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Ear protection for concerts

I am going to see the Cowboy Junkies in a few weeks – can’t wait. Every time I see a concert my ears ring for days (and I’m sure I’m losing some hearing as well). I typically bring those cheap foam earplugs and tissue as a fall back. The earplugs sound terrible and I usually do not use them unless the volume is at “11”. I sometimes end up with tissue in my ears trying to tame the volume levels, the bad mix, and keep it listenable. Does anyone have any suggestions on audiophile or musicians earplugs at a reasonable price (nothing custom)?
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dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I use the cheap plugs, lightly inserted.

Dave
bojack
539 posts
 
IMO, one's hearing is too valuable not to invest in custom protection. Check out Westone plugs...they are affordable and well worth it. I own a pair due to hearing loss in my left ear and love them. BTW, they attenuate evenly and are comfortable. Way better than foam, etc.
jswarncke
66 posts
 
I seriously doubt that Cowboy Junkies are looking for "11". You should be okay without any protection. To answer your question, there are no cheap good solutions. The only real step up is $200 custom plugs through an audiologist. As a drummer I tried them for a time and took them to a few shows as an audience member based on the representation that they attenuate all frequencies the same. I found that they were better than foam in that respect, but still rolled off the high end unacceptably. I have pretty much stopped using them.
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
549 posts
 
The foam types are terrible for this purpose. The cheap solution is "musician" type earplugs, which theoretically decrease the total volume while preserving the relative balance of the sound spectrum. I keep pair in my car at all times. I got some at Musician's Friend on the web; I think Guitar Center may carry them in stores. Yes, they attenuate the highs, they do flatten the sound of cymbals a bit too much, but it is better than going deaf.
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