Do you wear earplugs?

[Strider]

Curious to know ppl's thoughts. I've been mocked a number of times (usually by older muso's who've got no hearing left) and it's seems quite silly that ppl don't seem to wear them cos they don't look cool or something. What are your thoughts in using them in rehearsal and or on stage when gigging?

[Fritz]

I dont use them ever. I should.

It's stupid to not wear them, I am 23 and and have terrible hearing haha my mates always tease me about how deaf I am.

I just do not feel comfy with them, I want to be screwed in the head with volume when I play. When I've had plugs in I simply play like shit, I dont feel the band or the music - way too much is cut off.

I'm a very loud player, volume equals vibe!! (obviously in the right scinario) but yeah if I wanted to protect myself I'd ware plugs but im happy to not wear them. As I said, I should wear them but honestly I dont mind. I'd rather rock out while I'm still alive on this planet.

[Kacky]

My dad has a Ziploc bag full of earplugs from his work, I'm going to grab a handful for the next gigs I go to. I hate when I can't hear after.

[Fritz]

But thats the thing.... I'd rather hear the gig rather than your drunk friends on the ride home ;)

[Kacky]

I don't usually end up in a car full of drunks anyway. I like how you put that though.

[Fritz]

haha yeah you see where i'm coming from though ? But yeah I can see your more logical point too! hehe

[Strider]

I don't think earplugs kill the gig, they simply reduce the background noise and volume level so in theory u should hear yourself (and what you're playing) better if you've got your amp in the right spot. And lets face it, when you're playing alongside a bunch of other loud muso's all you're really hearing is everyone elses instrument in lieu of your own! Friggen frustrating I might add.

I've played with and without them on stage, and I don't think there's a huge difference in sound quality or enjoyment from playing.

[Fritz]

each to their own

[Neo]

I don't have any, but there are times when I am like. shit I could really do with some earplugs. but thats usually when the sound guy is a moron and turns all the highs up.

I have been thinking for a while now about getting some of those 'musician' earplugs, but I never get around to looking them up.

[Deadcat Kaye]

I try to wear earplugs to every gig, though last week for TLE i wore earplugs through The Silents and Children Collide (some of the way) then not at all for TLE haha...
The thing I find with cheap earplugs is that it totally takes out the raw rock sound.
In a few weeks I'm getting proper, expensive, but proper ear plugs made up.
So then all it does is turn the volume down a bit, nothing gets left out.

I think it'ld be really swell to still have my hearing when I'm 30
at the amount of gigs I go to, I'ld be half deaf by now without using earplugs.

[All_torn_down16]

I should definitely use them a lot more but I'm always scared that when I'm on stage I'll miss something important someone's saying to me e.g. if the form of a song changes and I don't know (and believe me that happens in bands at school, form changes, key changes etc.)

[r2jeeves]

I should use earplugs, because I'm studying to become a sound engineer/record producer.

But it always strays my mind to bring them to gigs, and I always kick myself cause some dumbass guitarist has deafened himself in rehearsals and has his trebles up way too high.

Doesn't happen too much with bigger bands, but it has happened with Iggy and the Stooges. It was so loud I had to block my ears.

I think its stupid for it to be 'uncool' to use them, just like its stupid that its 'uncool' to wear a helmet when you ride a bike. Those people can crack their head open and go deaf, but thats their choice.

/rant.

[damo0945]

I usually try to wear them at band practice... I play bass in the band so that works well for me, if I was to play guitar it might be different because they do cut out the treble a fair bit... actually i haven't had practice for ages so i forget what they sound like... i think I've kind gotten used to the sound of them

[Sammas II]

I have 3 sets of custom made earplugs. They reduce the volume equally across the frequency spectrum, as opposed to blocking out more high end and less low end.

[WHITE FALCON]

ı use them(cheaper ones) ın rehersal but never on gıgs
ı need to get ones that reduce volume on all frequencıes for gıgs!

[Strider]

I have 3 sets of custom made earplugs. They reduce the volume equally across the frequency spectrum, as opposed to blocking out more high end and less low end.

How much do the custom made ones cost? I just get the $25-30 reusable ones, and buy new ones every few months. I found the same thing with the sound, it cuts out all the volume equally but still maintains the same quality of sound.

[Aaron]

See my sig :cool:

[Strider]

See my sig :cool:

It's a great sig :)

[Sammas II]

How much do the custom made ones cost? I just get the $25-30 reusable ones, and buy new ones every few months. I found the same thing with the sound, it cuts out all the volume equally but still maintains the same quality of sound.


They're expensive, about £110 a pair... luckily I can claim them back at tax time. They come with swappable filters ranging from -10dB up to -40dB. Because they are moulded to your ear, you can wear them for 20+ hours at a time.

[Aaron]

I should point out that there's a link in my sig of relevance to the question :p. There was an old earplugs thread in which I actually looked into the prices of decent ones. That's what the link is to.

[Strider]

They're expensive, about £110 a pair... luckily I can claim them back at tax time. They come with swappable filters ranging from -10dB up to -40dB. Because they are moulded to your ear, you can wear them for 20+ hours at a time.

hmm, would you wear them for that long in your ears? That'd be incredibly prone to bacteria build up I would imagine. The ones i've got have swappable filters too, they seem pretty good, I don't find them uncomfortable whatsoever. The only issue I'd have with forking out that much money is the fact I'd have to replace them every few months, but if you can claim them back on tax you're laughing!

[Sammas II]

hmm, would you wear them for that long in your ears? That'd be incredibly prone to bacteria build up I would imagine. The ones i've got have swappable filters too, they seem pretty good, I don't find them uncomfortable whatsoever. The only issue I'd have with forking out that much money is the fact I'd have to replace them every few months, but if you can claim them back on tax you're laughing!


Yeah, I'd easily average 12+ hour days four times a week with them in. The longest I've worn them is probably 33 hours or so.

I can't comment on bacteria, but I've never had a problem. The earplug itself is soft moulded rubber which won't absorb bacteria. Other than that I just follow the guidelines about looking after them, cleaning them, etc.

[Strider]

Craziness! The only thing I heard (about earphones, earplugs), is that it can cause a buildup of bacteria in your ears cos there's no air circulation and such. I always make sure I take mine out every 30 mins or so for that very reason. Same with when I listen to music.

[Sammas II]

Craziness! The only thing I heard (about earphones, earplugs), is that it can cause a buildup of bacteria in your ears cos there's no air circulation and such. I always make sure I take mine out every 30 mins or so for that very reason. Same with when I listen to music.


argh, well that will be it. The filters in mine are a porous material which let air in and out.

[Strider]

Ahhh, well that explains it. I think I may end up having to get a pair of these custom earplugs! They sound awesome.