Earplugs

[NotATrumpet]

I'm sat in front of a wall of loud trumpets twice a week so can I please have recommendations for good earplugs or any other ways of keeping my hearing intact? I'd be particularly interested in earplugs that will be a good fit in small ear canals.

[CalgaryTbone]

There is nothing better than the custom fit versions - particularly if you feel that you have trouble using over the counter plugs. You might luck out and health insurance could cover the cost. I know that mine were covered by employer insurance, but it made sense for the insurance to pay for preventative care that might avoid larger costs later.

Some of the plugs have a small part that you can exchange to allow more or less sound through. I've found that I prefer to just take the top levels of decibels off from what I'm hearing. I can still hear the section, although not in quite the same way as without the earplugs, and often, I can hear myself better in loud environments, so I can stay on top of pitch and time.

No matter what, I would strongly suggest that you follow your instincts and address this ASAP. I have been using custom earplugs for especially loud circumstances for years, and it's been a lifesaver. I only regret not starting using them earlier, since I know that I have some small hearing loss now, and some of my colleagues as they were getting to retirement age definitely had even more noticeable issues. It's worth the costs involved.

Jim Scott

[Burgerbob]

Ety plugs are a good cheap choice.

[NotATrumpet]

There is nothing better than the custom fit versions - particularly if you feel that you have trouble using over the counter plugs. You might luck out and health insurance could cover the cost. I know that mine were covered by employer insurance, but it made sense for the insurance to pay for preventative care that might avoid larger costs later.

Some of the plugs have a small part that you can exchange to allow more or less sound through. I've found that I prefer to just take the top levels of decibels off from what I'm hearing. I can still hear the section, although not in quite the same way as without the earplugs, and often, I can hear myself better in loud environments, so I can stay on top of pitch and time.

No matter what, I would strongly suggest that you follow your instincts and address this ASAP. I have been using custom earplugs for especially loud circumstances for years, and it's been a lifesaver. I only regret not starting using them earlier, since I know that I have some small hearing loss now, and some of my colleagues as they were getting to retirement age definitely had even more noticeable issues. It's worth the costs involved.

Jim Scott

Thanks for your reply.

[NotATrumpet]

Ety plugs are a good cheap choice.

Thanks. I'll look into them.

[Kbiggs]

I am currently using Earasers: https://www.earasers.net/collections/mu ... i-earplugs

They allow for pressure equalization so you don’t get that stuffed-up feeling. With age and increasing tinnitus, however, it’s only a matter of time before I get something custom molded.

[toxdoc42]

I have been using Vibes high fidelity ear plugs for 3 years now, they fit nicely and don't seem to interfere too much with my playing. At age 83, i just went for a fitting for hearing aids and asked the specialist about whether to wear the aids when playing or what. I said I generally wear the vibes and she encouraged me to continue doing that.

They are on sale at Amazon, i actually just ordered another pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WPOQSG?re ... tle_1&th=1

[NotATrumpet]

I am currently using Earasers: https://www.earasers.net/collections/mu ... i-earplugs

They allow for pressure equalization so you don’t get that stuffed-up feeling. With age and increasing tinnitus, however, it’s only a matter of time before I get something custom molded.

Thanks for your reply. Sounds interesting.

[NotATrumpet]

I have been using Vibes high fidelity ear plugs for 3 years now, they fit nicely and don't seem to interfere too much with my playing. At age 83, i just went for a fitting for hearing aids and asked the specialist about whether to wear the aids when playing or what. I said I generally wear the vibes and she encouraged me to continue doing that.

They are on sale at Amazon, i actually just ordered another pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WPOQSG?re ... tle_1&th=1

Thanks. Lots to choose from now.

[AndrewMeronek]

Ety plugs are a good cheap choice.

I use Surefire brand, and recommend them as another good cheap choice. They come in different size options, so even for people with different-sized ear canals between right and left, a bit of experimentation should get you dialed in fairly quickly.

Honestly, I haven't noticed much of an improvement with custom ear plugs beyond wearing these properly. I'd say the next real step-up in quality would be noise-cancelling in-ear monitors.

[tbonesullivan]

Ety are good. I have the custom fit ones, and they work well too. I have 7db and 15 db filters for them. Problem is always going to be getting used to playing with them in, as how you hear yourself completely changes. You often end up hearing more of yourself through conduction than through your ears.

[NotATrumpet]

Ety plugs are a good cheap choice.

I use Surefire brand, and recommend them as another good cheap choice. They come in different size options, so even for people with different-sized ear canals between right and left, a bit of experimentation should get you dialed in fairly quickly.

Honestly, I haven't noticed much of an improvement with custom ear plugs beyond wearing these properly. I'd say the next real step-up in quality would be noise-cancelling in-ear monitors.

Thanks for your suggestion.

[NotATrumpet]

Ety are good. I have the custom fit ones, and they work well too. I have 7db and 15 db filters for them. Problem is always going to be getting used to playing with them in, as how you hear yourself completely changes. You often end up hearing more of yourself through conduction than through your ears.

Thanks for your reply. I am concerned about how they will effect my playing.

[sf105]

Ety are good. I have the custom fit ones, and they work well too. I have 7db and 15 db filters for them. Problem is always going to be getting used to playing with them in, as how you hear yourself completely changes. You often end up hearing more of yourself through conduction than through your ears.

Thanks for your reply. I am concerned about how they will effect my playing.

In some respects my individual playing improves with plugs in as I can hear my tuning more clearly, obviously it's much worse for playing with the rest of the section.

One data point, I recently did a concert where I'd forgotten my usual plugs. I did, however, have my noise cancelling over-ear headphones with me, so I used those. It was suprisingly effective, although it looked odd. I'm seeing more ear defenders in pit orchestras after a viola player succesfully sues the Royal Opera for destroying his hearing.

In UK military bands, I'm told it's now a disciplinary offence not to wear earplugs when performing.

[NotATrumpet]

Thanks for your reply. I am concerned about how they will effect my playing.

In some respects my individual playing improves with plugs in as I can hear my tuning more clearly, obviously it's much worse for playing with the rest of the section.

One data point, I recently did a concert where I'd forgotten my usual plugs. I did, however, have my noise cancelling over-ear headphones with me, so I used those. It was suprisingly effective, although it looked odd. I'm seeing more ear defenders in pit orchestras after a viola player succesfully sues the Royal Opera for destroying his hearing.

In UK military bands, I'm told it's now a disciplinary offence not to wear earplugs when performing.

Interesting. Thanks.

[Cmillar]

I like the 'Earasers' as well.

Another good option are the 'Sennheiser SoundProtex Plus'.

https://us.sennheiser-hearing.com/colle ... rotex-plus

They cost a bit more (99), but you get 3 different filtering choices depending on your sound situation. Great for loud gigs or for wearing in the car, bus, loud restaurants, etc. as well.

[NotATrumpet]

I like the 'Earasers' as well.

Another good option are the 'Sennheiser SoundProtex Plus'.

https://us.sennheiser-hearing.com/colle ... rotex-plus

They cost a bit more (99), but you get 3 different filtering choices depending on your sound situation. Great for loud gigs or for wearing in the car, bus, loud restaurants, etc. as well.

Thanks.

[bassclef]

I also suffer from tiny ear canal openings. Because of this, the search for IEMs was particularly tough. There's literally nothing on the market with nozzle diameters under 6mm that I could find for less than $600. Chose a set of Shure SE535.

Anyway - back to earplugs. Another vote from me for the Earasers. I tried A LOT of the non-custom options and liked these the best both for sound and fit. I find the size small to be very comfortable and they are quite good as far as having minimal occlusion effect. The biggest adjustment to make, for me, was that whether you're playing pianissimo or fortissimo - it all sounds like mezzo forte in your ears. Pretty easy to overcome once you get used to them though.

[NotATrumpet]

I also suffer from tiny ear canal openings. Because of this, the search for IEMs was particularly tough. There's literally nothing on the market with nozzle diameters under 6mm that I could find for less than $600. Chose a set of Shure SE535.

Anyway - back to earplugs. Another vote from me for the Earasers. I tried A LOT of the non-custom options and liked these the best both for sound and fit. I find the size small to be very comfortable and they are quite good as far as having minimal occlusion effect. The biggest adjustment to make, for me, was that whether you're playing pianissimo or fortissimo - it all sounds like mezzo forte in your ears. Pretty easy to overcome once you get used to them though.

Thanks. Having smaller ear canals has made it difficult . I can't use any standard earbuds.

[BigBadandBass]

Another recommendation for Etynomics, they’re cheap enough that have some in case, my car, my keys, my suit….. you get the point. In a pinch i’ve used my Airpods pros, they work surprisingly well, like, really well

[NotATrumpet]

Another recommendation for Etynomics, they’re cheap enough that have some in case, my car, my keys, my suit….. you get the point. In a pinch i’ve used my Airpods pros, they work surprisingly well, like, really well

Thanks. I've just looked on the Apple site but there's no mention of sizes or fitting. I need something for small ear canals. The Etynomics look promising.

[heldenbone]

My earplug journey started with a 1-nighter in Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. The foam plugs were so inadequate (we were on stage in front of the instrument amplification) my ears were ringing much of the next day. I made an appt with an audiologist soon after. He made casts of my ear canals and sent them off to Etymotic for fabrication. The resulting plugs were comfortable and protective, and could be equipped with filters for 9dB, 15dB, or 25dB attenuation. Likely through some combination of convenience and patent encumbrance, many other brands of protective plugs accomodate Etymotic filter inserts. I have had that set for 25+ years.

For the last several years, I have been using Etymotic's MusicPro Elite electronic plugs, with good results. These have the benefit of modulating their attenuation with the ambient sound level. Under normal circumstances, they sound mostly transparent, allowing conversation without raising your voice. As things get louder, they start cutting the perceived volume to protect hearing. They can react quickly enough to catch a rimshot or triangle in close proximity, so they are pretty great in an orchestra pit.

The 3-tier tips, supplied in 3 sizes, are only adequate. The memory foam tips are better for both comfort and isolation. I recently tried a 3rd-party brand foam tip from "Comply" that is better yet for isolation, and for comfort/insertion ease. The MusicPro plugs are my preferred tool - the molded plugs live in my bag for those times when I forgot to bring anything else.

[Burgerbob]

There are several people at work using the electronic plugs these days.

[NotATrumpet]

There are several people at work using the electronic plugs these days.

That’s interesting . I’ve not heard of those. Are you able to give any information about them ?

[Burgerbob]

See above in Helden's post. I'm not sure they are using the Etymotic brand, I'll have to ask.

[NotATrumpet]

See above in Helden's post. I'm not sure they are using the Etymotic brand, I'll have to ask.

I did read that post and then forgot it. Duh ! Thanks

[NotATrumpet]

My earplug journey started with a 1-nighter in Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. The foam plugs were so inadequate (we were on stage in front of the instrument amplification) my ears were ringing much of the next day. I made an appt with an audiologist soon after. He made casts of my ear canals and sent them off to Etymotic for fabrication. The resulting plugs were comfortable and protective, and could be equipped with filters for 9dB, 15dB, or 25dB attenuation. Likely through some combination of convenience and patent encumbrance, many other brands of protective plugs accomodate Etymotic filter inserts. I have had that set for 25+ years.

For the last several years, I have been using Etymotic's MusicPro Elite electronic plugs, with good results. These have the benefit of modulating their attenuation with the ambient sound level. Under normal circumstances, they sound mostly transparent, allowing conversation without raising your voice. As things get louder, they start cutting the perceived volume to protect hearing. They can react quickly enough to catch a rimshot or triangle in close proximity, so they are pretty great in an orchestra pit.

The 3-tier tips, supplied in 3 sizes, are only adequate. The memory foam tips are better for both comfort and isolation. I recently tried a 3rd-party brand foam tip from "Comply" that is better yet for isolation, and for comfort/insertion ease. The MusicPro plugs are my preferred tool - the molded plugs live in my bag for those times when I forgot to bring anything else.

Very interested to read about the electronic ear plugs. Thanks .

[NotATrumpet]

My earplug journey started with a 1-nighter in Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. The foam plugs were so inadequate (we were on stage in front of the instrument amplification) my ears were ringing much of the next day. I made an appt with an audiologist soon after. He made casts of my ear canals and sent them off to Etymotic for fabrication. The resulting plugs were comfortable and protective, and could be equipped with filters for 9dB, 15dB, or 25dB attenuation. Likely through some combination of convenience and patent encumbrance, many other brands of protective plugs accomodate Etymotic filter inserts. I have had that set for 25+ years.

For the last several years, I have been using Etymotic's MusicPro Elite electronic plugs, with good results. These have the benefit of modulating their attenuation with the ambient sound level. Under normal circumstances, they sound mostly transparent, allowing conversation without raising your voice. As things get louder, they start cutting the perceived volume to protect hearing. They can react quickly enough to catch a rimshot or triangle in close proximity, so they are pretty great in an orchestra pit.

The 3-tier tips, supplied in 3 sizes, are only adequate. The memory foam tips are better for both comfort and isolation. I recently tried a 3rd-party brand foam tip from "Comply" that is better yet for isolation, and for comfort/insertion ease. The MusicPro plugs are my preferred tool - the molded plugs live in my bag for those times when I forgot to bring anything else.

Very interested to read about the electronic ear plugs. Thanks .

[Burgerbob]

Yes, several people at work are using these:

https://etymotic.com/product/music-pro-elite/

I might consider them myself. Obviously pretty spendy.

[WGWTR180]

Wow those etymotic "plugs" look very interesting. Expensive? Yes. We should all carry some type of plug to be used when unexpected situations arise. I worked in a very loud environment for almost 21 years and I wish I'd used something, anything, earlier. I have custom fitted plugs but they are at the end of their usefulness.

[muschem]

I've tried some custom plugs with interchangeable (non-electronic) Etymotic filters. I haven't spent enough time to get comfortable playing with them, but my initial impression was that the attenuation was great when the volume floor was high, and it became challenging to hear myself and others around me in softer passages. That's just the nature of the beast, I suppose.

Those electronic versions look very interesting, because they provide pass-through audio without attenuation (or even some gain for low volume, depending on the setting), and only begin attenuation once the volume increases past the 90db threshold. That sounds much more usable to me compared to the non-electronic filters. My only hesitation was the universal fit (narrow ear canals tend to make those uncomfortable), but it looks like Sensaphonics offers custom sleeves compatible with the Music Pro series: https://www.sensaphonics.com/products/e ... s-earplugs. I just put in an order for the plugs and sleeves.

[HornboneandVocals]

I like those loop earplugs with the db slider, they're expensive but my wife bought me a pair for my birthday last year and they've been a lifesaver - Now I just wish I could remember to bring them to every rehearsal!

[NotATrumpet]

Thanks for all your responses .