Best Earplugs?

[chris j]

Hi all

I have had tinnitus for 5 weeks, the screeching is horrendous (noise induced from a concert). I want to get some earplugs should I find myself in a noisy bar or potentially at a gig in future. Resting the ears and avoiding loud noise but really worried to be honest that I'll be like this forever.

What are the best musician type earplugs to protect my ears?

chris

 

[Luman]

Custom earplugs are best, as far as ready-made plugs there are many. I use (non-custom) Etymotic ER·20XS, which are good for moderate levels of noise protection at clubs and concerts.

 

[kelpiemsp]

I really like the Etymotic Music Pro! I picked them up for going to concerts. So far so good, but they are a little expensive and battery life is so-so.

 

[Niel S.]

Custom earplugs are best, as far as ready-made plugs there are many. I use (non-custom) Etymotic ER·20XS, which are good for moderate levels of noise protection at clubs and concerts.

I looked for custom molded earplugs, these one's look like the best option to me:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WIXL6IM/
They are called decibullz and you can mold them yourself.

"EASY SHAPE SYSTEM: Simply heat the Decibullz thermoplastic molds in boiling water, let them cool for a bit, and shape them to your ears. That's it, and If you don't get the perfect fit the first time Decibullz are the only custom earplugs that are re-moldable."

They offer 31 decibel protection which is quite high.

I'm working in a loud factory and i'm looking for earplugs with high level of protection. Normal foam earplugs are kind of rubbish for that purpose.

 

[Ento]

I have been using the Quies Natural Earplugs for 20+ years. They offer up to 27db protection and do not expand and hurt inside the ear canal like foam plugs do.

 

[Bobby B]

Moldex Meteors inserted deep should provide up to 32 dB but you have to insert those properly.

 

[Plainsman]

Hi all,

Trying to find out what is the latest and greatest in March of 2019! I've determined not to live in a bubble, but that does not mean I want to be unwise either. If I'm really in louder (unsafe for prolonged exposure) environments I will currently pop in some foam plugs with the highest dB rating I can find. They do the job, but not great for when I still want to be able to clearly discern what is going on, just with the volume turned down. I would love to go back to the movies, a festival or restaurant with live music, etc.

Anyone have experience with some of the latest and greatest high fidelity passive plugs on the market?

 

[Digital Doc]

I use several:

Howard Leight MAX-1 for the most protective.

Mack's Ultra for almost as protective and the most comfortable.

3M UltraFit for a less protective, but still very good reusable option. I find these easier and faster to put in and use them for short activities like running the paper shredder for example.

Avantek musician plugs for less protective situations, like a supermarket.

 

[Drone Draper]

You should speak to a local audiologist, they will fit you with custom plugs.

I got these ones fitted for me.

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/products/hearing-protection/pro-series/pro-17

They block out about 17db across the board - the flatness means you'll be able to hear the music properly. I asked if I should have gotten more powerful ones. Apparently the stronger ones from ACS don't have as flat of a profile and are more for work.

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/images/gallery/pro-series/PRO-SERIES-DATA-CHART-2019.pdf

If you are shooting regularly as your profile seems to indicate, you should get specific ones for shooting. I'm not from the US, so I am clueless to which brands are good, but we have many US members that could help.

 

[Plainsman]

Thanks - wondering about some I've heard about (EAR defense for example) that actually use some type of filter. I've been using foam and silicone which do a fine job volume reduction wise, but are very weak on preserving clarity.

I'm getting lots of ads on my feed for musician/high fidelity type plugs that are supposed to still protect, but preserve all of the sound quality. These are new to me, and I don't know anyone personally who has experience with them.

 

[Plainsman]

You should speak to a local audiologist, they will fit you with custom plugs.

I got these ones fitted for me.

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/products/hearing-protection/pro-series/pro-17

They block out about 17db across the board - the flatness means you'll be able to hear the music properly. I asked if I should have gotten more powerful ones. Apparently the stronger ones from ACS don't have as flat of a profile and are more for work.

https://www.acscustom.com/uk/images/gallery/pro-series/PRO-SERIES-DATA-CHART-2019.pdf

If you are shooting regularly as your profile seems to indicate, you should get specific ones for shooting. I'm not from the US, so I am clueless to which brands are good, but we have many US members that could help.

Thanks, good suggestion. Don't plan on being a regular shooter since getting tinnitus

 

[dellwas]

Thanks, good suggestion. Don't plan on being a regular shooter since getting tinnitus

Me neither, but I ordered these by Browning, which are for shooting. I plan on use then when working with grinders, etc, in the garage when working on metal. They are NRR 37 which is pretty awesome. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0...e4d-99f483cdfe00&pf_rd_r=MQE8JZP8MR436RMWE4KG