Accessories Ear plugs recommendation please

[turf3]

Took a closer look, I see they give a 35dB noise reduction.
That's way too much for this purpose (IMHO). The filters we (me and my wife) use in our ear plugs are something like 15 dB noise reduction (35 dB is a HUGE difference).
I would not use them for listening to music, let alone for playing music.

But then again, I don't have tinnitus, YMMV
I would recommend custom made earplugs with interchangeable filters. My wife has those, and she is very pleased with them. Several experts have told us that you need something that can adapt to the shape of your ear canal. If there is a small gap, you will get the impression that the volume is reduced, but you could still get damage to your ears. It might just be a clever sales trick, but it somehow makes sense to me.

Actual experience trumps spec sheets. I have used foam industrial ear plugs for playing music for nigh on to 30 years. Once you adapt to how things sound different, there is no issue.

 

[Mix O Lydian]

I use these Earasers at -19dB in a 60-piece saxophone orchestra. They turn the volume down but I can still hear instructions from the conductor. Music Earplugs | Earasers

Yes I just bought these to try them out! Sounds promising.

 

[SaxOfSteel]

I also have the Alpine Pros and agree that they are fiddly. I attached the lanyard to then the other day, so I'm hoping that helps a bit the next time I use them. At least I won't fear them hitting the floor.

I don't particularly like playing with them in, but the alternative is hearing the trumpet who is immediately behind me totally unfiltered. With them in, I'm relying on feel to judge my volume level since I cannot hear where I am relative to the rest of the community band. I may see about moving to the back row at my next rehearsal instead of having to wear hearing protection.

I'll be interested to hear about the alternatives that others suggest.

-J

 

[Pete Effamy]

I wonder to what extent that making music with acoustic instruments causing hearing loss is unavoidable.

I’d like to hear from anyone who has always done amplified gigs with in-ears (youngsters ? Though not old enough to suffer).

I heard a few years back that ear plugs were being used in the teaching of saxophone (let alone drums etc). Not sure if that was for students too. If so, whilst it seems odd to argue against ear protection it also strikes me that instruments aren’t being properly experienced.

Again, I’m not advocating that gigs where an on-stage level is 115db (yep, been there and done it - you can’t discern pitch, it’s just too loud), it’s not even a buzz, it’s awful. But I couldn’t imagine using ear plugs in an orchestra or big band.

 

[turf3]

I wonder to what extent that making music with acoustic instruments causing hearing loss is unavoidable.

I’d like to hear from anyone who has always done amplified gigs with in-ears (youngsters ? Though not old enough to suffer).

I heard a few years back that ear plugs were being used in the teaching of saxophone (let alone drums etc). Not sure if that was for students too. If so, whilst it seems odd to argue against ear protection it also strikes me that instruments aren’t being properly experienced.

Again, I’m not advocating that gigs where an on-stage level is 115db (yep, been there and done it - you can’t discern pitch, it’s just too loud), it’s not even a buzz, it’s awful. But I couldn’t imagine using ear plugs in an orchestra or big band.

I certainly have used ear plugs in big bands. More for rehearsals than performances, as many bands have to rehearse in small live spaces. (And there are far too many people who refuse to play softly.) But occasionally for performances as well. Especially when you get the idiot sound man who thinks he needs to mike up every single horn for the 40 elderly people at the VFW hall. When any of that foolishness starts, in go the bright orange plugs. I have had on occasion to resort to the bright red muffs, but that's more in situations where you get Bashy McBashface the drummer who can't discern the difference betweeen an arena rock concert and a trad-jazz jam session for a couple dozen people.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

As I've been told, by orchestral players, sitting to the right of the Picc, a sound limiting device, is often used in the left ear.

 

[turf3]

As I've been told, by orchestral players, sitting to the right of the Picc, a sound limiting device, is often used in the left ear.

When I practice piccolo I always use plugs.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I certainly have used ear plugs in big bands. More for rehearsals than performances, as many bands have to rehearse in small live spaces. (And there are far too many people who refuse to play softly.) But occasionally for performances as well. Especially when you get the idiot sound man who thinks he needs to mike up every single horn for the 40 elderly people at the VFW hall. When any of that foolishness starts, in go the bright orange plugs. I have had on occasion to resort to the bright red muffs, but that's more in situations where you get Bashy McBashface the drummer who can't discern the difference betweeen an arena rock concert and a trad-jazz jam session for a couple dozen people.

Yep, too many of those sound men and drummers around.

 

[Pete Effamy]

When I practice piccolo I always use plugs.

So does everyone else 🤭

 

[Pete Effamy]

As I've been told, by orchestral players, sitting to the right of the Picc, a sound limiting device, is often used in the left ear.

Thankfully, in most pieces they only play the big, high stuff every now and again. Who sits off right - French horns?

 

[AlonW]

I have trouble with earplugs while playing. I just consider loud playing situations (standing next to the drummer, etc.) to be part of the experience. I have tinnitus but I can still hear. The loud sound exposure does give me trouble with reduced high frequency perception for a short while. My ears can feel stuffy. My remedy is to exercise, take breaks from noise, and eat a good diet.