acs pro earplug not working?

[skidder652003]

Ive noticed probably since day 1 that when I put these in (well only one actually as Im 100% deaf in my left ear), a real reduction in clarity with the band to the point where I cannot literally hear the guitarist at all, and we're a seriously loud 3 piece rock band. Its so bad that I don't use it at all and Im worried about damage to my only remaining one good ear.

Is this normal? Im wondering if the filter is defective? Ive ordered another one (at a slightly lower DB reduction range) but Im curious if anyone else has had a similar experience or should they sound exactly the same as without a filter albeit at a reduced volume (as per the sales pitch)?

Edited May 27, 2016 by skidder652003

[chris_b]

Are these the moulded plugs?

Did you get a pair?

Swap to the other filter?

[skidder652003]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1464331155' post='3058437']
Are these the moulded plugs?

Did you get a pair?

Swap to the other filter?
[/quote]
yes they're the moulded ones (cost quite a lot as I remember), but only got the one as Im completely deaf in my left ear (unavoidable as the result of an operation) so unable to swap filters.

Edited May 27, 2016 by skidder652003

[FinnDave]

I have ACS pro plugs and had a little trouble with fit when I first got them. I live about 30 miles or so from ACS so took them back and the boss of the company carefully adjusted them to fit, and I have used them every time I have played with the band (and when I ride my bike) for the last two and half years. They do have very good customer care, I'd get on the phone to them.

[Simon.]

I've had ACS pro plugs for years (best piece of music kit I ever invested in), and have never had any issues with them. As a result I went with ACS for my in-ears and although they are great as well, I did have a few issues to start with. Like FinnDave, I found their customer service to be excellent. Give them a call and I would expect them to be very helpful.

[SubsonicSimpleton]

When you use your plug, are you putting it in your ear before things get noisy?

The hearing specialist I went to when I got my moulds taken had me come back when the plugs arrived, and fit the plugs in his office and just sit and talk with him for 10 mins or so, which wasn't a problem (I have the 29db filters). His advice with regard to rehearsal/gigs was to fit the plugs before things get noisy, to give my ears and brain a chance to adjust, and avoid issues with temporary threshold shift(your ears reduce their sensitivity when exposed to loud noises and don't immediately return to normal).

[phil.c60]

I found that I needed a lower cut than I ordered: they simply swapped them for me in 48hrs including posting. I also thought their customer service was great. Because the filters are removable you could simply order some lower dB cut ones (ore one, in your case!) and try that. Also how old are they? Make sure the canals in the moulds aren't blocked with.....ear wax! You can pop the filter out, clean out the canal through the mould and then rinse and dry them and refit the insert. DONT get the insert wet (as it says in the instructions).

[essexbasscat]

To the OP; have you had your hearing tested ?

Here's why I ask. I bought some ACS ER17's and with them in, I discovered I had real trouble hearing vocal parts, including my own. I would take the earplugs out in order to be able to hear the vocals for harmonies. As a result, I heard the harmonies and I now have tinnitus (what a surprise). It drove me up the wall, as it appeared to be a lose /lose situation.

I started threads on here about monitors, earplugs, all kinds of things to get to the bottom of the issue, all to no avail. Almost in desperation, I went to an audiologist to get their opinion.
Both ears were blocked with wax, one around 80%, the other even more. A lot of the wax had been rammed in deep by the earplugs . The wax was microsuctioned out, a great job (but that also has a risk of making tinnitus worse)

Then came the hearing test. Turns out I've lost the ability to hear the higher frequencies. This meant the higher frequencies were (in my perception), quieter than their cousins in the lower frequency ranges (where the mids live). The earplugs were reducing the higher frequencies to the point my impaired hearing couldn't detect them.

Solution ?

The audiologist made me a pair of moulded earplugs with 9db of overall attenuation (i.e. ER9's) and I can now hear vocals with plugs in - hooray !!!!!!!!! (do the dance + have a beer)

Strange thing is, now I've got used to the 9's, I'm able to detect more of the higher frequencies with the ER17's in. Maybe me ears are acclimatising ?

Good luck OP, I hope you get it sorted

[chris_b]

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1464329751' post='3058423']
I cannot literally hear the guitarist at all, and we're a seriously loud 3 piece rock band.
[/quote]

I hear a lot of bass when I play with my plugs in, and my cabs are at about waist level. Do you have cabs higher up? maybe up around your head? Maybe you can't hear the guitarist because you're too loud and drowning him out or maybe you're both in the same sonic space.

[skidder652003]

[quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1464377843' post='3059071']
To the OP; have you had your hearing tested ?

Here's why I ask. I bought some ACS ER17's and with them in, I discovered I had real trouble hearing vocal parts, including my own. I would take the earplugs out in order to be able to hear the vocals for harmonies. As a result, I heard the harmonies and I now have tinnitus (what a surprise). It drove me up the wall, as it appeared to be a lose /lose situation.

I started threads on here about monitors, earplugs, all kinds of things to get to the bottom of the issue, all to no avail. Almost in desperation, I went to an audiologist to get their opinion.
Both ears were blocked with wax, one around 80%, the other even more. A lot of the wax had been rammed in deep by the earplugs . The wax was microsuctioned out, a great job (but that also has a risk of making tinnitus worse)

Then came the hearing test. Turns out I've lost the ability to hear the higher frequencies. This meant the higher frequencies were (in my perception), quieter than their cousins in the lower frequency ranges (where the mids live). The earplugs were reducing the higher frequencies to the point my impaired hearing couldn't detect them.

Solution ?

The audiologist made me a pair of moulded earplugs with 9db of overall attenuation (i.e. ER9's) and I can now hear vocals with plugs in - hooray !!!!!!!!! (do the dance + have a beer)

Strange thing is, now I've got used to the 9's, I'm able to detect more of the higher frequencies with the ER17's in. Maybe me ears are acclimatising ?

Good luck OP, I hope you get it sorted
[/quote]
Thanks for the advice. Ive had extensive hearing tests since my op 5 years ago and wear a hearing aid when out in the pub etc. I also have higher frequency loss hence why I probably struggle with the acs plugs. Ive ordered the 10db filters to swap for the 17db ones i have now and we shall see (or hear) how these work. Also the previous advice about putting them in from the start of rehersal rather than when it starts to get too much half way through is great advice, many thanks guys!

[dand666]

Let me know how you get on with the 10's. I have some molded 17's and I just can't get used to them.