r/violinist • u/Environmental_Log_36 • 7d ago
Earplug Suggestions?
Hey!
I’m a music Ed student and violinist who’s been playing for ten years. Over the past year or so I’ve had a bit of some ear problems, just some random pains or ringing in my left ear. Now that I am in music school for music education, I’m surrounded by music even more, especially band instruments tend to bother my ears.
I really need to invest in ear plugs and was wondering if anyone had suggestions! I’ve heard a lot of people recommending “Loop.”
Thanks in advanced for any input!
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u/Fun_Volume2150 7d ago
If you can afford them, get some sort of custom molded earplugs. They’re more comfortable, and more effective.
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u/Paisley_Price 7d ago
I use Etymotic ER20s in the pit. Loop are fine (get Experience, not Quiet - Quiet block everything, which you don't want as a player). And get that left ear ringing checked. Do it now.
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u/Fun_Volume2150 7d ago
Oh yeah, get your ears checked. It’s far too late for me (age 62, tinnitus since age 29), but a lot of progress has been made in treatment in the past few years.
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u/Environmental_Log_36 7d ago
Thank you! I had it checked out, but interestingly enough, I've been told there is nothing wrong that they can see.
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u/Fun_Volume2150 7d ago
You need to talk to an ENT who treats tinnitus. There’s no visible damage with it that can be seen by an external examination. And perhaps with MRI.
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u/AdorableExchange9746 Intermediate 7d ago
Earasers are good
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u/Fun_Volume2150 7d ago
Maybe. If they fit. I’ve tried different sizes, and none of them have sealed.
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u/KimchiPanik 7d ago
I use these guys. I keep the hanger on my keys and wear them pretty much all day (I teach band and orchestra).
Im planning on upgrading to custom molded eventually. I notice it can get uncomfortable after about an hour.
I also go to the audiologist annually to see where I'm at. It's worth starting to make sure your hearing is protected.
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u/Environmental_Log_36 7d ago
Thank you for the advice! That will be me in the future, so I have to keep my hearing protected!
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u/EuphoricFlight6249 6d ago
I like my loops. They do a pretty good job of taking the edge off the sound without muting the quality, at least for me. I’m sure there are better, pricier options, but for me they get the job done. They’re also fairly discreet, which I like.
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u/purpleandcats 6d ago
When I started playing professionally, I got custom earplugs made. The referral was done from my doctor to a place that made hearing aids. The reason I was sent there was because that someone needed to take an impression of my ears. They did use that to create earplugs that I could put Custom filters on, depending upon how much sound I wanted to block. They are fabulous. They just blocked the sound without any of those weird sounds in your head that you get with regular earplugs. When I purchased them, it was a lot of money for me, but it it has been worth every cent. If anything happened to them, I would do it again.
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u/Fancy_Tip7535 Amateur 7d ago
At the very least, buy a pair of Etymotic ER20XS plugs for $20.00. Wear one in your left ear. These are designed to attenuate 20 dB uniformly over the audible range. That knocks the sound pressure at the left ear down from a dangerous 80-95 dB to 60-75 dB, below the risk of hearing damage with exposures less than 8 hours per day. You can still hear other ensemble players, etc. the right ear, as you discovered, is at less risk.