On doing a search on the forum i cant find any threads dedicated to earplugs and as much as you young 'ens might call me old for saying this you should use them.
I have tinitus now after years of clubbing and not thinking too much about it whilst growing up but damn i wish i had now!
Anyway i don’t want to give up clubbing any time soon so am looking at investing in a pair now to save me damaging my hearing anymore.
So who has information on Earplugs worth looking at for clubbers and DJ’s a like.
Well, I personally have a problem with earplugs consistently falling out of my ears, or only reducing the bass sounds, and not the mids and highs (which gets really painful for me). It really is a try and find out thing, I guess. But the ones from the ear doctors will definitely fit and they will almost definitely work
I did try a pair of standard workers ones last time i went out which did a great job and i came home without bad temporary ringing like normal!
they were similar to these, but bright yellow … made you look like some sort of alian with yellow things stickin out your ears!
The great thing about them was you could use the 3 different size notchjes as different levels of sound blocking. The first level just cuts the harsh highs and the kast bigger level cuts out quite a bit of sound like a total block.
I’m after something a bit more discreet though … maybe i’ll check out how much thesemade to measure ones are.
I use ear plugs when i DJ with bands (which is a lot). I just give my ears a rest whilst the bands are on.
I get the hard foam ones from Boots. I dont put them IN my ear in the normal way i lodge them in side ways. This way the prevent a lot of the noise but they dont slip out and i can have a conversation.
I use the Alpine ones, comfy and dont notice they are there really, have to pop one out now and then to double check the levels etc, but i get on well with them
I have heard good things about the Etymotic vented musician plugs:
Cheap, flat response, voices remain audible. They also do custom fit attenuators that go for around $150 a pair, but require a visit to your local Audiologist to get your ears cast. Get those and you get to choose between 9dB, 15dB or 25dB of flat attenuation.
I’ve got some of the etymotic ones, cost quite a bit but are very comfortable and attenuate all the frequencys pretty evenly. Been out clubbing with them and they were fantastic! http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx
I’ve used the er-20’s as well (which only cost around £10-20) and they are pretty good too if your budget wont stretch to the er-15’s. Not as comfy and make the sound a bit duller but still LOADS better then any rubbish foam ones!
I have tried the ER-20’s lost a pair, replaced them with Hearos High Fidelity (really similar but you can get the Hearos at Guitar Center for $15), gave the High Fidelity’s to a friend who had an ear infection, and used my back up Hearos Rock n’ Rolls that reduce the sound further. I lost those and yesterday night at the Crystal Method I used regular foam plugs. I really dislike going to clubs without ear plugs, but I keep fucking loosing them so I am a hesitant to get some custom plugs. The good news for me is I am 22 and have been wearing plugs for most of my club life (after watching It’s all Gone Pete Tong). If you have a guitar center near you and loose plugs as often as I do the Hearos are nice.
I think once you get custom ones you’re just not inclined to lose them. Mine stay in their hard case in my purse at all times, i put them in when i’m at the club and then take them out and put them BACK into the case.
The difference of custom plugs is ASTOUNDING. Getting a -25db cut in volume, plus a flat attenuation of the levels, oh man it’s just epic.
<3 my earplugs.
(also, i’m not suggesting you get a purse. just drop the plugs’ hard case in your DJ bag or something so they’re always with you when you’re at the club.)
I have Etymotics and I love them. I keep them in the case they came in when not in use, and I keep the case usually in my main jacket so I always have them on me. I seriously love them.
i never used any other concert-earplugs but they sound good. for superloud festivals theyre great. for the club theyre okay. they dont come close to a linear cut, but they fit in most peoples ears real good, dont fall out even in heavy moshing action (survived several wall of deaths with them in ) and are cheap. i know alot of people that use those and they’re happy.
when i got some spare money i will get some professional ones though because as a dj you really dont wanna have an unlinear cut on EQs.
how much dB cut would you guys consider optimal? i really like loud music but some clubs are so loud it hurts. 25dB sounds way way to much. if a club is 25dB too loud you should sue them lol.
i have a pair i bought at guitar center for about 5 bucks. 26dB attenuation, good fit, fairly level freq cut. they fit my ears really well which is hard because my left ear is much smaller then my right.
Launch: If a sound is 85db or louder, it can cause hearing loss. The average club has volumes ranging from 90-100db. The Average DJ booth has volumes ranging from 105-115db.
You’re absolutely in hearing loss territory! Cutting all that by 25db, is quite good. In an ideal situation (club @ 90 and booth @ 105 the 25db cut gets you at 80db just below hearing loss territory.)
The 25db cut is ideal for anyone that has to spend extended periods of time in HIGH volume environments. If all you’re doing is clubbin’, 25db might be excessive, but once you step into that booth regularly, the 25db cut becomes important (this is why most IEMs are 25db cuts.)
) and are cheap. i know alot of people that use those and they’re happy.