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Posted by DJediMaster on Oct-29-2005 18:44:

more earplug discussion

I've been looking to get a pair of earplugs for djing/clubbing for a while now and I keep getting the same suggestion � get a set of musician earplugs. A lot of people have recommended plugs from places like www.etymotic.com .

So I just came back from an audiologist appointment today where I asked the doctor what he thought or would suggest in my case. His basic response was � musician earplugs are a waste of time and money. The plugs he recommended for me were regular, custom made, earplugs (the same kind you would get if you had, say, an ear infection and wanted to keep water out of it when swimming). These plugs are cheaper, quicker to make, and easier to maintain.

Apparently, the attenuation in these earplugs is much flatter than in musician earplugs, making them allow a more natural sound through to your ears. Also, to vary the amount of sound reduction, what they do is drill a hole into the earplug and �tweak� the amount by stuffing in some spongy material.

This sounds like a load of bullshit to me, especially with all the positive comments I�ve been reading about musician earplugs but coming from an audiologist, I don�t know what to say. He said that all the big name bands/djs/musicians only go for the �high end� stuff simply because it�s what they think they should have � �musician� earplugs. The bottom line is, however, that they don�t give you anything that regular custom made earplugs can�t.

What do you guys think? Has anyone used regular custom fit plugs before? I haven�t heard anyone mention anything like this before...

Posted by jdat on Oct-29-2005 22:52:

First off a pair of Etymotic earplugs the regular ones ( ER-20) are around 15 20 dollars.

You say that you could get some custom made ones for cheaper?

I'm assuming you might be talking about the custom Etymotic ones which go in a 100~200 dollar range.

The Etymotic customs come with a set of attenuator buttons which range from 9 dB to 25 dB reduction. And they are interchangeable very easily.

Apparently what makes these earplugs better then the norm is that they have a frequency response attenuation that corresponds better to what's being heard and what's more damaging all while making it sound the most natural possible. How does that compare to regular earplugs ... I don't know...

I don't know if me or anyone here can argue against an audiologist which would happen to know if it was really all hype/marketing/sales tactics or not. I'm curious to know ...

I know I have tried some cheapo earplugs that cost 2 bucks and had 20 dB reduction and compared with the Etymotics ER-20s and the sound was much better on the Ety's ( while being at the same dB reduction ). But that's comparing a different type of product ...

Posted by F�anor on Oct-30-2005 03:20:

I see wire to some ER-20 pictures. What's that about?

Posted by jdat on Oct-30-2005 03:31:

quote:
Originally posted by F�anor
I see wire to some ER-20 pictures. What's that about?

It's some cord to hang the plugs around your neck

Posted by F�anor on Oct-30-2005 03:40:

quote:
Originally posted by jdat
It's some cord to hang the plugs around your neck

Oh thanks =)

Posted by Gunyouken on Oct-30-2005 16:16:

Since most people think EDM is just a bunch of noise, your audiologist included, he might think you need a pair of plugs that reduce the noise, thinking nothing about that you would still actually like to hear it still as crisp and good sounding without the high volume.

Maybe the earplugs he wants to give you still allow you to hear everything crisp and clear, I wouldn't know, I'm just thinking maybe he thinks you just want to block out, just like one would that works in construction or factory or such. Maybe get a second opinion?

Posted by Freak on Oct-30-2005 18:29:

Re: more earplug discussion

quote:
Originally posted by DJediMaster

So I just came back from an audiologist appointment today where I asked the doctor what he thought or would suggest in my case. His basic response was � musician earplugs are a waste of time and money.

Apparently, the attenuation in these earplugs is much flatter than in musician earplugs, making them allow a more natural sound through to your ears.

Right
Speaking as professional dj who will not play in a club without my custom plugs (http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/mu002.asp?hd=41) I can confirm he is talking bollocks.

You do not want a plug with a flat frequency response- as the ear does not have a flat frequency response! This is why normal foam ones sound muffled as they do not have the same curve as the ear and to do with other various other things you can read about yourself.

The reason musicians plugs sound VERY natural, is because the filters mimic the frequency curve of the ear result? You cant tell you have them in-but everything sounds clearer and quieter.

Let me guess....they endorse these ones he recommeded but arent an authorised seller for musicians plugs?
he is trying to sell you plugs that block sound- rather than selling you ones that reduce sound- yet enable you to still hear.

Best money I have ever spent- period. I will not set foot in a club without them.