Earplugs

[konastab01]

I am shooting more and more gigs.
With the noise levels being stupidily high I think its time I got some proper earplugs
So far I have been using Bioears,You mould them into the shape of your ears.
But they are a little fidily and sometimes they are hard to get them to seat right in your ear.

Is it worth going down the custom route or is there any off the shelf plug that are just as good?

Feel free to move this but I felt it was a equipment issue with it being used in photography.

Thanks

[the_doctor199]

If you're doing a lot of gigs you might want to get a custom set, quite frankly any of them will do, even wet some toilet roll and shove it in your ears.

[wombar]

Hi konastab01,

This is actually a subject that is very close to my heart as I see a lot of people at gigs without plugs, and quite frankly I think everyone should have them. I play drums and the amount of musicians who aren't looking after their ears is shocking IMO.

I run a drum site with an article which I hope is some help: http://www.drumlesson.co.uk/drum-articles/band-stuff/earplugs-for-drummers-32.htm

Custom moulds are meant to be great, but are a tad pricey at ~£120. I personally prefer the Elacin ER20 which work REALLY well, are easy to get in/out and are cheap enough that if you lose them you won't be crying too much.

If nothing else, just get some foam ones from boots, tinnitus isn't fun believe me.

[the_doctor199]

Hi konastab01,

This is actually a subject that is very close to my heart as I see a lot of people at gigs without plugs, and quite frankly I think everyone should have them. I play drums and the amount of musicians who aren't looking after their ears is shocking IMO.

I run a drum site with an article which I hope is some help: http://www.drumlesson.co.uk/drum-articles/band-stuff/earplugs-for-drummers-32.htm

Custom moulds are meant to be great, but are a tad pricey at ~£120. I personally prefer the Elacin ER20 which work REALLY well, are easy to get in/out and are cheap enough that if you lose them you won't be crying too much.

If nothing else, just get some foam ones from boots, tinnitus isn't fun believe me.

I use those as well, very good:thumbs:

[DropDead]

Sorry if this is going to hi-jack the thread

But I find the music helps me get into the groove of taking images... like moving about and stuff

Can i get ear plugs that limit the noise?

[wombar]

Yes, check out the Elacin ER20. It filters the harmful frequencies without killing too much of the music. There are compromises with any solution, but the Elacins are a LOT better than the foam plugs IMO.

[oldestswinger]

Another post from a fellow drummer :wave:

The ER20's are great for just reducing the Sound Pressure levels across the whole spectrum - in effect this wipes out some frequencies and ends up making the music sound dead and flat - but at a lower volume/SPL and so does the job of protecting your ears at the expense of music quality.
As described above - if you want to experience the music quality and protect your ears then custom molds are the way to go.
I'd check out these guys

http://www.sensorcom.com/

A word of caution for everybody on this topic - if you come away from a gig with a ringing sensation in your ears - you have done some damage :shake:

[swanseamale47]

It's actually worth always carrying a set in your camera bag, not only for gigs but for noisy hotels (ever had a room over the foyer?) or getting some shuteye on a flight/train etc. Wayne

[Moos3h]

And yet another drummer here - I use the Boots 'Muffles' wax ones. About £2 for 6 - brilliant and I get my Sunday mornings back - my wife no longer thinks I'm ignoring her.

Cheers,
James

[Blapto]

Another vote for the ER20s here, from a bassist.

[wombar]

Haha, all the drummers are coming out the woodwork now :)

I must admit, I've never tried custom moulded plugs. It's not really the cost that worries me, but fact that I'm liable to lose them. If I lose the Elacins, it's ~£12 to replace them. I'm always taking them in and out as well, so I just want something that goes in quick and doesn't need a lot of adjustment.

However, each to their own and I'm always happy to see someone wearing earplugs of any description. I really can't fathom how some people play gigs night after night with no hearing protection whatsoever.

[the_doctor199]

I really can't fathom how some people play gigs night after night with no hearing protection whatsoever.

Absolutely, its pure stupidity. I must admit there is the ocasional gig i shoot where i want to hear the music, theres one venue in particular though i wouldnt step in without something in my ears.

If anyone has a few moments of time, the absolutely fantastic Todd Owyoung has wrote a little article on it: http://ishootshows.com/2008/05/29/concert-photographers-wear-earplugs/

[Drpepper99uk]

Hi,

+1 for the ER20's by Etymotic Research, Cheap and easy to use.

Michael.

[phil golan]

FliteMate (http://www.oasis-agencies.com/v.2/product_details.php?category_id=53&item_id=173)

[Dab]

I also use Etymotic ER20's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx), everyone in my band got a set. However, only 2 of us actually use them, the drummer and lead guitarist dont bother. I don't understand it myself, because although live music generally sounds slightly more muffled and not as clear, it means i don't go deaf and lose the ability to hear music later in life.

[Paul-H]

I use these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Howard-Leight-Quiet-ear-plugs-reusable-earplugs_W0QQitemZ370065811487

[mrgubby]

If you want to scare yourselves buy a Sound Meter from Maplins (usually £30). The current regulations/guidelines say that you can ask for hearing protection at 80dB and MUST wear them at 85dB (Health and Safety at Work regs)

I've used foam earplugs since they became available (bit addicted to noisy motorbikes.....)

:)

[oldestswinger]

If you want to scare yourselves buy a Sound Meter from Maplins (usually £30). The current regulations/guidelines say that you can ask for hearing protection at 80dB and MUST wear them at 85dB (Health and Safety at Work regs)

I've used foam earplugs since they became available (bit addicted to noisy motorbikes.....)

:)

Those action levels quoted above are spot on - bear in mind though that they are for a period of 8 hours (there's some techie stuff about time and exposure but you get the drift).

[mrgubby]

Those action levels quoted above are spot on - bear in mind though that they are for a period of 8 hours (there's some techie stuff about time and exposure but you get the drift).

Every 3dB increase , half the exposure time ...



I'm a H&S advisor (but don't tell anyone, they throw stuff at me ;))

[Matt T]

I use custom ones for work, nothing compares imo. The disposable ones are useless. A good compromise is a set of ear canal earphones, my Sennheiser's wrok pretty well considering.