What ear plugs for hearing protection in loud music environments?

[GuyBoden]

What ear protection do you use in loud music environments?

I've recently changed to inexpensive ACS Pacato ear plugs to protect my hearing in loud environments. Previously, I used Doc's Proplugs.
I prefer the ACS Pacato ear plugs.

ACS Pacato are only, £10 plus postage. (UK)
https://acscustom.com/uk/products/un...-fit/pacato-16

https://acscustom.com/uk/products/un...-fit/pacato-19

I have both Pacato 16 and 19. The Pacato 19 allow less sound into the ear than the Pacato 16.




Doc's Proplugs
DOC'S PROPLUGS: EAR PLUGS

[Peter C]

ANC earbuds with customisable noise cancelling.

[AllanAllen]

I went to an ear doctor and had custom molded ear plugs made. They lasted a few years and were the best ear plugs I ever used. Even dB reduction, comfortable fit.

I’d get them again if I joined a rock band.

[Danny W.]

I’ve been using the same Westone custom-molded earplugs with my big band for about fifteen years, which I had made by my ENT’s audiologist. I wear a solid plug in the left ear (towards the band) and a -25dB filter in the right.

They work much better than any of the packaged brands I’ve tried, and they still fit perfectly.

Danny W.

[Alter]

I made molded custom ones years ago and still use them. But I also have these simple tree-like ones below that cost less than one tenth the price, and they are not bad at all, good noise reduction and decent sound, miles ahead from plastic or silicone ones.

Alpine MusicSafe Pro Black Edition – Thomann Ellada

[rpjazzguitar]

I tried Etymotic custom molded ear plugs. I think they worked well at first, but eventually stopped seating well in the ear canal. They're hard plastic and if they don't fit perfectly they leak. The leakage was in the bass frequencies and I would sometimes think the bassist was too loud -- and then adjust the earplug.

I then switched to EarPeace at a fraction of the price. They're soft and they therefore mold to fit the ear canal. I found them much better than the Etymotics.

EarPeace come in a little metal cylinder which I carry on my key chain, so I always have it. I think the ones I use regularly are 15db reduction. In my guitar case I have another set with greater reduction and some foam earplugs for emergencies.

EarPeace has a number of competitors. I don't know which one is best. My drummer recommended EarPeace so I tried those first.

As far as sound quality goes, both Etymotic and EarPeace claim that the reduction is linear, somehow, referring to preserving the frequency spectrum of the music. I'm not sure how that works with non-linearities in hearing/perception. But, I can say this. Music sounds way better without the earplugs, but I can manage with them. My preference is to play at a volume where I don't need them.

[charlieparker]

I recommend getting musicians earplugs. I had a doctor custom fit them to my ear. They fit great and you can hear clearly. They have 15 and 25db reduction options.

Like these, Best Musicians Earplugs, Custom Musician Earplugs | Ultimate Ears
– Ultimate Ears PRO