Are you keeping your hearing in check? The World Health Organisation reports that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss, and more than 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation. When you’re young, it can be easy to overlook the issue of loud noises at gigs and big events, but often the long-term effects aren’t felt until later in life.
The quality of your hearing is vital if you’re working in music and production, so it’s important to take care of your ears. It’s easy to see why people might be put off, as using those cheap, foam earplugs results in a muffled, unsatisfying sound – that’s hardly how you want to experience your favourite band.
However, certain brands have invented more sophisticated earplugs that let you enjoy a full, balanced spectrum of sound at a more sensible and sustainable level. And some aren’t too badly priced, either. We’ve rounded up some of the top earplug products available to help protect your most valuable asset.
Vibes
Vibes Hi-Fi earplugs have a simple but effective, elongated plastic build that is easy to place in the ear for a 15 dB noise reduction rating. Each purchase comes with large, medium, and small silicone eartips. The right size will fit very comfortably, and the short plastic sound tube can be easily set against the ear so they don’t stick out, but are still easy to remove.
While Vibes are compact, the plastic frame is built of three distinct parts to maintain sound quality while lowering volume. The external sound chamber captures sound waves that thicker earplugs would repel. Then the sound tube channels those frequencies into the ear canal, which then run through an acoustic filter to remove any extraneous noise.
The only difference between the lower and higher price is the carrying case. A few extra bucks gets a metal keyring case, whereas the lower tier is a standalone plastic case. An attachable neck cord is available for purchase separately. Note: the metal case has been known to pop open, so make sure it’s shut tight.
Loop
Tomorrowland recently closed out another edition, and there were surely plenty of people there donning Loop’s Switch 2 Tomorrowland collaboration earplugs. Their presence is likely not just because of the official sponsorship, but because Loop earplugs are designed for enthusiastic raving. The circular build fits quite snugly in the ear, which can be a bit uncomfortable, but they will stay in no matter how raucous anyone moves when they hear their favourite drop.
All Switch 2 models also have three distinct sound impedance settings: engage, experience, and quiet. In terms of dB, they decrease from 20 dB to 23 dB to 26 dB. As such, instead of having to take them out when you go to a quieter area, simply shift the settings on each side by adjusting the built-in dial. It’s worth noting that with the snug fit, making those changes might require some shifting around of the entire earplug. Just make sure you have the right size silicone endings. The package comes with four.
dBud
dBuds provide maximum versatility of use. They have an adjustable volume slider, moving between impeding either 12 dB and 24 dB or 9 dB and 19 dB. Again, making the shift while the plugs are in could require some jostling around, but the function is as simple as possible. There is a slider on the frame that reveals a hole where extra sound can enter for the louder setting.
Where other earplugs required an extra purchase for a lanyard, all pairs of dBuds come standard with a connection lanyard to make it much harder to lose them. The lanyard is a soft material as well, so it will feel light against the neck as opposed to cheaper brands that use rubber links.
Another cool aspect that ensures maximum individual comfort is the eight different pairs of tips. They have silicone pairs that go from extra small to extra large. There are also three foam which mold better to the inner ear. They are stored in tight packages so it can be a little messy getting them out, but once you’ve found your proper fit there shouldn’t be any more strife.
Earasers
These earplugs are certainly the most intricate on the list, and that’s because they are intended to replace the need for custom earplugs. Unlike the other entries that have a significant amount of plastic in their build, Earasers are based on medical-grade silicone. The less solid material means placing them in your ears is a more careful process, but once they’re in, they gently fill out the inner ear. Nothing feels overly full. More like a layer of safety.
In terms of sound impedance, the different material also prevents any kind of adjustability, so Earasaers offers three models, decreasing volume by either 19 dB, 26 dB, or 31 dB. Regardless of the specification, the intricate filter provides an even frequency response.
These are definitely meant for more professional settings. Overly enthusiastic motion could launch them out, and the soft build means they could be ruined rather quickly once they hit the floor, unlike the thicker plastic models. Plus, because there are no separate tips, the entire earplug should be cleaned regularly (they provide a pack of wipes with each pair), and doing so requires the use of a specific tool to remove the filters.
Eargasm
Eargasms High Fidelity models are like the more rave-ready versions of the Earasers. They’re built with silicone, which means there are no separate tips to swap out, but each purchase comes with a small and a large size that are designed with a three-tiered conical shape. So, essentially, six different fits can provide up to 21 dB of noise reduction while remaining steady in the ears through some moderate headbanging. Definitely still don’t want them to fall on a dirty floor and get stepped on.
The filters can also be transferred from the large to the small sizes, but this process is quite simple. The filters are small discs, so just gently stretch the silicone and slide them out, then do the opposite when putting them in a new set.
From a cosmetic point of view, Eargasms have been embraced by numerous popular events such as Vans Warped Tour, EDC Las Vegas, and Sick New World, each with their own unique color schemes for a cool accent to any festival outfit.
Minuendo
Certainly the priciest option on the list, but the investment is seen as soon as you open the package. The box is well designed, with the earplugs themselves laid out before the buyer on a bed of foam like a treasure in a chest.
Below that is the box with the different ear tips. There are 11 different options to choose from. Three sets are in silicone: single, double, and triple layer. There are three sizes for the single and two for the double and triple. Then there are three foam sizes as well. Moreover, instead of being loose in the box, each set comes with a convenient plastic frame to keep them all together. The next layer reveals the zip-up carrying case and the complementary lanyard and cleaning brush.
The plugs themselves are great when stored in the case because they magnetically clip together. Instead of fishing for both of them in the dark during a gig, they’ll stick to each other for an easy grab. Most importantly, the Live 17 dB earplugs, with the right tips, will sit comfortably with a perfectly even sound reduction.
Unfortunately, the adjustable earplugs can be a bit tricky. Everything is the same as the Live 17 dB in terms of packaging, tips, case, and amenities. So if the adjustable function is kept on a specific setting, the earplugs will work just as well. The rub comes from trying to adjust the plugs while they’re being worn. A tiny slide runs the length of the frame. The directions recommend using a pinky, but depending on ear/finger size, it can be hard to move just the slider. What can happen is that adjusting the noise will also shift the plug in the ear, making the actual difference unclear and requiring further adjustment to make the plug sit comfortably again.
Harry Levin is a freelance journalist with credits in SPIN, Billboard, MusicTech, Grammy.com, Los Angeles Magazine, and more. His musical journey began 20 years ago with a Led Zeppelin CD. He played jazz trombone through college, produced large-scale electronic music events, and now spends his professional time writing and editing.
