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 filter recommendation for custom earplugs?
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| Author | Topic: filter recommendation for custom earplugs? |
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Nicholas Dedring Member From: Brooklyn, New York, USA |
posted 31 August 2004 09:16 AM
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What strength filter is a good choice for the custom earplugs? This is for medium volume practice spaces, and gigs where I end up stuck next to drummers, but not in particularly loud rooms. Can't hear my own playing with the foam plugs, and I find the non-custom high fidelity plugs really really irritating. The filters are available in 9NRR, 15NRR, and 25NRR... what do you folks use, who have these plugs (etymotics or other custom mold equivalent.) |
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John Macy Member From: Denver, CO USA |
posted 31 August 2004 10:08 AM
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I have the 9's and the 15's. Mostly use 9's, but if it's really loud, use the 15's. The 25's cut out too much for my taste. They are true lifesaver's.... |
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Jon Light Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 31 August 2004 11:59 AM
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I'm way past overdue to look into this. John, and anyone else with experience with this---is there a 'getting used to them' curve? I'm worried about spending the $$ and then trying them and saying "I can't work with this!" and ditching them. I would love to put 'em in and not think about it again. Also, does it take some training to not turn up louder to compensate? Thanks for any help. I'm coming to think that ringing ears isn't a proud badge of how bitchin' you sounded last night.  [This message was edited by Jon Light on 31 August 2004 at 11:59 AM.] |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 31 August 2004 12:03 PM
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I have all three filter types, and find I virtually always use the 9's for the gigs I play. They cut the overall volume enough, and I can still hear the actual tone of eveything very well. I often wish they made a -6DB filter. Sometimes I will put a -15DB in the ear on the drummers side. Note: if you are getting custom filters made, there is a law that says if they don't fit right, they have to remold them for free (within 30 days of receiving them). |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 31 August 2004 12:17 PM
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Jon, I'm pretty sure they have to give your money back if you can't handle the plug factor. Mine were $125 a few years back. I think you will find there is a learning curve to getting them in and out. I typically use a little neosporen on mine to help them slide in and seal well (but chap-stick or a little spit will do). Also, when taking them out, watch that you don't knock the filter out, as it will go flying into never-ever land. I've worn 'em for 4 days straight at conventions, and they're comfortabe. They come with one set of filters, but I ordered the others as well, and use them all as needed for loud concerts that I attend as well as gigs. The ringing in the ears is what got me believing that I needed them, and I use them religously now. Like when you are setting up and drummer is "tuning" his drums... lead singer needs a little more monitor at sound check and it gives the loudest feedback known to man (everone else winces in horror, thankfully I had my plugs in.), rehearsals (if needed), etc. [This message was edited by Pete Burak on 31 August 2004 at 12:17 PM.] |
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Lee Baucum Member From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) - The Final Frontier |
posted 31 August 2004 12:53 PM
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Where does one go to get these custom ear plugs? Do you order them on-line or go to your local audiologist? ------------------ |
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John Steele Member From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada |
posted 31 August 2004 01:20 PM
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I'm also very in favour of earplugs. I never go to a gig without them. (I don't use them all the time though). Lee, I got mine through an audiologist. Jon, I recommend a person puts them in before the gig starts, that way the "adjustment time" isn't all on the stage. My own rule is - if you wait until halfway through the gig to put them in, you'll have a bad time adjusting. Singing is the weirdest thing. It's solved so many problems for me, I don't know why I didn't do it before. No more arguments with deaf musicians about unreasonable volume levels. As far as turning up louder to compensate: remember, everything is still relative, just quieter. If you find you can't hear yourself with them, then you certainly couldn't hear yourself without them. -John p.s. Of course, nobody has mentioned the vicious circle of hearing loss: too loud = hearing damage = having to turn up more = more hearing damage. |
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seldomfed Member From: Colorado |
posted 31 August 2004 01:28 PM
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Call an audiologist. They mold them in the office. Alternately - see if there is a University audiology program close by - they often have hearing test services cheaper, and provide ER plugs as well. Recommended process is;
quote: I only use ER-15db filters and superglued them in so they don't fly out. Perhaps mold two pairs so you don't have to worry about losing filters. They get a little loose after a while. Also the little nylon handles will break so be careful removing, don't yank them out. I use them for concerts, lawnmowing, motorcycle riding, freeway driving and sometimes playing if it's too loud. Highly recommended. ------------------ |
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Earnest Bovine Member From: Los Angeles CA USA |
posted 31 August 2004 02:10 PM
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I use -25dB but I wish there were 35 or 40 because it still hurts with some bands. |
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Terry VunCannon Member From: Randleman, North Carolina, USA |
posted 31 August 2004 02:16 PM
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I use the -15DB ear filters. I don't have to use them all of the time, but when I think that things are getting a little loud, I don't hesitate to use them. I really find that it really cleans up a "Too Loud" stage & makes it much easier to hear everything. |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 31 August 2004 03:19 PM
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Here are a few websites (from a quick google search). http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme-wrfy.asp http://www.westone.com/music/elite.html http://www.hearnet.com/index.shtml |
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Garth Highsmith Member From: |
posted 31 August 2004 04:01 PM
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. [This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 12 January 2006 at 09:35 AM.] |
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Chris Lasher Member From: Athens, Georgia, USA |
posted 31 August 2004 04:46 PM
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Wow, thanks a bunch for this thread! Very informative. I'm going to call the UGA Hearing Clinic tomorrow and schedule an appointment to get a test and moldings. |
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Bob Hoffnar Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 31 August 2004 04:56 PM
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I use the 25's. Remember that everything sounds exactly the same only quieter so there is nothing to get used to. I've used 3 different companies for the molds and I think that the microsonic ms-beige are the most comfortable. The filters are the cheap part so once you have the molds you can put different level filters in. ------------------ |
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Buck Dilly Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA |
posted 31 August 2004 06:46 PM
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I think a 1/2 oz. lead sinker in my drummer's side ear helps. |
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Travis Bernhardt Member From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
posted 31 August 2004 08:30 PM
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I use the 15db filters, but I sometimes wish I had the 25db ones--especially for going to shows. Frankly, I don't understand the people saying they like the 9db filters. Even with the plugs my ears still ring after a loud show. The more cut the better, as far as I'm concerned. I found that at first they had a perfectly flat response (as near as I could tell, anyways), but after a while I started to notice a loss of the really high highs. I don't know if it's my ears getting worse, the filters getting worse, or just me starting to notice a difference. From reading the posts here it looks like I should go get my hearing checked and/or buy new filters. Depressing... -Travis P.S. I think that these are a genuinely useful thing, that anyone who plays or attends shows should have a pair. I used to use those bright orange earplugs from the drugstore, but the sound is A LOT better through the custom plugs. You will kick yourself for not getting them sooner. |
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Scott Houston unregistered |
posted 01 September 2004 06:30 AM
H.E.A.R. in San Francisco used to do free screenings and custom molded plugs on a sliding scale for musicians. Not sure if they still do, but if you are in the area and looking for some hearing protection, it might be worth giving them a call. |
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seldomfed Member From: Colorado |
posted 01 September 2004 10:56 AM
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yeah, I call them my 'volume knob for the world' - if I use them when driving on the interstate long distances - I'm so refreshed at the end of the day it's amazing. Also, airplane rides! Also to and from gigs (recording, playing) - then my ears a note fatigued by car noise. Great stuff.
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Tommy Roten Member From: Vanvikan, Norway |
posted 01 September 2004 11:26 AM
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I have 9 db filter, and I never play without them. I found out that it was much easier to fall to sleep after a gig when I use them, instead of lying there hearing all the songs you've played that night in once... |
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wt golden Member From: Houston, Texas, USA |
posted 04 September 2004 08:07 PM
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Not to beat a dead horse here - but I can easily say that the purchase of my plugs was the best $150 I ever spent. I got the 25 and I use them all the time. For gigs and rehearsals and just attending shows I always take them. I do use them for airplane trips and long car trips as well and I can't say enough how comfortable I am with them. |
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Chris Lasher Member From: Athens, Georgia, USA |
posted 08 September 2004 04:37 PM
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I got my hearing tested and got molds made for custom earplugs today. Thanks very much again for bringing up this topic. This ought to be a terrific investment. My hearing is absolutely great, and these will keep it that way. I look forward to picking up the plugs in a few weeks.  |
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