life long suffering. This is the reason this is different.

not attending or playing is the end of the world for me.

For some of us, life long debilitating tinnitus would be the end of the world.

Most people on the forum are advising not to go, but that's born out of their own fears or handling of their own situation.

No, it is due to multiple posts where people report their experiences of doing what you advise and regretting it.

"Don't go, it can worsen" I have to stick my hand up and say I do it all the time, and it can be done with sensible precautions. It's not quite as black and white as you're making it out

"it CAN worsen" doesn't mean "it WILL worsen". We are saying that there is a something like a 10% chance that it will worsen. We think that tinnitus is so horrible that nothing that lasts a couple of hours can be so good as to warrant a risk like that.

 

[Earing]

I was just naming an example. If it's consistently over 100 dB I'll probably walk out. And I don't just have earplugs I'll also bring ear muffs with me that I'll wear over them. I should be able to at least filter out 30 dB with that. Therefore if a concert is 100 dB, my protection will probably bring it down to at least 80 dB which should technically be more than fine for me.

Absolutely not. The very very most you can filter with 2 sets of plugs is 17dB. The formula is:

Take your best plugs (muffs most likely) at NRR 31dB rating. They don't reduce 31dB. You take 31-7 divided by 2 = 12. The amount of reduction is 12dB. The second set say they are foam at 32dB. You can only reduce a further 5 dB with the second set. So that's 12 + 5 = 17dB reduction. There are some muffs on the net that claim 37dB reduction, but I bought a set and they are not better than the 3M Peltor X5A muffs at NRR 31dB.

I am a musician and I have been using 20 dB musician's plugs thinking I was getting a 20dB reduction, but in fact it is only 6.5dB reduction. I have been compiling a list today of the different musician's plugs and have found most are hiding their NRR ratings and claiming higher ratings, or stating a NSR (UK rating 6 dB higher number than NRR) or just flat out lying about their claims. Here is my list so far:

Earpiece NRR 19 / 14 / 11
https://www.amazon.com/EarPeace-Con...EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-4&th=1

Vibes (shark tank) 15 NRR
https://www.amazon.com/Vibes-High-F...ords=EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-7

Eargasm NRR 16 (says it's 21 though) liars
https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Musi...EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-9&th=1

Eardial NRR 11
https://www.amazon.com/EarDial-HiFi...rds=EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-10

Earasers Earplugs NRR 5 (Says 19 peak) NRR 16 (says -31dB peak)

LiveMus!c HearSafe Earplugs NRR 29dB NRR 23dB
https://www.amazon.com/HearSafe-Ear...87I8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

EarPeace NRR 11 / 13 / 20
https://www.earpeace.com/products/earplugs?variant=43678845124

EarDefense no NRR rating they say 27dB and 23dB, so at best 21dB and 16dB

The LiveMus!c HearSafe Earplugs have the highest ratings so far (if it is true) at NRR 29dB = 11dB reduction.

Also remember the bass frequencies do not get stopped by earplugs or earmuffs.

 

[John Mahan]

Thanks for your comments Lane. With the exception of specialists who do things like knee replacements, to me many doctors are basically lost trying to figure out how to cure somebody. Fixing people is just dam hard....complexity pretty overwhelming. Just getting an accurate diagnosis.

And then Lane there is alternative medicine. My niece is a homeopathic doctor. She is brilliant and very much embraces her role outside 'traditional' medicine. Where is the truth? Hard to say. Room for both. Many come to her when they can't get fixed with traditional medicine. Sometimes she can't fix them either.

 

[Sash]

I saw an Audiologist last week about my Tinnitus. Her message was don't let Tinnitus run your life but just be sensible

Remember 10% of the worldwide population have some form of Tinnitus and the only ones that having difficulty coping with Tinnitus are on this forum which are active maybe a few thousand worldwide. Out of those minority would have suffered further permanent spikes from concerts, alarms etc. Some people can deal with permanent spikes better than others. My audiologist also said to stay away from forums like this one

I am in the go camp but just like others have said you just have to be extra careful and take the necessary precautions. I would be interested to know how the OP got on. One thing to be aware sometimes spikes to not happen straight away sometimes a week later.

 

[Sam98]

I am actually going this coming Tuesday! I have to say that I'm quite nervous, but I'm super prepared. I bought foam plugs that have been rated as the best and are known to filter out about 35 dB. Im also bringing my decibelmeter to check the sound levels, and I have bought peltor muffs that I'll bring just in case. It also wasn't an expensive concert, so I am able to walk out if all of that doesn't work and it's still too loud for me. It'll break my heart because I love this band, but hey you have to do what you have to do.

That's great! Enjoy! Very encouraging to know you're gonna go for it and not let tinnitus stop you. Be safe! And please let me know what ear protection works best for you. Hope to protect my ears at future concerts as well. Have fun!

 

[Flamingo1]

For shame! Speaking to the experience of what is likely that of the disproportionate majority of tinnitus sufferers (approx 1/6th of the general population) who developed this condition through routine + sustained noise exposure is so far removed from the realm of acceptable discourse here that I'll be posting my 1000 word essay countering this VERY soon as it makes me VERY upset!! I'm 65 btw.

I have no idea what you just said.

 

[Bill Bauer]

What do I believe? What I've being saying all along, that an individual like the OP or someone like myself who has Tinnitus as a result of acoustic trauma won't worsen their condition by continuing to play or attend concerts so long as they use hearing protection.

What if I provide you with examples of people whose experiences contradict your hypothesis?

 

[Suzerman]

Don't forget to take ear breaks as well Continuous high levels of noise (80 dB and up) are also not good for the ears.

I really want to do this, but I am worried that once I walk out I won't be able to get back in or that my spot is gone. How do people manage to do this? And how many breaks are needed do you think?

Absolutely not. The very very most you can filter with 2 sets of plugs is 17dB. The formula is:

Take your best plugs (muffs most likely) at NRR 31dB rating. They don't reduce 31dB. You take 31-7 divided by 2 = 12. The amount of reduction is 12dB. The second set say they are foam at 32dB. You can only reduce a further 5 dB with the second set. So that's 12 + 5 = 17dB reduction. There are some muffs on the net that claim 37dB reduction, but I bought a set and they are not better than the 3M Peltor X5A muffs at NRR 31dB.

I am a musician and I have been using 20 dB musician's plugs thinking I was getting a 20dB reduction, but in fact it is only 6.5dB reduction. I have been compiling a list today of the different musician's plugs and have found most are hiding their NRR ratings and claiming higher ratings, or stating a NSR (UK rating 6 dB higher number than NRR) or just flat out lying about their claims. Here is my list so far:

Earpiece NRR 19 / 14 / 11
https://www.amazon.com/EarPeace-Con...EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-4&th=1

Vibes (shark tank) 15 NRR
https://www.amazon.com/Vibes-High-F...ords=EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-7

Eargasm NRR 16 (says it's 21 though) liars
https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Musi...EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-9&th=1

Eardial NRR 11
https://www.amazon.com/EarDial-HiFi...rds=EarPeace&qid=1566837689&s=gateway&sr=8-10

Earasers Earplugs NRR 5 (Says 19 peak) NRR 16 (says -31dB peak)

LiveMus!c HearSafe Earplugs NRR 29dB NRR 23dB
https://www.amazon.com/HearSafe-Ear...87I8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

EarPeace NRR 11 / 13 / 20
https://www.earpeace.com/products/earplugs?variant=43678845124

EarDefense no NRR rating they say 27dB and 23dB, so at best 21dB and 16dB

The LiveMus!c HearSafe Earplugs have the highest ratings so far (if it is true) at NRR 29dB = 11dB reduction.

Also remember the bass frequencies do not get stopped by earplugs or earmuffs.

This is good to know. Thanks! I'll keep this in mind tonight while watching the dB levels.

@Lane you say exactly what this is. I want to see what I can handle and do so I'll know for future reference. If I just never go to a concert again I'll be safe but maybe it's a bit overboard, because my ears might be able to handle it just fine. But we'll never know until I try. The opposite could also happen, which would be really shitty, but at the very least I'll then know for sure never to do it again.

 

[Earing]

I would sit this one out.

Some people here have shared their regrets over exactly what you are going to do. Large spikes that stay forever. Is it worth the risk?

 

[Greg Clarke]

My audiologist also

I really want to do this, but I am worried that once I walk out I won't be able to get back in or that my spot is gone. How do people manage to do this? And how many breaks are needed do you think

I'll be crucified for this again I'm sure but I don't take any breaks. Once you're not standing near the stage I think you'll be ok. I've hit 11 concerts this year, probably do another 5 before the year is out. No increase. No Spikes.

As a matter of interest, who are you going to see and what type of venue is it?

 

[Suzerman]

I'll be crucified for this again I'm sure but I don't take any breaks. Once you're not standing near the stage I think you'll be ok. I've hit 11 concerts this year, probably do another 5 before the year is out. No increase. No Spikes.

As a matter of interest, who are you going to see and what type of venue is it?

I'm going to see Hatari hahaha. The venue is apparently medium sized, not too big not too small. And I've even sent an e-mail to the venue to ask about dB levels. Don't know if they're gonna reply though.

 

[John Mahan]

I'll be crucified for this again I'm sure but I don't take any breaks. Once you're not standing near the stage I think you'll be ok. I've hit 11 concerts this year, probably do another 5 before the year is out. No increase. No Spikes.

As a matter of interest, who are you going to see and what type of venue is it?

Greg, you will appreciate the following about Clapton. Appreciate in the sense, he will not stop playing the guitar in spite of his hearing deficit. Pretty understandable how he got there:
https://people.com/music/eric-clapton-losing-hearing-deaf-tinnitus/

Good news is...what I believe...in 30+ years by the time you are Clapton's age, science will have unraveled DNA to the point of understanding how to restore hearing and eradicate tinnitus.

 

[Flamingo1]

I'll be crucified for this again I'm sure but I don't take any breaks. Once you're not standing near the stage I think you'll be ok. I've hit 11 concerts this year, probably do another 5 before the year is out. No increase. No Spikes.

I stopped going to concerts, protect my ears and have experienced a DECREASE in my tinnitus.

 

[Gabriel]

How do you explain the many cases reported here where someone wore earplugs to a concert and ended up with a permanent spike?

I don't know the loudness level you were exposed to, or the ear plugs you were using, or if you were using them right?
There are many factors.
A concert can be 100dB, it can also be 130dB. Do you know how much was yours?
I also have used ear foams for decades as a drummer and noticed people in general don't know how to use them.

And the difference is HUGE.

I make them go very deep when I use them and could hear the drums less than someone talking when I don't wear them. But if I use them wrongly then the sound of drums would be too high.
So the difference is huge.

For proper use you need to roll the foam in your hand, and then kind of roll it into your ear too, like a screw. And it must be very deep. And when the foam is returning to its original size you can really feel it inside your ear canal.

The vast majority of people I know never roll the foam in their hand and just put it into their ear, like an earphone. It's very inefficient, so I was always showing them and sometimes putting the ear foams myself in their ears.

If some of you are interested I could even make a video, I am experienced with ear foams