Ear Plugs for DJing - Hearing Protection

[Magoo]

Hi guys, long time reader but I don't think I have posted on here before.

Anyways I need some help with choosing earplugs for DJing, after a good google search, there are so many out there but I'm not sure what ones will suit my needs. Was playing a gig last night, about a 4 and a half hour set, and really have an annoying ringing in my ear now today. My google search led me here anyways after I saw the Its all gone Pete Tong article which was posted here about two years ago.

I need advice on what ones to go for. My requirements would be:

- I want to be able to wear them while i'm djing, something fairly discrete in my ear that doesn't stick out too much, but something that won't dull the sound too much that would result in me struggling to hear while beatmatching or listening to the crowd.

-I'm using Allen & Heath XD53's if that makes any difference also.

- Again, i'm not so well off at the moment, just after finishing up college. So fairly price sensitive so I know custom made protectors would be ideal but I can't afford them at the moment. But they are something i'll look into in the future once I can afford them.

Again, i'm fairly new to hearing protection, but after my gig last night i'm fairly worried about the problem, so would like to purchase some as soon as possible.

Anybody use these or have any experience with them http://www.djstore.com/item/earplugs/ELAER20S.htm

I know i'm somewhat of a "Newbie" on this site, so please don't flame me, i'd just like some advice from other peer's.

Has anybody got any recommendations for me please it would be very much appreciated!


Magoo.

[ChilledoutCharlie]

Hey man, not really had any experience in using ear protection. However this article may help you http://www.djtechtools.com/?s=tinnitus in addition this thread http://forum.djtechtools.com/showthr...light=tinnitus will probably help you. You certainly will not get flamed for asking a question about ear protection.

[DJQA]

What you linked should work Fine, but you might need to adjust to the slight change in frequency response. Better (and more expensive) options would be custom moulded earplugs, or good in-ear monitors. You're absolutely on the right track, hearing loss is a common and irreversible problem with club DJs.

[Magoo]

Luckily the ringing isn't as bad in my ear today, never the less I still want to address this problem to stop it from happeneing again.

@ ChilledoutCharlie - Thanks for the links, very helpful!

@ DJQA, thanks for the response, i'll keep looking out for other options. Hopefully someone might post up a link to some useful options!

Cheers lads, your help is very much appreciated.

[JamesT]

I have used these...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-Music...2974719&sr=8-1

in the past in both a DJ and a band situation (I play drums) and when I am going to be in really loud environments I always bring them with me.

I have to admit the high frequencies, above 6/7Khz, are attenuated quite heavily (on the strongest filter) but once I got use to this I actually preferred it as these are the frequencies that tend to damage your ears the most and give you the ringing sound.

They also didn't make beat matching hard at all, nor do they poke out of my ears very far (with a bit of modification). Also they are very cheap, which means if they aren't for you, then you can always try another set without getting too out of pocket!

[ksandvik]

I use custom musician's earplugs with A&H XD-40s, work really well. Costs a little bit but I assume you think your ears are worth more than $250. Do an internet search to find out who makes the molds close to your location.

[KS2]

What are the ones that you can mould yourself at home like?