For maximum hearing protection, see: 噪音/聽力危害預防及聽力防護具選擇.
To protect your hearing, I usually suggest 3M 1100, but what if I want to protect my hearing at a concert or music festival? Normal foam earplugs will just ruin the sound.
This is when you need custom musicians’ earplugs! They fit your ear, attenuate the sound, and retain audio quality without distorting it!
Make the Ear Impressions with Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist
To make the ear impressions, you will need to find an licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist in your region. It costs round $70 to $100 for a pair, depending on where you are. DO NOT DO IT BY YOURSELF.
You should ask your audiologist to use a bite block when doing the impressions.
It takes around 10 minutes to get your ear impression on-site.
Order Your Custom Musicians Earplugs
I ordered my custom musicians earplugs from Etymotic, which is a trusted brand on the market. Most of the earplugs on the market also use their ER-9/ER-15/ER-25 filters.
See: https://etymotic.com/product/custom-musicians-earplugs-with-attenuator/
After you ordered it, you will need to send the ear impressions to the lab. You will also need to put your order confirmation in the box. Recommend UPS for delivery. Most of the time, ear impressions come with a box, but also recommend adding more padding.
Then, send the tracking information to the customer support email.
Although the website says it takes 15-20 business days to get the earplugs, I got mine within a week after they received my ear impressions.
Which Attenuator Should I Choose?
I would suggest 25 dB for all-around usage. This will work not only for concerts but also for fireworks, airshows, and noisy indoor gaming. I also bought an ER15B solid plug/attenuator for 30 dB attenuation as backup.
You can get a pair of ER-9 or ER-15 later if you think 25 dB attenuates too much. A pair of attenuators costs around $42 to $60 without taxes.
Which Color Should I Choose?
I got clear, but it really depends on your preference. Some people say to get a color so you can find them in the dark.
How Much Does It Cost?
I got mine for a total of $278.99:
- Ear Impressions: $70
- UPS: $20
- ER15B: $10
- Earplugs: $180
But trust me, they’re worth every penny.
I Don’t Have That Much of Money – What Should I Do To Protect My Hearing?
I’m glad you still value your hearing. Here are some affordable ways to protect it:
- Etymotic ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs: Best for concert, music
- 3M 1100: cheapest option, but not good for concert and music
All of these options, even custom earplugs, require proper fitting technique to ensure its effectiveness. To maximize protection (ignoring concert or music quality), use earplugs with ear muffs. See more at: 噪音/聽力危害預防及聽力防護具選擇。
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