Earplugs?

[Phil507]

So, after attending nearly 80-100 shows a year for several years I'm starting to think that maybe it's time to wear earplugs. I tried them out seeing The Killers last Friday in New York and it was sort of frustrating. They seemed to cut a lot of the high end out so I would hear vocal, bass and drum. I realize this isn't setlist-related but it does relate to live shows. I was hoping some of you people could help out.

1) What brand of earplugs do you use if you use them?
2) Best methods/tips for using them so you aren't constantly frustrated during the show?

[OldJersey]

1)Don't use them
2) Don't use them

[larokr]

1) I use Mack's earplugs (these - http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=145809&productId=145809&navAction=push&navCount=1&no_new_crumb=true. Basically just went to CVS and picked a box.
2) Well, these basically block out the feedback for me. I've never gotten frustrated during a show from using earplugs, so I don't know what to tell you about that.

I don't wear them all the time - I try to as much as possible. Sometimes I just forget them in my room by accident.

[Phil507]

1)Don't use them
2) Don't use them

Why am I not surprised you live in Jersey?

[OldJersey]

Why am I not surprised you live in Jersey?

Hahaha andddd whats that supposed to mean?

[WFUJerseyJon]

I need to start doing this. I've definitely noticed my hearing is not as strong as it used to be and I'm guessing my years of shows are at least part of the reason.

[kidblink]

stop being such a pussy.

[bonnerroo]

1) I use Mack's earplugs (these - http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=145809&productId=145809&navAction=push&navCount=1&no_new_crumb=true. Basically just went to CVS and picked a box.
2) Well, these basically block out the feedback for me. I've never gotten frustrated during a show from using earplugs, so I don't know what to tell you about that.

I don't wear them all the time - I try to as much as possible. Sometimes I just forget them in my room by accident.

I use similar earplugs!--Mack's Ultra Safe Sound Soft Foam Earplugs. I'm sure anyone could pick them up at CVS (like you did), Duane Reade, Rite Aid, etc. They don't seem to be hard to find.

I don't wear mine all that often but I always have them handy in case there's a particularly loud show or venue... wearing earplugs makes the experience so much better, or in some cases, even bearable.

[GLaDOS]

not being a pussy means having no hearing at the ripe age of 20something. DO YOU WANT TO BE A PUSSY?

[Phil507]

stop being such a pussy.

Yeah, because REAL men have to live with constant ringing in their ears. Girls will flock to you because they know you're tough.

Moron...

[Phil507]

I use similar earplugs!--Mack's Ultra Safe Sound Soft Foam Earplugs. I'm sure anyone could pick them up at CVS (like you did), Duane Reade, Rite Aid, etc. They don't seem to be hard to find.

I don't wear mine all that often but I always have them handy in case there's a particularly loud show or venue... wearing earplugs makes the experience so much better, or in some cases, even bearable.

Cool, but do they cut out a lot of the high end? I notice I usually hear bass, drums and vocals when wearing earplugs.

[Smash Adams]

I just use the cheap ones since I tend to lose them and if I lost $50 earplugs I'd be pissed, if they cost $1 who cares

[makeasound]

Yeah, because REAL men have to live with constant ringing in their ears. Girls will flock to you because they know you're tough.
That is exactly what happened to me.
I didn't wear ear plugs when I first started going to shows, and after being too close to the speaker on my left-side at an outdoor festival, I've had constant ringing in my left ear. And that happened five years ago.

I use cheap earplugs... at Walmart or Target you can get 30 pairs for like $5. If you're concerned they're going to cut out some of the sound, go for ones that only cut out 27db or 28db instead of the ones that cut out 32db - 34db. Personally I tend to hear what's going on on the stage better wearing earplugs because it cuts out the noise from the crowd behind/beside me.

[be mine]

Yeah I wear the cheap foam kind from Walgreens.

[saofan_315]

I like to use "Hearos." They sell them at Longs for a couple bucks and they're reusable.

[S9Dallasoz]

I use similar earplugs!--Mack's Ultra Safe Sound Soft Foam Earplugs. I'm sure anyone could pick them up at CVS (like you did), Duane Reade, Rite Aid, etc. They don't seem to be hard to find.

I don't wear mine all that often but I always have them handy in case there's a particularly loud show or venue... wearing earplugs makes the experience so much better, or in some cases, even bearable.

Agreed, they made SKSK bearable before Anberlin.

[robat19]

Agreed, they made SKSK bearable before Anberlin.

:-d

[jhog3411]

I buy the green foam ones from CVS like someone posted earlier and I think they cut out 20 something decibels. I can't imagine going to so many shows and not wearing earplugs. I am looking into getting decent permanent ones, probably at a musician's store.

[ISUCK89]

im half deaf so ive been wearing ear plugs forever whether its at a show or playing a show, or at rehearsal, ive tried to get my friends to wear them but everyone thinks its stupid, you gotta think long term, i dont know what id do without my hearing

[kidblink]

Yeah, because REAL men have to live with constant ringing in their ears. Girls will flock to you because they know you're tough.

Moron...

my bad i forgot real men had little colorful things in their ears during a concert....your right girls will deff flock to you...mayb you can color cordinate them with your outfit ******.

[robat19]

my bad i forgot real men had little colorful things in their ears during a concert....your right girls will deff flock to you...mayb you can color cordinate them with your outfit ******.

Do you really go to shows to pick up chicks?

[anamericangod]

my bad i forgot real men had little colorful things in their ears during a concert....your right girls will deff flock to you...mayb you can color cordinate them with your outfit ******.

DIAGF

x

[acfrue]

ive got this ringing in my ears and none on my fingers

sorry about that fall out boy reference

[Phil507]

my bad i forgot real men had little colorful things in their ears during a concert....your right girls will deff flock to you...mayb you can color cordinate them with your outfit ******.

How do people this stupid even know how to type?

[Phil507]

im half deaf so ive been wearing ear plugs forever whether its at a show or playing a show, or at rehearsal, ive tried to get my friends to wear them but everyone thinks its stupid, you gotta think long term, i dont know what id do without my hearing

Do the ones you wear cut out a lot of the high end or can you hear everything well, just like 20 decibels lower?

[Heart-A-Tact]

my bad i forgot real men had little colorful things in their ears during a concert....your right girls will deff flock to you...mayb you can color cordinate them with your outfit ******.

Are you really breathing?

[ACA]

Really need to start.. I've seen my favorite ten bands well over 100 times alone, God knows how much damage I've done. Really need to start.

[Phil507]

Really need to start.. I've seen my favorite ten bands well over 100 times alone, God knows how much damage I've done. Really need to start.

You sound similar to me. I really recommend starting. If you think about it, you probably go to as many shows as some bands play in a year. They wear earplugs so people like you and me should. Plus, if you don't start, you'll get some serious damage and you may have to stop going altogether.

[ACA]

You sound similar to me. I really recommend starting. If you think about it, you probably go to as many shows as some bands play in a year. They wear earplugs so people like you and me should. Plus, if you don't start, you'll get some serious damage and you may have to stop going altogether.

I had a cheap pair of earphones in my ears at a Coheed show recently, and I noticed just how that little bit really made a HUGE difference.

I'll probably head to Duane Reade around lunch and see if they have anything basic to just give it a shot. I have a bunch of "Louder Now" Taking Back Sunday earplugs somewhere I got from the band at their record release show, actually...

-ACA

[Phil507]

I had a cheap pair of earphones in my ears at a Coheed show recently, and I noticed just how that little bit really made a HUGE difference.

I'll probably head to Duane Reade around lunch and see if they have anything basic to just give it a shot. I have a bunch of "Louder Now" Taking Back Sunday earplugs somewhere I got from the band at their record release show, actually...

-ACA

Let me know what brand. I got some from Duane Reade as well and when I saw MGMT last night, it seemed like it took out a lot of the high end and the bass was really loud. However, I took them out for a second and realized the bass was really loud as it was anyways. But still, curious to hear your thoughts.

[essie]

That is exactly what happened to me.
I didn't wear ear plugs when I first started going to shows, and after being too close to the speaker on my left-side at an outdoor festival, I've had constant ringing in my left ear. And that happened five years ago.

I use cheap earplugs... at Walmart or Target you can get 30 pairs for like $5. If you're concerned they're going to cut out some of the sound, go for ones that only cut out 27db or 28db instead of the ones that cut out 32db - 34db. Personally I tend to hear what's going on on the stage better wearing earplugs because it cuts out the noise from the crowd behind/beside me.

Yeah, I was in the same situation. I bought a box of earplugs and they made all my concert experiences a lot more pleasant; they filter excess noises.

[swt_catastrophe]

yeah, i go to a ton of shows too, and it's definitely not worth the ringing the next morning..
i would actually like to be able to hear when i'm older (i'm strange like that)

i wear these:
http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/petrnereearp.html
i just cut off the cord. a friend of mine rec'd these to me, as he wears them at shows...
pretty cheap (it's literally the only reason i step foot in walmart) and they come with a little case, so you can just keep them in your pocket.

[samsara]

ive lost some of my hearing due to going to, too many shows

i should wear earplugs

[amyxtran]

i should start while im ahead..

[ZoSo1886]

Why am I not surprised you live in Jersey?



fuck earplugs! and i assume my ears haha

[Finesthours]

I only put on the ear plugs when there's a band that I don't know/care about playing and I'll usually take them off to get the whole live experience of the band I'm there for.

However, after reading through all these posts, I'm noticing that some people actually keep them on for the entire show? I didn't think it would be necessary if I wasn't exposed to the loud music for too long. Does anyone have a reason for keeping them on the entire show, or have a reason against taking them off at shows for certain lengths of time?

[caLLmEnOoNe]

after the last concert i went to i'm really considering buying some

[makeasound]

I only put on the ear plugs when there's a band that I don't know/care about playing and I'll usually take them off to get the whole live experience of the band I'm there for.

However, after reading through all these posts, I'm noticing that some people actually keep them on for the entire show? I didn't think it would be necessary if I wasn't exposed to the loud music for too long. Does anyone have a reason for keeping them on the entire show, or have a reason against taking them off at shows for certain lengths of time?
Length of time doesn't matter, 2 minutes at 120+ db (which a lot of venues are cranking it up to nowadays) can do just as much damage as 2 hours of at a slightly lower volume.

I can hear the bands better with them in because they cut out a lot of the excess noise/feedback and audience noise, also, so taking them out for the band I paid for seems to defeat the purpose.

[Phil507]

Length of time doesn't matter, 2 minutes at 120+ db (which a lot of venues are cranking it up to nowadays) can do just as much damage as 2 hours of at a slightly lower volume.

I can hear the bands better with them in because they cut out a lot of the excess noise/feedback and audience noise, also, so taking them out for the band I paid for seems to defeat the purpose.

Yeah, the only problem is the ones I wear (which are really good, btw) look EXTREMELY dorky.

[ISUCK89]

Do the ones you wear cut out a lot of the high end or can you hear everything well, just like 20 decibels lower?
i can hear the show fine, theres a tad of a difference, sometimes its a nice difference because some shows are so loud that its painful, but i mean it doesnt take away an incredible amount like peopl ethink, and im not getting direct damage by doing so

[After Hours]

Yeah, because REAL men have to live with constant ringing in their ears. Girls will flock to you because they know you're tough.

Moron...
:-d

I'm the only person I know who wears them to shows. Not only does it put off hearing loss for a much later date, but in smaller venues where the speakers aren't as good, it cuts way down on the distortion & spreading (the Roseland's speakers sound good w/o earplugs, imo). I heard going "unprotected" to just one show a month can cause major damage.

[Hcanesbb]

not being a pussy means having no hearing at the ripe age of 20something. DO YOU WANT TO BE A PUSSY?


WHAT?

[makeasound]

Yeah, the only problem is the ones I wear (which are really good, btw) look EXTREMELY dorky.
Hahaha.

But at least you'll be a dork who still has his hearing :-p

[You'veGotTheMic]

i started wearing earplugs to concerts about a year ago and the difference is incredible. the venue i go to the most doesn't have the greatest acoustics and i used to always come home with my ears ringing, but now I never do. personally, i haven't ever really noticed the higher-end sounds being cut out. it's not like everything's muffled, just quieter.

here's the link to the ones i bought: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx. i would highly recommend them. they're pretty comfortable and aren't too conspicuous.

[johnh5304]

i started wearing earplugs to concerts about a year ago and the difference is incredible. the venue i go to the most doesn't have the greatest acoustics and i used to always come home with my ears ringing, but now I never do. personally, i haven't ever really noticed the higher-end sounds being cut out. it's not like everything's muffled, just quieter.

here's the link to the ones i bought: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx. i would highly recommend them. they're pretty comfortable and aren't too conspicuous.
Seriously go with these. I always bring them when I go to shows just in case I feel my ears will bleed without some kind of protection. It's the next best thing to going all out and getting custom made ear plugs.