as much as i want to be wearing earplugs when i play, i've never been satisfied. i understand that i need to spend money in order to achieve this level of safety/comfortability/happiness, but i've never really concerned myself with finding such alternatives.

are any of these recommendations truly worth the amount you sometimes have to pay?

or, maybe i'm just cheap...

I was cheap....always using the squishy foam at $5.95 for 50 or whatever..but I thought to myself that even if it cost me $300 that was a cheap insurance policy on my ears since I'm more apt to wear them if they were comfortable. Fortunately they were more like $200 for both types of plugs. Cheap? Hell no. Worth it? Hell yes.

slowriot wrote:are any of these recommendations truly worth the amount you sometimes have to pay?

ER20 plugs cost me £11 and are excellent. They are probably cheaper in the US.

http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/de ... ku=AER20HF

You can get them in "clear" to either look more subtle, or to try and emulate myself.

$200 earplugs < cost of dealing with tinnitus

I went to an audiologist (m.d.) seven or eight years ago and got a a pair of custom molded plugs with -15 dB inserts. The plugs are molded to fit my ear canals and I could insert more powerful filters if I chose but I've never found a need. The filters are frequency discriminant and only (I think) block out the higher (damaging) frequencies at certain volumes. It cost me about $150 in 1997 or 98. Insurance is unlikely to cover these.

I tried the -6 dB screw in one size fits all version before that. These are vastly superior, though that frequency discrimination I mentioned is something less than desirable. It bothers me more when I'm trying to sing than trying to play. The dynamic relationships between my voice and the band seem to disappear, consequently I over-sing.

Superior to the form-fitted version is nothing at all. When attending a show, this isn't reliable. When performing, I prefer to get a low stage volume dialed in if we have a sound check. If we don't, I always have my plugs in the left front pocket of my jeans.

Any hearing you lose is something you will never get back. I don't care how you have to do it, but don't let that happen.

I've always used foam or wax earplugs. (I'm sure the fancy ones are nicer...) You need to get used to them. Your brain will compensate. Perception is more than just your eardrum, your brain is working hard.

Stick to using your earplugs and you will soon be reacting to the music the way you were without them.

I guess I don't have any other choice (but to use earplugs...). i might be rehearsing in the morning and mixing in the afternoon or whatever. But to me normal band volumes and typical rehearsal space acoustics means you need earplugs.

Javier Ortiz

I'm a cheapskate so I use the yellow foam ones, but I use them religiously. Don't forget about environmental noise, either- I even wear them when mowing the lawn or while flying. It's a great excuse for not talking to the annoying idiot in the seat next to you. Also nice for dealing with the screaming baby that federal regulations seem to require on every commercial aircraft.

I have never gotten used to singing with the earplugs in.

Do any of you remember/know what that place on Milwaukee Ave (Chicago) where they make the fancy molded type ear plugs. Sensiphonics or something?

greg wrote:Do any of you remember/know what that place on Milwaukee Ave (Chicago) where they make the fancy molded type ear plugs. Sensiphonics or something?

sensaphonics

www.sensaphonics.com

great plugs