Ear Plugs

[dougal]

[quote]Alex, which filters did you go for?[/quote]

Just my 2p: I invested in a pair of ER25 from [url="http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/"]http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/[/url] - ended up going to a local opticians which had a hearing aid specialist that came in once a week.

After about a month I spent an extra £60 (ouch) on the 15db filters, which are interchangable, as I thought I'd use the 25s for loud gigs.

Never has my band / gig / whatever been so loud as to need to put the 25s back in.

The 25s made me feel a bit 'disconnected' (as previously discused) as they're quite occlusive, the 15s make everything clearer, quieter, and they're so comfy I often forget I'm wearing them, even when hot & sweaty.

If I lost them I would order another pair without a second thought... but only the 15's

[deksawyer]

In my continual search for a more open midrange, I've been through ER 20's (2 different brands) a set of Heros Pros and I've just bagged a set of Earsonic Earpad Universal earplugs. 16dB attenuation. The first thing I noticed is the 2 tier plug par for the canal is quite loose in the ear. I'll try them and see. Next on the cards if these are no good is the Alpine Musician Pro plugs.

I'm probably putting the inevitable off, by buying inferior disposable plugs when I could just stump up for custom moulds but I'm a cheap sake. Earsonic make custom moulds as well.

[url="http://www.earsonics.com/PAD%20standard%20engl.htm"]http://www.earsonics.com/PAD%20standard%20engl.htm[/url]

D.

[colin100]

I have been using ER 20 ear plugs for years and get on fine with them. Does anybody know if you can get ER 25 ear plugs that are £10 - £15 like the ER 20s? I once remember having a simlilar product that cut 25dbs but I dont seem to be able to find any to buy.

I dont have the money to get the custom ones unfortunatlely and feel that I would like to cut the volume down more than the ER 20s do.

Cheers

Colin

[steve]

Been using ER20's for a while now, and while it's stopped my tinnitus from getting worse, I do miss being able to hear everything properly. I'm very seriously considering getting the custom moulds done, but I'm unsure whether to go for 15's or 25's. I play in a loud rock band - we've started to mike up the kit and were going to DI the bass into the PA until I got my new rig (and might still for monitoring). Will 15's be enough? will 25s be too much? I could do without splashing out on both tbh.

[Gareth Hughes]

[quote name='steve' post='853321' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:43 AM']Will 15's be enough? will 25s be too much? I could do without splashing out on both tbh.[/quote]

I've been using custom molds with 15's for the last ten years. There's only been a few situations where I really wanted to have 25's. For the majority of gigs - 15's are more than an adequate whereas 25's would be overkill. One thing to remember (and I've only just learnt) is that your molds are only good for a couple of years as the silicone degrades and your ear canal changes shape over time. I thought the second point was baloney from an audiologist to get me to buy molds more often, but on getting my new ones back and comparing them to my old ones they look completely different.

[Toasted]

I've got the custom moulds with 25s and I wouldn't have said that they were overkill for my situation - but I do play in a loud rock band. I would recommend anyone to get the custom moulds over the "christmas tree" type. The sound quality is SO MUCH BETTER.

J.

[harvey1-8]

The 25s were fine for my loud rock band. For the quieter function band I play in I could probably get away with 15s, but I'd rather not get another set of filters and save the £60. I don't feel disconnected from the music with 25s anyway.

[Sibob]

Getting fitted for my ER's on Monday, quite excited!

I'm undecided between the 15's and 25's. My guitarist has the 15's and when he first got them he reckoned he couldn't hear anything.....but now loves them as he's got used to them. I'm thinking that the 25's might be a bit much. I enjoy gigs most when I have good tone, so don't want to completely isolate myself from the sound.

Si

[chris_b]

ACS recommends 15's as a general level of protection and 25's for the "metal drummer" end of the scale! I don't know which of us plays loudest but I've used 15's in some very loud situations and they have worked very well.

I can still hear band member’s comments on stage. I don't know if I'd be able to with 25's.

[warwickhunt]

Had my moulds done at 'Specsavers' (don't laugh) 3 weeks ago, so they should be with me for next week. I went for 15's in the end as I'm not playing as loud as I used to and at the end of the day 15db reduction is preferable to no reduction and damage to my my ears (I have been using a type of preformed plug for about 8 years any way).

[Sibob]

Yeah I've been using Doc Pro-Plugs since pretty much when I started playing!

Think I'll go for the 15's for sure!. I don't play on loud stages really, and I'm not a drummer!

Looking forward to it!
Si

[bassicinstinct]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='857979' date='Jun 5 2010, 09:38 AM']Had my moulds done at 'Specsavers' (don't laugh) 3 weeks ago, so they should be with me for next week. I went for 15's in the end as I'm not playing as loud as I used to and at the end of the day 15db reduction is preferable to no reduction and damage to my my ears (I have been using a type of preformed plug for about 8 years any way).[/quote]

Got mine from "Specsavers" too a couple of months ago and I'm loving them. Great fit and they really do the job.

Wish I'd done it years ago.

[Spudbean]

i hav the er15 & was just wondering if people hav difficulty with earing yr own voice ie the occlussion effect...i find it really off putting when having conversations..

.i sent back my original er's and got new impressions done because of this but even with my replacements which im considering sending back im still getting the occlussion effect...i thought the whole point of customs was to stop this and thats what mke them different to normal foam plugs or er20's...from reading the previous post people who hav them seem to think this his normal... ????

[Toasted]

I have it, but nowhere near as bad as with foam plugs.

[warwickhunt]

If anyone has the 'Specsavers' type earplugs with the inserted filters and needs a set of ER15 filters then I'll have a 'brand new' set for sale in the very near future. Basically, Specsavers messed me about with my plugs and have ordered a spare set of ER15 filters for me as compensation.

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='910960' date='Jul 31 2010, 09:38 AM']If anyone has the 'Specsavers' type earplugs with the inserted filters and needs a set of ER15 filters then I'll have a 'brand new' set for sale in the very near future. Basically, Specsavers messed me about with my plugs and have ordered a spare set of ER15 filters for me as compensation. [/quote]

In fact after protracted 'negotiations' I have ended up with a couple of sets if anyone is interested. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=99696"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=99696[/url]

I should say that Specsavers have tried their best to resolve the fact that I had a dodgy filter in my original set of plugs but it has taken months of hassling to get the appropriate filter in the appropriate colour; including a pair being delivered via registered, signed for post to an address as yet unidentified and signed for by a complete stranger (that one is down to the manufacturers and Royal Fail to sort out not me).

[nottswarwick]

Might be time to get these er15s sorted. Anyone recommend a supplier, and somewhere to get the moulds done in Nottingham?

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='nottswarwick' post='931626' date='Aug 21 2010, 08:33 AM']Might be time to get these er15s sorted. Anyone recommend a supplier, and somewhere to get the moulds done in Nottingham?[/quote]

I don't know Nottingham at all BUT I believe that Specsavers will have a branch near you and they will either have an audiologist on site or the branch will direct you to the nearest one. Even though I've had a bit of hassle with mine, Specsavers have tried their damnedest to resolve it and it's mainly been down to the supplier of the actual filters not getting it right. If you go ahead you could get a set of ER9's and buy my 15's as spares for those louder gigs... or get the 25's and the 15's for quieter gigs!

[Paul S]

I got mine done at Boots - a fraction cheaper than from Specsavers. Plus I also got one of Mr Hunt's spare ER15s. Much better - I can hear stuff now - 25s were too much.

[algmusic]

[quote name='Toasted' post='853461' date='Jun 1 2010, 11:55 AM']I've got the custom moulds with 25s and I wouldn't have said that they were overkill for my situation - but I do play in a loud rock band. I would recommend anyone to get the custom moulds over the "christmas tree" type. The sound quality is SO MUCH BETTER.

J.[/quote]


+1

I agree..

Over time, i think you're hearing gets better or.. you start to hear more or you start to notice more.. I like the 15's but lately the 25's seem to stay in more these days. Some rock I do would make your ears bleed :--). The pop stuff depends on the noise on the stage

[TimR]

I'll add some info here that I got from my guitarist friend who saw a tinnitus specialist last year. It's second hand so I hope it is as accurate as can be:

Your hearing slowly degrades over time. The hair follicles in your ears get worn. The brain is very clever and as the follicles get worn, it 'turns up' the amplification to compensate. This is why you don't notice it and why it is so dangerous. Eventually the follicles are so worn and it can't turn up the amplification any more and all you are left with is the hissing.

The problem is in a quiet environment you are left listening to the hissing/ringing, it becomes more noticeable and you focus on it and so it gets louder. You can learn to tune it out by not worrying about it, the brain will then 'turn down' the amplification, forget about trying to listen for it and the hissing/ringing will become less.

The more you worry over it the worse it will become.

It's a bit like living next to a train track or a busy road. When you first move in your brain recognises the trains/cars as a new and alien sound, after a while your brain learns that its just normal background noise and you don't hear it. Its still there but you don't hear it because you're not listening for it.

By playing other sounds you are not 'drowning out' the tinnitus, you are giving your brain something else to focus on.

Your hearing is the first sense to get dulled by Alcohol, your hearing is affected even well before your balance, both are centred around your ear follicles. Ever wondered why people shout when they are drunk? Another reason why drinking and playing is not a good idea.

[Mr. Foxen]

I shout when I'm drunk because when I'm drunk stuff I'm saying is very important for people to listen to.

[TimR]

A few pages of info here:

[url="http://www.deafnessresearch.org.uk/1925/about-tinnitus/what-is-tinnitus.html"]Tinnitus - Deafness Research Org.[/url]

[bassicinstinct]

[quote name='nottswarwick' post='931626' date='Aug 21 2010, 08:33 AM']Might be time to get these er15s sorted. Anyone recommend a supplier, and somewhere to get the moulds done in Nottingham?[/quote]

I had mine done at Specsavers in Beeston without incident.

[nottswarwick]

I'm getting mine done tomorrow actually via David omerod. They are in Boots in town.