Great Deals Of Etymotic Research ETY Plugs Protection Earplugs
This was the first brand of earplugs designed with the music listener in mind that I heard of, but instead of ordering online, I bought a different brand that was available at the local music store. This was a mistake - they cost about the same, but they were absurdly large and simply did not fit in my ears at all, so I wound up buying these as well.
These fit perfectly in my ears and would fit just about anyone's ears, I expect, and do a fabulous job of filtering noise. I wear them while practicing the violin, and they reduce the sound of the instrument (long-term exposure to the violin can damage a violinist's hearing) and also the surface noise of the bow rubbing against the violin. While someone standing a few feet away listening to a violinist won't hear that noise, the hissing or scratching is very audible to the one playing the instrument, and wearing these earplugs allows me to listen to my sound with the ears of someone standing a few feet away. As a performer, this is very helpful as it gives me a much better idea of how I sound to others. I would highly recommend purchasing these if you are a musician or if you like to go see live bands, which can often be overwhelmingly loud.
I'm a drummer and definitely need ear protection, especially when playing in group settings. I'd tried regular earplugs and they blocked too much of the sound to hear myself and others. A different brand of musician's ear plugs were very uncomfortable and didn't block enough of the sound. The Etymotics plugs block enough to protect my hearing while still allowing me to hear myself and others playing. Just right!
ReplyDeleteWe use these at school for my son. He's in first grade and has sensory processing disorder, which makes it very difficult for him to tune out noises and focus in the classroom. These earplugs diffuse just enough noise to allow him to attend to his work and to the teacher. He also uses them during assemblies and in the cafeteria where it's very noisy. They're much more discrete than the headphones often used to help children in classroom settings.
ReplyDeleteBought these for a photo shoot at a concert. Was right up front near the monitors and was able to shoot without any discomfort and left them in for the entire 2 hours. Was able to hear everything and the frequency response was perfect. It was just like turning the volume down on the stereo - just made the sound lower without muffling it like regular foam plugs do. Was also able to carry on a conversation with them in as well. And the best part - no ear ringing for days after the concert either.
ReplyDeleteNOTE: The "large" size is the standard for adults. When this was owned by Earlove, the now "regular" blue earplugs were marketed as the "small child-sized," which I still consider more accurate. I've been told I have small adult ear canals, and the blue ones are too small.
ReplyDeleteThese are the best high fidelity earplugs you can get without having them moulded to your ear canal. It is literally like turning the volume down, rather than altering the quality of the tones in different ranges (bass, treble). The only downsides are not related to the product specifically: They're easy to lose or misplace (not because they fall out, just because they're small). They get earwax on them. Problems you'd have with any earplugs.
I'm in the habit of wearing these all over the place. Concerts, bars, street fairs. They're a great way to save your ear drums without sacrificing the sound quality.
Wore this for 3 days at Coachella and it worked GREAT and felt really comfortable. You still hear everything, the sound quality is still there but it just doesn't hurt as much and at the end of the night my ears weren't ringing. I even forgot I had it on sometimes. It came with a convenient case too. Only warning is be careful about the size, it came as a "Large Fit" which ended up working out for me but my friends had to return theirs for a "Standard Fit".
ReplyDeleteI forced myself to buy these plugs after I went to a Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax concert and had rining in my ears for the next 4 days. I am not as young as I used to be and I was really close to the stage in front of some large speakers. I saw someone wearing plugs like these and kicked myself for not investing in them sooner.
ReplyDeleteI bought the plugs specifically for an Iron Maiden concert I went to on Saturday 04/16/11 in Fort Lauderdale at the BankAtlantic Center (closed theatre - no sky) and I have to say they stood up to the test. They work exactly as described, they lower the volume that is all. In fact you can hear some things a little more clearly, but I think it depends on the event. I found Bruce Dickenson's vocals to be a little clearer.
My girlfriend and I were both wearing them and it didn't change the experience at all, it was just as enjoyable with the plugs in having the added benefit of keeping my hearing and not having any ringing in the ears afterwards.
I only have one complaint, but honestly I think this is just a physical constraint of the device itself, it was a little uncomfortable to wear until I found the sweet spot, then it felt just right. It is soft silicone (as opposed to flexible rubber) which is a big plus. This is not a big deal, just stating it.
What I did in order to make it fit just right was just rotate it slowly while in the ear and move it around until it just doesn't feel weird. Either that or just remove it completely and insert at a different angle. If it is not in just right it will distort the sound, make sure there is an air-tight seal from the ear canal to the plug, if there isn't you will know.
I recommend these plugs.
The ER20 plugs do work well. I'm a fulltime musician and love them. BUT, the last pair I got turned out to be the "Baby Blues" which are made "for small ear canals". The descriptions here are very weak and it's easy to make that mistake. The actual sound filter is inside the stem, but the silicone plug (the blue part on these plugs) is smaller than normal, too small for my adult male ears. I'm not sure the seller understands this. Be careful.
ReplyDelete