Earplugs

Music is empowering. Deafness is not. Musician's earplugs are essential for going to concerts and shooting at a firing range.

Carry one or more sets of musician's earplugs in your sound kit bag along with your retractable headphones. Like your extra headphones and splitter, providing extra earplugs can equip others less prepared than yourself. You can even give them an Empowerment card for the equipment to show them how to get their own earplugs.

Instead of shouting at people at a club, use your pocket notepad and pen to write messages to each other. Writing conversations is kind of like chatting on the Internet face-to-face.

Earplugs

ER-20 Ultra-Tech Earplugs

http://www.earinc.com/p2-specialty-musician-er20.php
The ER-20 Hi-Fi earplugs have a triple flange construction and provide an inexpensive, high-fidelity earplug that can be used in a variety of noisy environments. black color and a removeable retaining cord for convenience.

    * Low cost
    * 20dB attenuation
    * Music is heard clearly
    * Good frequency response accuracy
    * Available in a variety of colors
    * Supplied with matching cord and case
    * Cost: $15.00/pair - Buy Online


The original requirement for earplugs was recognized after I attended Electric Daisy Carnival 2007. Infected Mushroom was particularly awesome, but my ears rang the next day something awful, and I knew I needed to invest in some hearing protection if I was going to continue rocking to loud music without losing my hearing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earplug

Musician's Earplugs

Music is empowering. Deafness is not. Earplugs are essential for going to concerts and shooting at a firing range.

Carry one or more sets of musician's earplugs in your sound kit bag along with your retractable earbuds. Like your extra earbuds and splitter, providing extra earplugs can equip others less prepared than yourself. You can even give them an Empowerment card for the equipment to show them how to get their own earplugs.

Don't Shout, Write or Sign

Instead of shouting at people at a club, use your pocket notepad and pen to write messages to each other. Writing conversations is kind of like chatting on the Internet face-to-face. Or learn American Sign Language's 24 phonetic letter signs.

http://www.dontlosethemusic.com/home/areyouatrisk/earplugs/tips_using_ea...

"The hearing protector selection process should consist of more than merely scanning manufacturers' specification sheets and price lists. Wear test the products you intend to use, both on yourself (for extended periods of a few hours or more) and on small groups of employees. By developing your own firsthand knowledge and combining it with employee feedback, you not only improve the likelihood of selecting products your employees will accept, but you also will better motivate your workers by involving them in their own hearing conservation program."
—http://www.freehearingtest.com/nrr.shtml

Most people don't realise how important their hearing is until they start to lose it. Everyday activities such as using a phone or talking to colleagues become difficult. For those working in the music industry, the effects are even more profound - hearing is the tool of their trade and any damage can be devastating.

When the engineer of Sgt. Pepper, and even Bob Dylan himself, tell us there is a problem with today’s sound recordings, we should listen - while we still can.

Improvised Earplugs

For the cheap-skates out there...

Cotton wool is not designed to be a hearing protector.  Not only can it leave tiny filaments in your ear canal which can irritate the skin of your ear, it will probably affect your enjoyment of music in a club or at a gig and it will not protect your hearing effectively.  A much better solution is to use earplugs.

Top tips for using earplugs

Yes, you just have to stick them in your ear.  But there are a few things you should bear in mind when doing so.  Read our tips below to make sure your earplugs give you the protection they should.

General rules for any type of earplug

    * Inspect the earplug prior to use - look for any cracks, tears or imperfections.
    * To insert - reach one hand behind your head and pull your ear outward and upward to straighten the ear canal.  Sometimes it helps to open your mouth while you insert the earplug.
    * When the earplug is in your ear properly, only a small portion should be visible.  You should always be able to grab the end with your fingers to rotate it and gently remove it.

General rules for re-usable earplugs

    * Always clean them with soap and water then rinse and dry before each use.

Disposable Earplugs

    * Disposable models are meant for one-time use.
    * Before inserting the earplug make sure your hands are clean.
    * Roll the earplug between your fingers and thumb until it becomes a long, narrow cylinder and push into your ear and wait for it to expand.

When you have earplugs in your ear, you may hear your own voice as louder and deeper. This is a useful sign that the earplugs are properly positioned.