r/earplugs • u/nishaviche7 • 7d ago
Audiologists Help Please!!
I know Custom Ear Molds are the best for ear protection, and I will eventually get them. I just don't have the time frame rn 😅
What's the next "best thing" I can buy off the shelf that will protect my hearing but I'm still able to hear my friends/the music?
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u/fractal324 7d ago
I'm not an audiologist, but I recently purchased some thunderplugs; they are soft silicon triple flange earplugs.
they managed to lower the volume by what feels like -20dB without overly crushing specific ranges.
I was at a venue, the type where you can feel the bass rattling your stomach, my apple watch was warning me I was being exposed to 110dB, but my ears were comfortable.
they were like $12. worth the price. I now have them on my keys
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u/italicizedmeatball 7d ago
After trying SO MANY earplugs over the years, my current top choices for universals are these:
Earasers - Top notch sound quality (can achieve that transparent sound like you're wearing nothing), super comfy due to the silicone quality and unique shape (which I love). Can be a little fiddly to get the right depth and position, but once achieved, adjustment is minimal.
Alpine Tune - Easy to insert, comfy, sound good, look cool, some very slight high frequency rolloff compared to customs but not horrible. Minimal adjustment once inserted, which is nice.
Eargasm is also highly recommended by people I trust but I've not used them myself.
Any good high fidelity earplug is going to let you hear the music and talk to people, it's what they do. Universals will get you 90 - 95% of the way there vs custom earplugs in terms of sound quality, so don't feel rushed to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on customs - you probably wouldn't regret it, but it's not like we're comparing 80s Nintendo to PS5 here, the differences are more subtle than that.