I need earplugs, any suggestions?

Post by martinbr
I have been doing a lot of playing lately, and need to get some
earplugs. I am playing jazz bebop, so i need something that isn't
going to dampen so much that it hinders my playing.
I have a long history of hearing problems due to loud rock& roll
music as a kid and being around a lot of loud machinery. I have
tinnitus going in both ears and don't want it to get any worse. Maybe
molded?
thanks,
martinbr

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Steve Turner

2010-04-10 00:58:02 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product existed, or that
decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of money. I'm gonna find
out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand before next week's practice...

--
See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad!
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

John

2010-04-10 01:00:29 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

--
John

-MIKE-

2010-04-10 03:31:19 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.

The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.

Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Steve Turner

2010-04-10 23:47:34 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.
The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

I was going to call John's assertion into question, but it have been pure
speculation and I figured I'd need only wait for you to respond to get the real
answer. :-)

--
See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad!
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

Steve Turner

2010-04-11 20:33:33 UTC

Post by -MIKE-
I got these and they are serving me very well.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vater-EARPLUGS-104229588-i1170172.gc
They don't muffle all the high end like regular, foam plugs.
It just sounds like someone turned down the master volume of the world. :-)
The two inserts are very convenient for either loud or very loud rooms.

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.
The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

I was going to call John's assertion into question, but it have been
pure speculation and I figured I'd need only wait for you to respond to
get the real answer. :-)

I just got back from Home Depot (looking for something else that I didn't find;
so what's new) and I stopped by the goggles and earplugs section. I found what
I'm guessing to be the plugs that John suggested (I think they were $4.97) and
they are indeed NOT "the same thing" as the Vater musician's plugs. They sorta
LOOK like the Vater plugs (ribbed inserts, tether cords, and carrying case),
but they are just "plugs", without any filter system, and they block out far
more decibels (I think it was 36) than I think would be useful for a musician.
I searched for them on the HD website, but did not find the model I saw in
the store. If I can't find the Vater plugs locally I will be placing an order
for them online.

--
See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad!
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

John

2010-04-11 23:25:41 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.
The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

Sorry then, what works for me doesn't work for everyone.

--
John

-MIKE-

2010-04-11 23:45:17 UTC

Post by John

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.
The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

Sorry then, what works for me doesn't work for everyone.

John, it's not that they don't work.
There's no argument that they cut down the sound. They just cut too
much... volume and frequency spectrum.

If you ever get a chance to try some musicians' plugs, I think you'd
love them.

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Mike

2010-04-13 03:21:22 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.
The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

How are you Mike? And that was going to be my question which was how
many DB do these things cut? I was looking at custom in ear monitors
from my audioligist as my insurance doesnt cover me for these. The
cost is $200.00. I can get them in 15db and 25 db versions. I was
thinking 25 db would be a little too much. Right now I am running foam
ear plugs and i am used to them but i miss my snare drum sound and its
hard to hear the guitarist.

http://www.myspace.com/michaelhfell

http://www.myspace.com/mfell

Regards

Mike

-MIKE-

2010-04-13 04:12:26 UTC

Post by Mike

Post by -MIKE-
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

Doing well, Mike... hope all is good in your world.

Just so everyone is clear, I'm talking about ear plugs, not in-ear
monitors.
Obviously, they are two different things... but both providing ear
protection.

It's hard to label these at a strict dB rating, since it varies across
the spectrum.
So, I scanned the back of the package that has a chart for both red and
green inserts.

Loading Image...

For what it's worth, they can be had for much less than 20 bucks and
these look pretty similar, if you have trouble finding the vaters...
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20-ts.aspx

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

2sticks

2010-04-23 18:23:56 UTC

Post by Mike

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product
existed, or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of
money. I'm gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand
before next week's practice...

Get 'em at Home Depot or Lowes for far cheaper. They'll be the same thing

Sorry, John, they won't..... unless home stores have started carrying
earplugs that have equal frquency attenuation. Since I'm at both those
places more than the music store, I probably would've noticed.
The cheap safety plugs sold for ear protection are not the same thing,
even if they look the same (rubber fins). They muffle the sound way
too much and totally block all high end.
Musicians plugs have near equal frequency attenuation and at a much
lower cut than safety plugs. They do not sound all muffled like safety
plugs and literally sound as if the entire world just got quieter by 15dB.

How are you Mike? And that was going to be my question which was how
many DB do these things cut? I was looking at custom in ear monitors
from my audioligist as my insurance doesnt cover me for these. The
cost is $200.00. I can get them in 15db and 25 db versions. I was
thinking 25 db would be a little too much. Right now I am running foam
ear plugs and i am used to them but i miss my snare drum sound and its
hard to hear the guitarist.
http://www.myspace.com/michaelhfell
http://www.myspace.com/mfell
Regards
Mike

I'm running molded plugs with 15db and 25db filters. I play a decent
amount of loud rock and the 25db filters work great for this -- also
great for rock concerts. It all comes down to what your environment is
and how loud the ambient noise levels. I think a jazzer would do fine
on the 15 or even 7db cuts. Just my 2 cents...

-MIKE-

2010-04-10 03:54:48 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product existed,
or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of money. I'm
gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand before next
week's practice...

My pleasure, Steve. I looked at these for a couple years but never bit. I
thought, they were way too expensive for "simple ear plugs." Boy was I
wrong.

They are so much better than the foams (obviously), but also MUCH better
than the regular rubber fins plugs that only cut 6-15dB.

Added bonus for you and I... wear them in the shop. I like to hear my
powertools because they offer a lot of audible feedback, as you surely
know. The 33dB plugs cut the sound way too much. With musician plugs, I
can still here the sounds the tools make, just softer.

Added bonus, specific to me.... I usually end up driving home from blues
jams with the windows rolled down on the interstate in an attempt to
remove some of the cigarette smoke from my clothing. You know how loud
the radio has to be to counter that volume, right? Not good for the
ears. I wear the plugs and it's perfect... radio sounds fine and I can
still hear other cars and traffic sounds.

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Steve Turner

2010-04-10 23:52:01 UTC

Dang Mike, thanks for posting this; I had no idea this product existed,
or that decent musician's plugs could be had for this kind of money. I'm
gonna find out if my local Gutter Center has these on hand before next
week's practice...

Yep, foam plugs are worse than useless; never tried the latter.

Added bonus for you and I... wear them in the shop. I like to hear my
powertools because they offer a lot of audible feedback, as you surely
know. The 33dB plugs cut the sound way too much. With musician plugs, I
can still here the sounds the tools make, just softer.

I wear the full-blown ear muffs that cut off most everything (including your
blood circulation!), but I wouldn't mind being more in tune with the sounds of
the tools. I'll have to experiment with that. :-)

Added bonus, specific to me.... I usually end up driving home from blues
jams with the windows rolled down on the interstate in an attempt to
remove some of the cigarette smoke from my clothing. You know how loud
the radio has to be to counter that volume, right? Not good for the
ears. I wear the plugs and it's perfect... radio sounds fine and I can
still hear other cars and traffic sounds.

Sounds like you take those things everywhere! Do the tether cords that come
with the product hold up well and do a good job?

--
Any given amount of traffic flow, no matter how
sparse, will expand to fill all available lanes.
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

-MIKE-

2010-04-11 03:08:28 UTC

Post by -MIKE-
Added bonus, specific to me.... I usually end up driving home from blues
jams with the windows rolled down on the interstate in an attempt to
remove some of the cigarette smoke from my clothing. You know how loud
the radio has to be to counter that volume, right? Not good for the
ears. I wear the plugs and it's perfect... radio sounds fine and I can
still hear other cars and traffic sounds.

Sounds like you take those things everywhere! Do the tether cords that
come with the product hold up well and do a good job?

What? :-)
After 30, your hearing is much easier to damage, permanently, so I'm
kind of paranoid about it.

One thing I forgot to mention, because it's an easy fix, is that the
plastic cord comes off the plugs too easily. I took a lighter and melted
the ends a bit to swell them so they can't come out.

Another thing I did was put some foam in the lid to hold the other
filters, which are very easily misplaced or dropped.

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Jim Dwyer

2010-04-10 17:27:17 UTC

I'm Getting a pair!

Jim

I got these and they are serving me very well.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vater-EARPLUGS-104229588-i1170172.gc
They don't muffle all the high end like regular, foam plugs.
It just sounds like someone turned down the master volume of the world.
:-)
The two inserts are very convenient for either loud or very loud rooms.
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

-MIKE-

2010-04-10 17:47:33 UTC

Post by Jim Dwyer
I'm Getting a pair!
Jim

Finally! After everyone's been telling you to grow a pair. :-p

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Jim Dwyer

2010-04-11 14:41:43 UTC

I have been married for 25 years! That pair has shrivelled up from neglect
years ago!

I meant a pair of ear plugs. Here is a site for the Canadians eh:

http://www.long-mcquade.com//products/175/

Jim

Post by Jim Dwyer
I'm Getting a pair!
Jim

Finally! After everyone's been telling you to grow a pair. :-p
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

-MIKE-

2010-04-11 15:12:09 UTC

Post by Jim Dwyer
I have been married for 25 years! That pair has shrivelled up from neglect
years ago!

OVER-SHARE!!! :-)

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Pete Pemberton

2010-04-10 04:45:53 UTC

Post by martinbr
I have been doing a lot of playing lately, and need to get some
earplugs. I am playing jazz bebop, so i need something that isn't
going to dampen so much that it hinders my playing.
I have a long history of hearing problems due to loud rock & roll
music as a kid and being around a lot of loud machinery. I have
tinnitus going in both ears and don't want it to get any worse. Maybe
molded?
thanks,
martinbr

Molded yes, I wouls suggest getting 9db and 15db filters. I have 9's
15's and 25's. 25's are for very loud sounds, like a big guitar or bass
amp that is turned up insanely loud and pointed at your head.

PP

Frisbieinstein

2010-04-11 07:24:42 UTC

Post by martinbr
I have been doing a lot of playing lately, and need to get some
earplugs. I am playing jazz bebop, so i need something that isn't
going to dampen so much that it hinders my playing.
I have a long history of hearing problems due to loud rock & roll
music as a kid and being around a lot of loud machinery. I have
tinnitus going in both ears and don't want it to get any worse. Maybe
molded?
thanks,
martinbr

I use simple over-the-counter silicone ear plugs. I don't like foam.

Sabarmic

2010-04-11 18:05:51 UTC

Post by Frisbieinstein

I use simple over-the-counter silicone ear plugs. I don't like foam.

I bought specially fitted Tympro earplugs years ago. They don't muffle,
just cut away everything over 80 dB. In this way you'll hear everything
exept for the overdose of volume. They are a bit expensive (bought them
for about a 100 Euro's a few years back) to buy, but they are their
money's worth.

You pay $ 20,- for some plugs you'll use a few weeks. Mine last for
years at an end. Cheaper in the long run and much better for your ears.
A win win situation. There must be other brands that will do the same,
so just check out the market for you best buy.

Michael

-MIKE-

2010-04-11 18:47:14 UTC

Post by Sabarmic
You pay $ 20,- for some plugs you'll use a few weeks.
Michael

How do you come to this conclusion?
From what I can tell, they don't "wear out."

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Sabarmic

2010-04-11 20:29:19 UTC

Post by Sabarmic
You pay $ 20,- for some plugs you'll use a few weeks.
Michael

How do you come to this conclusion?
From what I can tell, they don't "wear out."

Well, if that is so, than please go ahead and use your plugs ...

It just makes me wonder if they "do the job". The plugs I use are
especially fitted to the shape of my ears and do not "leak". Sabars have
a really sharp and high pitch, yet they don't bother me when playing.
It's just my two pennies.

Should you want more detailed info on the plugs and what they can do,
than go to:

http://www.drumworld.nl/news/detail/?CCA472DC1D8C454FB76D9972D4CC6301

or

http://www.ottraco.co.uk/musician.html

Best,

Michael

-MIKE-

2010-04-11 21:56:01 UTC

Post by Sabarmic

Post by Sabarmic
You pay $ 20,- for some plugs you'll use a few weeks.
Michael

How do you come to this conclusion?
From what I can tell, they don't "wear out."

Well, if that is so, than please go ahead and use your plugs ...
It just makes me wonder if they "do the job". The plugs I use are
especially fitted to the shape of my ears and do not "leak". Sabars have
a really sharp and high pitch, yet they don't bother me when playing.
It's just my two pennies.
Should you want more detailed info on the plugs and what they can do,
http://www.drumworld.nl/news/detail/?CCA472DC1D8C454FB76D9972D4CC6301
or
http://www.ottraco.co.uk/musician.html
Best,
Michael

I know about plugs, as I've been using all kinds of hearing protection
and monitors, including in-ear monitors, for years.

You asserted that the $20 plugs I mentioned would wear out, implying
that one needs expensive ones. I asked for clarification... I thought
maybe you had some information or experience that shows that these plugs
wear out or something? If you did, I would certainly want to know about
it, as would others who are looking into getting them.

No offense intended, but just saying, "It just makes me wonder..."
doesn't really offer any evidence.

--
-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
***@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Pete Pemberton

2010-04-12 12:25:06 UTC

Post by Sabarmic

Post by Frisbieinstein

I use simple over-the-counter silicone ear plugs. I don't like foam.

I bought specially fitted Tympro earplugs years ago. They don't
muffle, just cut away everything over 80 dB. In this way you'll hear
everything exept for the overdose of volume. They are a bit expensive
(bought them for about a 100 Euro's a few years back) to buy, but they
are their money's worth.
You pay $ 20,- for some plugs you'll use a few weeks. Mine last for
years at an end. Cheaper in the long run and much better for your ears.
A win win situation. There must be other brands that will do the same,
so just check out the market for you best buy.
Michael

I think they will last long enough. My problem is I have small ear
canals, so the custom molded option was the only one that worked for me
years ago. I have had mine about 9 years or so, I think. Molded
silicone, haven't noticd any degredation that many of the
manufacturer's of in ear monitors are claiming to further bash some of
thje high end makers of silicone products.

It's funny to me, the acylic in ears suck, everyone knows they suck,
why do these guys have to bash someone else's product? Get some
Oto-Ease and it will help the experience, some people just can't
justify spending $800 on silicone in ear monitors. My acrylic ones work
fine, but I sure do miss the sensaphonics silicone. (I had a woofer go
out on me and didn't want top spend *another* $800 after only 6 years
of use).

Speaking of funny, anyone check out Merton (the piano player guy) and
his videos from Ichat Roulette or whatever?
http://www.youtube.com/user/PianoChatImprov

PP

Chris Milillo

2010-04-27 01:40:22 UTC

"Pete Pemberton" <***@fuse.net> wrote in message news:2010041208250675249-***@fusenet...
<snipped>

It's funny to me, the acylic in ears suck, everyone knows they suck,

why do these guys have to bash someone else's product? Get some Oto-Ease
and it will help the experience, some people just can't justify spending
$800 on silicone in ear monitors. My acrylic ones work fine, but I sure do
miss the sensaphonics silicone. (I had a woofer go out on me and didn't
want top spend *another* $800 after only 6 years of use).
PP

Oto Ease! I knew there should be a product like this, that would also help
with the acoustic seal!! I'm going to order a truckload! Thanks, Pete!

CM

Pete Pemberton

2010-04-28 04:27:15 UTC