SISTER SF: Articles: Earplugs

Think this is a strange piece of equipment to review? Think again. What kind of DJ are you with damaged hearing? Not a very good one. Some quick facts: Sound is measured in decibels (dB) - normal conversation at 3-5 feet is around 6 dB. At 90-95dB of sustained exposure, hearing can be damaged - your ears hurt at about 125dB, and your average sound system at a rave or rock concert goes up to 150dB: bassbin junkies beware! Each increase of 10dB represents a doubling of the perceived sound, by the way.

Losing it?

At first, hearing loss may only be temporary, with hearing returning to normal after several hours or days. But keep exposing your ears to loudness and they'll eventually lose their ability to bounce back - permanent hearing damage is the result.

Hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can occur gradually. Lots of people never know they have a problem until it's too late. Quick tip: If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone less than three feet away you should be wearing a protective device. And the protective device should have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 20dB. (The math: you're in a club, the music is at 92 dB. Your earplugs have an NRR of 26: 92 - 26 = 66dB)

From the Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers (HEAR) site:

Pete Townshend: "I have severe hearing damage. It's manifested itself as tinnitus, ringing in the ears at frequencies that I play guitar. It hurts, it's painful, and it's frustrating."
"Tinnitus is a symptom of something wrong in your auditory system. The auditory nerve has been shocked and the brain interprets this as noise. This damage can exist in varying degrees. That's why when you experience a ringing in your ears, if it doesn't subside, have it checked out. And when you're going places where the music is going to be loud or you're working in a place that has noise levels exceeding normal standards, get yourself some earplugs."

So there you have it - Pete Townshend from The Who said it so it must be true.

A Deafening Good Time

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), some clubs in San Francisco are breaking the law, they're so loud. One, the Sound Factory, is at about 115 dB at peak times, and they say you should limit your time in the Sound Factory to 4 minutes and 43 seconds. Is that enough time to get a drink, dance and chat up that hot young thing over there? Uhhh...

Now that we know we should wear them, on to the earplugs! You probably think all earplugs are the same. They're not. The highest NRR rated plug is no good if it doesn't fit your ear, is uncomfortable, or pops out of your ear. There are several different types available out there, with the ability to attenuate (reduce) the decibels entering your precious ears, and that's what the following review is going to test: what's the best option for you.

ABOVE: Foam Earplugs.

Disposable Foam Earplugs

These earplugs are the largest selling earplug in the world. They're your standard foam earplugs - the kind you can buy at the drugstore. Check the packaging to get the highest attenuation though! They come in a variety of colors and shapes, some have cords attaching the two plugs, others have a handy-dandy case to hold them.

NRR: 15-33dB
Can you alter plug's attenuation? No
Music sounds: Flat and mumbly
Price: cheap: $1-$5
Availability: From drugstores everywhere!
Reusable? Maybe once, but the foam gets full of earwax, and they're so cheap you might as well get another pair.
SISTER rating: Always have a pair with you, at least to give to friends who forgot theirs! They're better than nothing!

ABOVEL Moldable Silicone Earplugs

Disposable Moldable Silicone Earplugs

These lumps of silicion "putty" are meant to be mushed around then inserted over your ear canal for a soundproof fit. They come in a variety of colors.

NRR: 10-33dB
Can you alter plug's attenuation? No
Music sounds: Flat and mumbly
Price: cheap: $7-$20
Availability: Drugstores everywhere!
Reusable? No, they get all dusty if you take them out and put them in your pocket...quite nasty on the whole actually.
SISTER rating: Who needs more earwax? However, they're better than nothing!

ABOVE: Rubber Ready-Fit Earplugs

Rubber Ready-fit Earplugs

These earplugs provide pretty good protection with a flat, hi fidelity sound. No custom mold needed - just drop by your local drugstore and get a few packs for you and your friends! They come in a variety of colors and often have an insertion tube to help you get them in, and a little case to carry them around in.

NRR: 12-33dB
Can you alter plug's attenuation? No
Music sounds: Pretty good - high frequency sounds will be dampened and dull though.
Price: cheap: $7-$20
Availability: Drugstores everywhere!
Reusable? Yes, and they can be cleaned with warm water or alcohol.
SISTER rating: Better attenuation than most disposables and longer lasting. A good choice for those not willing to go to the expense of custom fit plugs, but willing to sacrifice some sound quality.

ABOVE: Custon Musician's Earplugs.

Custom-fit Musician's Earplugs

Popular with musicians, a special filter allows the listener to hear music at a safe level without sacrificing sound quality. Instead of cutting out the high frequencies, musician's plugs attenuate all the frequencies evenly in relation to your hearing. An audiologist or other hearing health professional takes impressions of the ear canal (they squirt foam in your ear and it sets). The impression goes to an earmold lab for manufacturing. Custom earplugs are comfortable, easy to insert correctly, and filter sound better than disposable plugs - music doesn't sound muffled and dull, just quieter. They come with a little carrying pouch too.

NRR: 9-30dB
Can you alter plug's attenuation? Yes, custom plugs come in 9, 15 or 25dB reducing filters, plus a 30dB cap seal.
Music sounds: Clear and even, just quieter.
Price: Not cheap: may vary amongst H.E.A.R. Affiliates: generally around $150 a pair.
Availability: Check out the H.E.A.R. Affiliates page for an audiologist near you. In San Francisco call the H.E.A.R. Office (415) 409-EARS
Reusable? Yes, and they can be cleaned with warm water or alcohol.
SISTER rating: Great - well worth the investment.

The bottom line: get earplugs, make sure they carry a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 20dB of sound, and USE THEM. If you're worried about sound quality, get the musician's earplugs. We like 'em.