In Need of Custom Earplugs for Heavy Metal Events

Hi! I'm new here and I just want to ask what earplugs do you guys use whenever you're in a very loud event. I always go to concerts(whether it's a big one or a small one) with a media pass from friends and I love to take photos that are brutal as f*ck. I'm having some trouble with my ears the past couple of months and tried every kind of earplugs(foam, self-molding, expensive and cheap). I'm thinking about getting a custom pair since I'm always at loud events and also because I want to pick a good color.

Do you guys know where I can get one?

For what it is worth, there are some reviews at https://www.wearplug.c​om …erts-guide-for-musicians/. For the most part these are "high-fidelity" earplugs designed for musicians. The reduce noise across a broad spectrum, not just some frequency ranges which leave you with poor sounding music.

An important criteria is the "NRR" rating where NRR = Noise Reduction Rating. This means that if the sound level where you sit is 110 dB and a unit like the Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs has a NRR = 21, your ear is effectively exposed to a sound level of 89 dB (110-21 = 89). 110 dB can cause damage to the ears after just a few minutes; do this repeatedly or for long periods and the damage can be permanent. Personally I would not consider anything with a NRR less than 20. Shoot for the final number (noise level - NRR) in the low to mid 80's. See https://music.eku.edu …es/ekuhealthand​safety.pdf for chart showing sound levels.

You can get some earplugs custom made by a professional but they are expensive and just by their very nature, you do not know the NRR. The same comment applies to some DIY custom kits that are available.

My wife is a drummer and used to do heavy metal gigs and biker rallies. Her only recourse was to attend a private specialist and she had several sets made up (some for pure noise reduction and another that she could use in-ear monitors). As per previous post it is expensive but about the only option available. I was about 8 years ago when she had them made but I think it cost in the region of several hundred euro to attend the specialist and have them made (we are living in Ireland so pricing probably is different).

John from PA wrote in post #18895134
For what it is worth, there are some reviews at https://www.wearplug.c​om …erts-guide-for-musicians/. For the most part these are "high-fidelity" earplugs designed for musicians. The reduce noise across a broad spectrum, not just some frequency ranges which leave you with poor sounding music.

An important criteria is the "NRR" rating where NRR = Noise Reduction Rating. This means that if the sound level where you sit is 110 dB and a unit like the Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs has a NRR = 21, your ear is effectively exposed to a sound level of 89 dB (110-21 = 89). 110 dB can cause damage to the ears after just a few minutes; do this repeatedly or for long periods and the damage can be permanent. Personally I would not consider anything with a NRR less than 20. Shoot for the final number (noise level - NRR) in the low to mid 80's. See https://music.eku.edu …es/ekuhealthand​safety.pdf for chart showing sound levels.

You can get some earplugs custom made by a professional but they are expensive and just by their very nature, you do not know the NRR. The same comment applies to some DIY custom kits that are available.

Thanks John from PA.

Just checked the links you sent. I think I tried that one called Eargasm already. To be honest with you, I think I have narrow ear cannals. That may be the reason why I've been having trouble with generic plugs.

I watched this on youtube yesterday while I was searching for event earplugs https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=NZfhrkejVOU They seem very interesting(at least, for me) so I checked their website. Their products are good but a bit on the expensive side. https://www.bigearinc.​com …t-earplugs-for-musicians/

I saw that they have providers near me so I'm probably going to buy this one . It's a lot cheaper than the others and I can choose whatever color I want. The NRR is 27 - 32 dB based on the product specs. https://www.bigearinc.​com …-firearm-custom-earplugs/

Might check the audiologists near my location first just to know the price difference before I decide.

shocolite wrote in post #18895239
My wife is a drummer and used to do heavy metal gigs and biker rallies. Her only recourse was to attend a private specialist and she had several sets made up (some for pure noise reduction and another that she could use in-ear monitors). As per previous post it is expensive but about the only option available. I was about 8 years ago when she had them made but I think it cost in the region of several hundred euro to attend the specialist and have them made (we are living in Ireland so pricing probably is different).

Your wife sounds like a badass! Well, I can only spend about $200 max for the earplugs. I'm in no need of a specialist for now...I think. LOL. I just want something that is not disposable and would last for at least a year.

Having been around race cars for most of my life and already having a major hearing loss from the Navy, I find that the in-ear plugs are just not enough protection. I know these muffs are cumbersome and don’t look cool, but they are very effective and inexpensive. Try a set and see what you think. You can even add plugs with these to help, if needed. Don’t end up like me with an 80 dB loss. Cool is one thing, but being able to hear the world around you as you get older is too important.
https://www.amazon.com …tle_o00_s00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

I can double down and maybe wear in-ear and ear muffs at the same time if it's really loud.

You are correct about ear canal width. I have a couple of sets of these

https://www.earpeace.c​om

They make different sizes. Maybe not that different than what you've tried in the past though unless you go with their custom fit option.