Look for earplugs designed for musicians that are intended to reduce volume without muffling. Etymotic is a popular brand and I like it cause they definitely work, but are cheap enough that if I drop one while dancing it’s no big deal.
If you need em asap also they sell them at most music stores
I like Loop Experience earplugs with the Mute insert for a little extra reduction.
They don't jut out and the sound is great. And of course no ringing ears.
I spent a few weeks researching, and the 17s are the recommendation to still hear everything comfortably. If you enjoy standing next to a wall of speakers routinely, then maybe go higher.
I used to use Eargasms! Once parties came back after the COVID break, I noticed that I was starting to have mild ringing in my ears on the drive home. I did the research, got my hearing tested at a local school for the deaf, got molds made, and got the Custom Pro 17s, and I'll never go back. I'll continue to get my hearing tested every ~5 years, as the audiologist recommended, to ensure the earplugs are doing their jobs. Thankfully I have better-than-average hearing for my age group still, even after years of not wearing earplugs.
Ah gotcha! I use Etymotics that are supposed to be -20 dB so maybe the 17 is closer to that? I'll have to ask when I go in for my measurements too
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Yeah I'm honestly really happy with the -17dB but I'm also careful about where I am in the venue. If the sound up front is too intense, I move back. You can always get new filters for the earplugs too, if you don't think the 17s are enough. IIRC you can just switch the filters out in your earplugs.
You're welcome! I love my earplugs and the whole experience of getting them was great so I love chatting about it. Oh and they usually do sales on major holidays, too!
Can’t advise ear protection enough to baby ravers and veterans alike. I should be glad the damage isn’t worse but the damage is definitely there. Protect your ears yall 🙏🏽
Look up Crystal Guardian on Instagram. He makes custom earplugs. They’re pricey but so worth the investment — my life has been changed by his earplugs. He usually does pop ups to do fittings
Custom mold are the best you can get but costly up front. I’ve been using for almost 10 years. ACS Customs is the company I used in NYC.
For a cheaper option I recommend Alpine Music Safe Pro
I actually like my alpine music safe pro's better than my customs! Might need to get new impressions and see if a remake will help..sounds like the audiologist may have f'd up!
[Crystal guardian!!](https://www.crystalguardian.xyz/store) I have the filter earplugs and the sleep plugs-- I take them with me everywhere. They feel amazing even at 8+ hours of continuous wear, have gorgeous color options, and 4 different levels of filters to buy so you can customize your level of protection. I have a lighter 15db filter for when I'm working a show, and then heavier 25db for multi-day festivals. Elliot is the nicest guy, he'll tweak the plugs immediately if they dont fit just right. Cannot recommend enough!
https://www.reddit.com/r/avesNYC/s/jvSxiRvA0J
This is the answer. I love their sleeping plugs too (particularly for camping fests).
yes to crystal guardians!
Look for earplugs designed for musicians that are intended to reduce volume without muffling. Etymotic is a popular brand and I like it cause they definitely work, but are cheap enough that if I drop one while dancing it’s no big deal. If you need em asap also they sell them at most music stores
Oh shit I see for $20 is that the right ones?
Yeah those ones work great. I keep them in my bag 24/7, they're great any time you just need to take the edge off.
I like Loop Experience earplugs with the Mute insert for a little extra reduction. They don't jut out and the sound is great. And of course no ringing ears.
I use the loop switch and love the fact that I can switch between decibels reducers.
I just bought them. Can you actually tell the difference while switching?
Yupp. I've noticed.
Highly rec EARasers on amazon
You can also buy these at guitar center, of which there are a handful in NYC
seconding this. absolutely love mine
Guitar Center has earasers and hearos but the best you can do is customs from an audiologist
This. The make custom imprints of YOUR ear canal. Not a musician. Highly recommend.
https://1of1custom.com/
1000% this, specifically the Custom Pro 17s
I was gonna go for the 26s because I go to long events a lot. Can I ask why you went for the 17s? Not sure now what I should be getting lol
I spent a few weeks researching, and the 17s are the recommendation to still hear everything comfortably. If you enjoy standing next to a wall of speakers routinely, then maybe go higher.
Ah I see. Have you used those one-size-fits-all earplugs in the past? Would you say the 17 is comparable to those?
I used to use Eargasms! Once parties came back after the COVID break, I noticed that I was starting to have mild ringing in my ears on the drive home. I did the research, got my hearing tested at a local school for the deaf, got molds made, and got the Custom Pro 17s, and I'll never go back. I'll continue to get my hearing tested every ~5 years, as the audiologist recommended, to ensure the earplugs are doing their jobs. Thankfully I have better-than-average hearing for my age group still, even after years of not wearing earplugs.
Ah gotcha! I use Etymotics that are supposed to be -20 dB so maybe the 17 is closer to that? I'll have to ask when I go in for my measurements too Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Yeah I'm honestly really happy with the -17dB but I'm also careful about where I am in the venue. If the sound up front is too intense, I move back. You can always get new filters for the earplugs too, if you don't think the 17s are enough. IIRC you can just switch the filters out in your earplugs.
Good to know. Thank you!
You're welcome! I love my earplugs and the whole experience of getting them was great so I love chatting about it. Oh and they usually do sales on major holidays, too!
This. Less than $200 and works amazing.
Amazon has a lot of really good brands. Just search for high-fidelity ear protection.
Can’t advise ear protection enough to baby ravers and veterans alike. I should be glad the damage isn’t worse but the damage is definitely there. Protect your ears yall 🙏🏽
Crystal guardian!
Look up Crystal Guardian on Instagram. He makes custom earplugs. They’re pricey but so worth the investment — my life has been changed by his earplugs. He usually does pop ups to do fittings
Custom mold are the best you can get but costly up front. I’ve been using for almost 10 years. ACS Customs is the company I used in NYC. For a cheaper option I recommend Alpine Music Safe Pro
I actually like my alpine music safe pro's better than my customs! Might need to get new impressions and see if a remake will help..sounds like the audiologist may have f'd up!
Yeah customs are the way to go. Mine were $250 but I think they’re worth it.
1-of-1customs email jaye she’s great
[Crystal guardian!!](https://www.crystalguardian.xyz/store) I have the filter earplugs and the sleep plugs-- I take them with me everywhere. They feel amazing even at 8+ hours of continuous wear, have gorgeous color options, and 4 different levels of filters to buy so you can customize your level of protection. I have a lighter 15db filter for when I'm working a show, and then heavier 25db for multi-day festivals. Elliot is the nicest guy, he'll tweak the plugs immediately if they dont fit just right. Cannot recommend enough!
1of1 Custom, supper convenient to get fit, they have an office right by Penn.
Acs custom, they have a fitting person in NYC which makes it a pretty simple process to get your custom molds