i've been with ear plugs since 2008, i can't imagine not using them. I use them to DJ, when i go out to clubs, concerts, etc. My GF gets annoyed because if i forget them, i turn around, go home & make sure to grab them. I own a pair of this brand:

http://www.sensaphonics.com/prod_erseries_customs.html

You buy the same plug then you have 3 choices of dB filters, -9, -15 & -25. Honestly i've had the -15 in there 90% of the time, only at major concerts (which i rarely go to) do i put in the -25. Avalon in LA at -15 is totally fine. The extra filters run about $25-$50 a piece, the molds cost $180. I think i spent $280 when it was all said in done.


So ya, i wear them while i DJ, under my cans... it's awesome. Also as storyteller said and this is my personal belief (i have no proof other than experience) that a big chunk of hearing damage at clubs is caused by people SCREAMING in your ear. With the plugs it's like you're in a small bar with background music on, you hear every word, nothing hurts (no matter how close they get).

you make them look so nice, i think i'm going to save for them, i have had some bad experiences already... for djing i didn't find it necessary to the date, i have noticed that all the djs seem to use insane volume levels on their headphones/monitors, i always decrease them greatly, i usually mix with only one cup so i don't need vast volume and isolation (my HP's have a decent isolation so i think this helps) as for the monitors i only have them at a "high" volume when i am beatmatching, the rest of the time sit at a low level where my ears don't suffer, in most clubs i've been you could switch on/off the monitors and adjust the volume. I am going to the netherlands and italy this year, i hope the sound quality is at least the same...

And i heard on a AvB video that the reason why he mostly recommended the earplugs was precisely because of people screaming at your ear, this is kinda logical, if the music is loud... someone who wants to speak with you has to be louder, so something at +6db in a scream means +9db red meters and tinnitus

Check out www.westone.com

They make custom earplugs for DJs among other things. A friend of mine has a pair and swares by them. I have been meaning to get a pair for some time now but just haven't done it yet. I too fear the hearing in my left ear has diminished a bit.

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Lol how is the left ear always? I know dozens of people who say it's the left ear that has suffered, me included.

curiously i started to worry because i hear louder on the right side too :S i noticed when i changed my headphones, i don't know why.

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Originally posted by JEO Lol how is the left ear always? I know dozens of people who say it's the left ear that has suffered, me included.

not all eyes are equal and not all ears are equal, loads of factors go into this.

quote:

Originally posted by Magnus Check out www.westone.com They make custom earplugs for DJs among other things. A friend of mine has a pair and swares by them. I have been meaning to get a pair for some time now but just haven't done it yet. I too fear the hearing in my left ear has diminished a bit.

you really don't want any thing that sticks out of your ear, your headphones (if you DJ) will press on them and in-turn press on your ear drum. Best if it's flush

Interesting post here by long time DJ John 00 Fleming on this very subject. He prefers protection in the -15db range.

http://www.john00fleming.com/#hash/media/0/18

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I recently discovered that I have waxy ears that act like earplugs which I think is why my hearing has not really been damaged from all those years in bands then the ding. My hearing despite the normal taper on the high end is pretty damn good.

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quote:

Originally posted by Zombie0729 not all eyes are equal and not all ears are equal, loads of factors go into this.

Could you elaborate? Why is it that almost all the people I know, that do care about their hearing, say the hearing in their left ear has degraded more than in the other?

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, since I have no clue what causes this what so ever.

Though I suppose it can be as simple as driving your car on the left seat, as most people in the western world do (no offense to the British). If the car's really loud to the inside, your left ear takes most of the hit? I don't know what luxury cars you guys drive but I've been thinking of getting ear protection just to use in my car.

quote:

Originally posted by Mad for Brad I recently discovered that I have waxy ears that act like earplugs which I think is why my hearing has not really been damaged from all those years in bands then the ding. My hearing despite the normal taper on the high end is pretty damn good.

And you don't have a car! My god my theory makes perfect sense.

i am sure there's some relation between being right handed/left handed and driving your car on the left/right seat. Odd but there must be an explanation here if it's true everybody tends to suffer from the left ear... maybe the way you position in the clubs being left handed or not if i think of the last weekend my left ear was usually directed to the speaker while i was talking, but as i have said i think i've lost some audition on that side so i am not a good man to experiment with.

There must be an explanation, i find that the car thing has something to do on this, this is easier to prove. Ask some british and see if they have their left ear injured or the right ear.

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Originally posted by Storyteller I've got my earplugs for about 3-4 years now and should get new ones quite soon. It's been one of my best buys ever, it makes partying so much more enjoyable in many ways. - Insane loud music on a bad soundsystem will no longer cause a headache - Understanding everyone when they talk to you - No beep after partying - No damage to your ears

+15

I keep my custom 'musicians plugs' in the car so I have them at all times... I'd have paid $1k for them if that's what they cost. You can't put a price on my hearing.

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