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[the scotsman]

Hey.

My name is Billy and i'm a musician that suffers from Tinitus. I've been using the crappiest foam ear plugs for the last year or so and my Tinitus has gradually got worse. Before i invest in expensive ear plugs, i need to know which ones are the right selction for me. I play in a progressive rock band that reaches silly Db levels. Also when we play gigs the monitoring is usually unbelievabely loud at points which is causing damage. I will be investing in PROFESSIONAL ear plugs due to this adversary called Tinitus, but i would like to know which ones are the best i.e which ear plugs will alow me to actaully hear my band, and at a really safe Db level? Also, i do know that profesional plugs are expensive, so feel free to suggest those ones too, as money is nothing compared to a life of constant high freguency ringing bells in my head.

I appreciate your time on this important matter of mine.

Kind Regards

Billy Balmer

[RossP]

Blue tack, the ear plugs of kings.

[David B]

In my mid 30's I found that the high pitch of the hi-hats and cymbals was hurting my ears and giving me headaches.

I now use foam ear plugs from Boots.

Have used them for the past few years and have no problems.

It did take a few weeks to get used to it but was well worth it.

Cheapskate - moi?

[Frosty Jack]

Don't Lose The Music: Home

Musicians Earplugs | Sensorcom

[David]

The best for the money would be these - Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER•20 High Fidelity Earplugs
I got them for £10 online somewhere (can't remember where though, I thought it was stringsdirect, but I can't seem to find them on the site) and give a pretty flat response while cutting down the volume

The step up from that would be the custom moulded ones, of which Etymotic do (Not sure who else does them, I have only really seen these ones) the main differences between these and the ER20's is that they are custom fitted to your ears, so are more comfortable to wear, and you get a few different levels of filters instead of a set 20dB cut (9, 15 or 25 dB of cut)
These will cost you, around £150 when I had a quick look a while ago, though you might find them cheaper, those need a mould taken of your ears (which can be done in places that fit hearing aids and the like normally) which gets sent off and made into the earplugs

David

[the scotsman]

thanks for your help so far peeps!

[GraemeC]

Ety-plugs

Specialist Audio Solutions from Enhanced Hearing :: Hearing Protection

[Alan Cynic]

Do NOT use chewed-up beer mats. I found this out to my cost a few years ago.

[HairyScaryMark]

I have used quite a number of things. Do not buy expensive ear plugs without trying all the inexpensive alternatives first.

I have been using foam ear plugs for a number of years and they sound good enough, for someone who lives on a house situated in a black hole (everything goes missing). Sound is altered in a negative way but I can live with it for band practice. Nobody sees them also due to hair. Being in a progressive rock band you should have enough hair to cover earplugs also. I got 10 or 20 (Can't remember which) for £1.99 per pack from B&Q

Wax ear plugs offer a more accurate reproduction of sound. They however will stick to your hair (or anything else). Wax ear plugs are over-all preferable but are stocked in less places.

I invested in a pair of fitted ear plugs a few years a go. It was a mistake as I foolishly managed to lose one of them after the first band practice I had with them.

Bruce millers do rubber/plastic ear plugs for around £12 a pair. Never tried them, drummer uses them and says they are good.

Also, never let drummers near your kitchen table while they are in the process of removing their ear plugs. My drummer decided to leave his ear plugs on the kitchen table. Yuck

Might concider trying the one's in Soundian's link.

[Spoonie]

i use docs proplugs and have done for several years when jamming/playing/going to gigs/going to clubs and they've done me well. about £12 a pair.

/x