Ear Plugs/Protection

  • Thread starter Thread starter themaddog
  • Start date Start date
T

themaddog

Rockin' & Rollin'
There is a reason I'm posting this to the analog forumn. As far as I'm concerned, the analog people hear better than the digital people, which is one of the reasons they use analog equipment in the first place, which brings me to my question:

Is there an ear plug that anybody recommends as being the best, without changing the sound as much? I've been using Heros foam plugs, which reduce the noise a lot, but then I really can't hear clearly. So, when it's time for me to sing I have to take them out, or take them out if I want to really hear what's going on with my band. Does anyone have any suggestions for me, or maybe a location where I can very high quality ear plugs that don't change the sound?

Thanks for any and all suggestions. For the record, I have seen some ear plugs being sold as "digital" ear plugs. What makes them digital, I do not know, he he he.

-MD
 
I believe if you make use of a sound pressure meter, (got mine at Radio-Shack), and keep your monitoring levels around 85db, you can work for extended periods of time without damage to your hearing or suffer from ear fatigue.

Save those silly plugs for when you play live or hang out near the airport.

Cheers! :)
 
Ear Plugs

I was asking for regular band practice. I haven't really had so much problems with recording, just when all of us are playing together.

Thanks,
-MD
 
My apologies. :o

I missed the line where you said you needed them for playing live and not in the studio.

Cheers! :)
 
I use the Cabot E.A.R. plugs, and another brand of the same design. They don't give an exactly even attenuation across the spectrum, but they are a lot less muffled sounding than the foam plugs. I use them all the time, whether it's for my band or going to see a show. I love being the only one who isn't saying "What?" all night after a concert!

If you really want something serious, though, go to an audiologist and have him/her make you a custom-fit set of plugs. They're more expensive - somewhere around $200 - but they attenuate evenly and are made specifically for your ears.
 
Last edited:
I went in locally to get a fitted pair of plugs. They took a wax of my ear canal (after doing a few hearing tests) and made me some killer plugs.

The thing is I went without plugs as a musician and/or concert goer for many years before I stared to record. My ear doc now is great cuz they actually figure out hearing loss equilibrium much like an eye doctor would with vision.

I have some loss in my left ear (even tho it hasn't affected my mixes over the last 10 years) but with the "corrective" plugs I can insure that I'm not going to lose the natural performance or my hearing.

But be aware it's NOT CHEAP. It did cost me close to $300.... but it's well worth it. So much better than an over-the-counter/over-the-bar purchase.

I have fellow engineers that go to shows and/or practice with flight ground crew headphones on so we're all just a little eccentric in our own way :)

-- Adam Lazlo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top