Earplugs for musicians

AK-tpt · Regular Member Joined: 06 Nov 2011 Posts: 71

Hello everyone,

It seems some of the 3rd clarinet players in our concert band recently took exception to the 110 decibel level of the seven member trumpet section. (Well, the conductor, a trumpet player himself, DID ask for more!)

Anyway, it seems that the Chicago Symphony together with Etymotic Research have developed earplugs for musicians.

So, the point of discussion - what about the use of earplugs? Do you use them? Do they help you hear yourself? What do you have to say?

Thanks!

BedfordTrumpeter · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 10:10 am Post subject:

I bought some off-the-shelf (not custom) Etymotic earplugs on Amazon, for use when playing with a funk band I recently joined. I was very impressed with the even attenuation across all frequencies. It really did seem like I'd simply turned down everyone's volume.

While I can vouch for Etymotic plugs' quality, there's a definite learning curve to playing with earplugs, even good ones. I've gone back and forth on using them, because it's a very strange feeling and I don't play these amplified gigs often enough to get accustomed to it. It seems to me you have to get comfortable with judging your dynamics entirely by feel, because the "mix" in your ears will be way out of whack. Several colleagues use plugs for orchestral and wind band playing, but in those settings I really want to hear everything clearly, so I'm not inclined to even try them there.
_________________
CarolBrass 658R Bb | CarolBrass 506R Bb | CarolBrass 4000 C | Yamaha 631GS Flugel | CarolBrass 6882T Bb Cornet | Besson 60MD D/Eb | CarolBrass 7770F Picc. | Curry & Reeves mpcs
-------
http://www.bedfordbrassquintet.com

Troy Sargent · Veteran Member Joined: 13 May 2012 Posts: 205

etymotics are amazing

keep in mind the off the shelf ones are nowhere near as good as the custom fit ones. custom fits are amazing and really are a must have item
_________________
www.tsargentmusic.com

razeontherock · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Earplugs for musicians

AK-tpt · Regular Member Joined: 06 Nov 2011 Posts: 71

I WASN'T GOING TO BE THE ONE TO SAY IT! HA, HA.

Hearing loss is a real thing. My pilot instructor was relieved of his 737 right seat position because of his hearing in 1972 - BUT - he had been flying since 1929 and logged his 30,000th hour while training me.
A friend re-certified as a math teacher after teaching elementary music in order to finish his career...

Still...

I appreciate hearing about everyone's experiences. Thanks.

bodybyvi · Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:44 am Post subject:

this is really cool. 110 decibel and i think this will be enough for me. thanks for the information.

Richard A · Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:24 am Post subject: Hearing Loss

I have enough hearing loss that now I have to wear behind the ear hearing aids on both ears in my day job.

I wish I had known when I was young how easy it is to permanently damage your ears

110dB is way past the threshold of hazardous sound levels. Protect yourself. .
_________________
Richard Ashmore
I am a Mechanical Engineer and have many years of Social Distancing experience.

gtr125 · New Member Joined: 19 Dec 2013 Posts: 5

I use some of the etymotic customs and they're fantastic. I only use them when I have to though because they do change the sound some.

LittleRusty · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:58 pm Post subject:

I popped in my left custom fit one last night. The French horn at rehearsal temporarily moved into the seat on my left so his horn was pointed at my ear.

Since I only play with them occasionally it makes it hard to feel the balance of my playing to the rest of the orchestra.

Archie Sawyer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 668

Westone makes custom musicians earplugs and are normally available through any Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor. I've had mine for a couple of years now. Really nice and different filters can be changed out, depending on the amount of volume you wish reduced.

Archie

Troy Sargent · Veteran Member Joined: 13 May 2012 Posts: 205

just a note westone is using the Etymotic filters so they are essentially the same earplugs
_________________
www.tsargentmusic.com

Archie Sawyer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 668

J4MES · New Member Joined: 19 May 2011 Posts: 6

Etymotic are the way to go! I wear them out to concerts too.

jon_norstog · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 4:38 pm Post subject:

I bought the Etymotics this fall .. the community band I was in, the low brass was right behind me at ear level. They helped a lot. I also use them when I'm driving on long trips.

jn
_________________
toot, toot!