Huh?

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Monday Aug 18, 2003

About a year ago, I had my ears tested to see how bad they were from playing in bands over the past 15 years. I was really surprised to find out that out of the 10 frequencies tested (I thought they should've tested more), my ears were still normal. At that point I came to a decision to protect the most valuable tool of a musician and purchased a pair of Musician's Earplugs. At the time I thought the investment was a little costly, but then realized that these plugs will be used throughout my life. Ear damage isn't something that can be reversed. I just wanted to share with everyone something I wish I would've known about 15 years ago. The clip below was taken from http://www.rayshearing.com/musician.htm

Musicians Earplugs

The problem with conventional earplugs

Most earplugs attenuate more than necessary when fitted properly. Too much attenuation in the high frequencies makes speech and music sound muffled and unclear. Users don't always wear them deeply enough in their ears because they want to hear speech and machinery.

<img border="0" src="http://www.rayshearing.com/chart3.jpg" width="359" height="215">

The solution : ER earplugs

ER-15 and ER-25 buttons are designed to match the ear's natural response when attached to a custom earmold.

<img border="0" src="http://www.rayshearing.com/chart4.jpg" width="358" height="221">

The result is that music and speech can still be heard clearly, but will not be as loud.

The theory and design of flat response attenuators

A flat-response attenuator must have a frequency response that follows the shape of the natural frequency response of the open ear, but at a reduced level.

The ER-15, ER-15SP (sport plug), and ER-25 use diaphragms similar to a passive speaker cone, to achieve the desired response curve.

ER-15SP: In order to provide the smallest possible size, the 6 kHz "side branch resonance" (which smoothes the ER-15 response above 3 kHz) was sacrificed in the ER-15SP. The result is a plug with less attenuation at 6 kHz, but is otherwise similar to the standard ER-15.

<img border="0" src="http://www.rayshearing.com/chart5.jpg" width="356" height="221">

Shapes / Colors / Styles :

Top half: ER-15 & ER-25 - Musicians Earplugs
Bottom half: ER-15SP - Sports Plugs

<img border="0" src="http://www.rayshearing.com/chart6.jpg" width="372" height="245">

I'm sure the first thought out of everyone's minds is going to be that you've tried various other earplugs and weren't able to hear all that great with them in. I can tell you from experience that you can hear everything, but at a lower volume. The highs are crysal clear and smooth. At the end of a night, I pull them out and there's no ringing, what so ever, in my ears. Something I will point out with them is that it did take a few shows to actually get used to them. A few added bonus' to having them in your ears are as follows: You can actually hear yourself singing without monitors. You can also carry on a conversation with the person beside you and hear them talk over the band. I hated going out to see a band with someone and couldn't hear a single word coming out of the person's mouth. Something else freaky with these is I can actually hear the strums from my guitar as I'm playing over the band it with these in. I know it sounds strange, but I can.

So, how much are these plugs going to run me? I purchased mine through Accutone Hearing Aid Center about a year ago and paid $175 for the plugs with the ER-25 buttons (The place will take a mold of your ear and make the silicone plugs from them). I spent an additional $40 and got the ER-15's as well. I'm posting this out of my own free will and just wanted to pass a good thing on to everyone. I'm sure you can go to just about any ear specialist and get these. If you want to do a search online, just type "musicians earplugs" and look for the ER-style buttons. I have the # for Accutone, so either message or mail me and I can provide it.

PROTECT YOUR EARS!!! You only get one unreplacable set in your lifetime.

John
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www.retroactiverocks.com

nighthawk · Post by **nighthawk** » Monday Aug 18, 2003

if you cant hear what you are playing how do you know it sounds good. yes good ear plugs are a good investment

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Saturday Oct 04, 2003

Holy nuts, we played a gig at Peter C's and I forgot to bring my earplugs with me. This is the first time I didn't use them for a show and payed for it. By the end of our first set, I had a beat assed headache and when I went outside, my ears were ringing like you wouldn't believe. Just following up to my other post saying that if you start wearing plugs, don't go a show without them or you'll regret it.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Saturday Oct 04, 2003

What about the ear filter they sold back around '90, '91 ? They were about $20 bucks and filtered the high damaging frequencies and lowered the db. I used to have a pair and they gave a clear sound but I lost them and haven't seen anything similar for sale. Does anyone remember these? If so do they sell anything similar today?

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Friday Oct 10, 2003

Onetooloud could've made a killing on selling the box of earplugs he had in his car at the Skid Row show last night.