After an unnecessarily loud Old 97s show recently, I have my first brush with tinnitus -- just in one ear at this point, but I don't need to make this any worse.

Does anyone have recommendations for ear protection for shows? I've worn the standard foam ones before, but often feel disappointed by the experience. I see there are others listed out there, but I have no idea.

Thoughts?

TeaAtThree

Sennheiser SoundProtex (Plus) hearing protection earplugs:

"The new Sennheiser SoundProtex hearing protection earplugs enable wearers to hear the best possible sound at concerts and loud environments without having to worry about damaging their hearing. Many people will be familiar with that ringing sound in the ears after a concert, and that’s not a healthy thing. Music fans are often turned off from using earplugs as they can make it feel like the band or DJ is playing under water, which can ruin the concert experience. Utilizing the brand’s extensive knowledge of sound, the Sennheiser SoundProtex enhances the live music experience in a safe way."



[www.Sennheiser-Hearing.com] , [www.Sonova.com] - (Swiss owner of Sennheiser Consumer Electronics)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-07-08 19:20 by Irix.

I've tried several brands, most sounded like you shoved wet wads of tissue in your ears, eliminating everything in the high end making everything sound really muddy.

I finally settled on these, they work really well, lower the volume without lowering much of the clarity:

Earasers

We've had a few of these threads over the years ;-) Personally I started looking into it after being "in wool" for several days after the Trabendo show in 2012 where the sound was absolutely deafening !

I settled on the Pacato 10 years ago and haven't looked back. They're dead cheap at 20€ and do a wonderful job at "lowering" the sound and making the voice and instruments stand out. They're very comfy too and put very little pressure on the ear unlike the classic etymotics with the hard plastic "core".

[www.daddario.com]



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IORR Links : Essential Studio Outtakes CDs : Audio - History of Rarest Outtakes : Audio



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-07-08 19:19 by gotdablouse.

I use silicon earplugs. I know there's better but they do help.

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steffialicia
I use silicon earplugs. I know there's better but they do help.

Same. I've spent money on others and honestly they either feel the same as silicon or like they aren't doing enough. I also feel at this point I've seen everyone I really NEED to, so anyone I'm going to at this point I don't need the MOST clarity or its a repeat. And I've heard AC/DC do Back In Black enough without earplugs that its fine now lol.

I always carry earplugs for that "just in case it's too loud" scenario.
Mercifully I haven't had to use them for the Stones the two times I've seen them this tour.

They are doing the sound right.

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treaclefingers
I always carry earplugs for that "just in case it's too loud" scenario.
Mercifully I haven't had to use them for the Stones the two times I've seen them this tour.

They are doing the sound right.

In general, the Stones are almost always playing outside too which helps. I can't think of the last outdoor show I saw that was "too loud".

Etymotic earplugs. About $16.50 Cdn on Amazon. Have been happy with them for over 10 years.

I used to use simple earplugs but some years ago I bought Alpine Music earplugs – I still regret that I didn't buy those 10 years earlier

Ohropax Classic if you live in Germany, also seems to be available in other countries. It's wax covered in cotton that molds to your ears. And I believe it holds out a very high amount of decibels. I have troubles with high volumes for years now, you know why! Anyhow, I'm very comfortable with these at concerts. No ear ringing afterwards. Yeah of course it sucks not getting the full sound but it beats not being there. Good luck in your search for the right plugs.

Picked up a pair of Vaters at local shop. Paid $30, they're cheaper online if you have time to wait. Only thing I don't like is their size is a bit small, but they come with a string which helps if you push them in too far

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SomeTorontoGirl
Etymotic earplugs. About $16.50 Cdn on Amazon. Have been happy with them for over 10 years.

I used to use those but after trying the Earasers I never looked back, a night and day difference for clarity.

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kovach

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SomeTorontoGirl
Etymotic earplugs. About $16.50 Cdn on Amazon. Have been happy with them for over 10 years.

I used to use those but after trying the Earasers I never looked back, a night and day difference for clarity.

Will keep in mind if there’s a tour next year - thanks!

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SomeTorontoGirl
Etymotic earplugs. About $16.50 Cdn on Amazon. Have been happy with them for over 10 years.

I like the neck cord, so I can temporarily remove them but keep them accessible. Otherwise I'd probably drop them on the floor- and lose them. My audiologist said they're fine, but suggested the Etymotics custom versions would be preferred for frequent concert goers. I'm sure other brands are just as good - or better.

I also use the etymotics. Sound is very clear and my ears don’t ring after concerts.

My go to plugs are Alpine Music Safe Pro. Wore them to AC/DC (front right) on gold setting (they have three settings) and heard everything with clarity and no ringing or any other issues during or after the show.

My biggest shock was seeing so many people at the AC/DC gig without earplugs (especially young people!). Please wear earplugs people! Your ears are everything if you love music!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-07-09 09:10 by petewasbristol.

Weird isn't it that some unlucky folks suffer with bad ear damage and others largely don't after similar histories of exposure ?

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SomeTorontoGirl

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kovach

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SomeTorontoGirl
Etymotic earplugs. About $16.50 Cdn on Amazon. Have been happy with them for over 10 years.

I used to use those but after trying the Earasers I never looked back, a night and day difference for clarity.

Will keep in mind if there’s a tour next year - thanks!

I still have my old Etymotics and they work well but the hard plastic stem is not very comfortable and I sometimes worried of having it pushed in by accident ! Take a look at the Pacatos (Amazon link [www.amazon.com]), they're the same price, they offer a bit more clarity I think but mostly they're much more comfortable and there's no risk of an "accident".

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IORR Links : Essential Studio Outtakes CDs : Audio - History of Rarest Outtakes : Audio



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-07-09 13:37 by gotdablouse.

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Spud
Weird isn't it that some unlucky folks suffer with bad ear damage and others largely don't after similar histories of exposure ?

I think those who suffer ear damage immediately after a show are the "lucky" ones because they realize they need to protect their hearing. Those who don't feel the pain during/after a gig are imo more prone to permanent ear damage (like the dreadful tinnitus) later in their life.

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petewasbristol

My biggest shock was seeing so many people at the AC/DC gig without earplugs (especially young people!). Please wear earplugs people!

In 1999 I attended a Ministry/Metallica show and next to me were a Dad and his very young children, all plug free.
(btw Ministry was even louder than Metallica).

Right, if you're at a loud concert where people complain at the end and you're fine, it's probably too late to be worrying about it !

The loudest I've ever witnessed was definitely the Stones at the Trabendo, it was ridiculously loud. I saw Brad there too a year later and it was almost just as bad. Recently The Black Crowes at the Olympia was crazy loud too. I pulled out the dB meter on my phone (to get a general idea) and it showed 95dB which is the max allowed I think (they need to have a dB meter next to the desk). Everyone complained about the sound being too loud and instruments being buried in the mix as a result but with the Pacatos it was fine, everything was clear.

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IORR Links : Essential Studio Outtakes CDs : Audio - History of Rarest Outtakes : Audio

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gotdablouse
Right, if you're at a loud concert where people complain at the end and you're fine, it's probably too late to be worrying about it !

The loudest I've ever witnessed was definitely the Stones at the Trabendo, it was ridiculously loud. I saw Brad there too a year later and it was almost just as bad. Recently The Black Crowes at the Olympia was crazy loud too. I pulled out the dB meter on my phone (to get a general idea) and it showed 95dB which is the max allowed I think (they need to have a dB meter next to the desk). Everyone complained about the sound being too loud and instruments being buried in the mix as a result but with the Pacatos it was fine, everything was clear.

It is never "too late". It can always get worse. Until you're deaf...

I've always used off-the-shelves earplugs for around 20 to 50 Euros, tried several brands including Alpine Music Safe, Etymotic, Earasers but was never satisfied.

This year I finally had some custom made hearing protection done (Elacin is the brand of the filters I chose) and that was the best 200€ I've ever spend. It indeed just lowers the volume and you can enjoy the sound just as you do without earplugs.

I always hesitated ordering a custom made hearing protection since I always had doubt that they are not worth the high price. But now I can say they are definitely worth it and I would recommend them to anyone who likes to go to concerts.

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Spud
Weird isn't it that some unlucky folks suffer with bad ear damage and others largely don't after similar histories of exposure ?

It's different indeed between people but everyone will have some amount of ear damage after continued exposure to loud noise, the question is how much you notice it. A lot of people just don't notice it until it gets down to 8k where it affects the understanding of the human voice. Also genetics and factors like blood circulation do seem to play a part.