AM1 Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 I'm after a bit of advice really - I know musicians with tinnitus and by all accounts it's hell. The damage doesn't manifest itself immediately either, it can accumulate over years. Being beside the drums AND a bass amp is loud...I want to avoid ear damage. My question - other than price, what is the difference between relatively cheap ear plugs and the more expensive ones? Regards AM Quote
harvey1-8 Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) You may find this discussion helps regarding the more expensive ear protection: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42721&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42721&hl=[/url] I used [url="http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=126"]ER20's[/url] for years and found them great, not sure how much they are now but they were around £15 a couple of years ago. I now use ER25's and they're also great. Alex. Here's the [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=533"]ear plug sticky[/url] Dood mentioned. Edited March 10, 2009 by alexharvay Quote
Dood Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 aahhh beat me to it! The ear Plugs sticky maybe long, but there is some really useful advice on it. I would very strongly recommend The Etymotic Research (otherwise known as ER) moulded custom ear protection. It's worth every penny. Quote
bass_ferret Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 Another recommendation for moulded plugs. They are the best for getting even attentuation across the frequency spectrum. Quote
EBS_freak Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='bass_ferret' post='429917' date='Mar 9 2009, 10:36 PM']Another recommendation for moulded plugs. They are the best for getting even attentuation across the frequency spectrum.[/quote] Agreed. Whilst waiting, get yourself some Doc's Proplugs (vented) - I found them to be a very good off the shelf alternative whilst waiting for the moulds. Quote
Andyalfa Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 +1 for ER20's. No ringing in the ears after practise. I stand between the PA and the drummer, so this is a first. I got mine from here, which at £7.39 was the cheapest place I found. [url="http://www.hearforlife.co.uk/product_detail.php?ppid=1&catId=1&cname=ER20%20hi-fidelity%20musicians%20earplugs"]Hearforlife.co.uk[/url] Quote
harvey1-8 Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='AM1' post='429838' date='Mar 9 2009, 09:15 PM']My question - other than price, what is the difference between relatively cheap ear plugs and the more expensive ones?[/quote] I think the main difference is the cheaper ones are aimed at protecting your ears more. Where as the more expensive (moulded) ones not only protect yours ears but don't cut anything out (I could be wrong). I think I've read that some people find the one-size-fits-all ear plugs a little uncomfortable during prolonged periods of use, I haven't found this an issue with my moulded ones after 5 or 6 hours of use. Quote
chris_b Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 [quote]....other than price, what is the difference between relatively cheap ear plugs and the more expensive ones?....[/quote] [quote name='alexharvay' post='430586' date='Mar 10 2009, 03:12 PM']....I think the main difference is the cheaper ones are aimed at protecting your ears more. Where as the more expensive (moulded) ones not only protect yours ears but don't cut anything out (I could be wrong)....[/quote] Cheap plugs make your ears fit around them, which can be uncomfortable, and will cut frequencies unequally. Usually the high end suffers and leaves you feeling like you are hearing "through cotton wool". The expensive plugs are fitted to your ear canal so they are more comfortable and are designed to cut frequencies evenly across the whole range. Quote
jimijimmi Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Try ACS for ear protecion.. they use filters to drop the volume to -26db...they dont take out any frequencies,so the sound doesnt change...just the volume.. i use these and absolutely wouldnt play without them... i have 20% hearing damage in my left ear,i dont want it to get any worse.... but any sort of protectors should be worn.. Quote
escholl Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 [quote name='Andyalfa' post='430328' date='Mar 10 2009, 12:05 PM']+1 for ER20's.[/quote] +2 obviously the molded ones are better, but it depends what you can afford. Quote
northstreet Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 I have used these as well [url="http://www.macksearplugs.com/hear-plugs-hi-fidelity-earplugs.htm"]http://www.macksearplugs.com/hear-plugs-hi...ty-earplugs.htm[/url]. They are very effective but can muffle the sound a bit too much - but our drummer swears by them. I prefer ER20s as they don't cut the high notes quite as much. Quote
AM1 Posted March 11, 2009 Author Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) Thanks to all for the great advice - I've gone for the ER20s for now. Having had ringing in my ears after the last few rehearsals, using ANY protection for now is better than nothing! EDIT - I also found out that an Ipod plays at the equivalent of 120db, which is loud enough to cause hearing damage long term. Lesson learned about cranking up the earphone volume! The problem is I LOVE loud music - why is it that everything that is good, is bad for you! Regards AM Edited March 11, 2009 by AM1 Quote
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