Complete Reviews Guide: Best Earplugs For Musicians

It seems like a silly statement, after all, don’t you go to a concert to hear the music?

However, if you think about it, the music at concerts is much louder than the noise you encounter on a daily basis. In fact, regular conversations measure around 65 decibels, whereas a music concert can be as loud as 120 decibels!

Exposure to noise this loud has the potential to cause permanent hearing damage, even a two-hour concert (let alone a whole day music festival).

For this reason, wearing headphones to a concert will greatly reduce your risk of long-term hearing loss.

They don’t block out the sound entirely and can actually make the music sound better. Overall, you hear the sounds more astutely whilst preserving your hearing, it’s a win-win!

There are several types of earplugs available on the market to cater for a wide variety of needs.

Some of these include:

These are designed for single use only and are generally made from foam. They do a great job at blocking out sound and are pretty comfortable. Foam earplugs usually muffle sound, so aren’t the best choice for musicians.

Designed to be used over and over again, these earplugs are most commonly made from silicone and require regular cleaning to keep them in a suitable condition. They’re great for those who use earplugs regularly as you know you’ll always have a pair, unlike disposable earplugs that may run out.

If regular, over the counter earplugs don’t seem to fit your ears properly, you can have a pair moulded to your specific needs. They’re more expensive than other types of earplugs, but are a worthwhile investment if you wear earplugs on a regular basis.

If you’re a musician and therefore frequently exposed to loud music, finding the right kind of earplugs is crucial. Use the following points to help make an informed decision.

To prevent hearing damage you want to decrease the volume of the sound, however, a musician does not want this factor to compromise the quality of the sound.

Foam earplugs will certainly lower the volume, but are almost guaranteed to reduce the quality and are therefore best avoided.

Look for earplugs labelled as ‘high-fidelity’ as they’re designed specifically for musicians and will sufficiently reduce the volume whilst still allowing you to hear clearly.

As a musician, there’s no point in not being able to hear the sound of the music clearly. Muffling the noise will result in being unable to hear the music accurately and therefore unable to perform properly.

If your earplugs are uncomfortable you’re less likely to wear them, therefore rendering them useless. Make sure they fit comfortably inside your ear canals. Due to the fairly low cost of earplugs, it’s worth experimenting with a few brands and styles in order to find ones that fit you.

If over the counter earplugs don’t seem to cut it, there’s always the option of pre-molded earplugs. Earplugs that are attached to a bit of string are a great idea as you can take them in and out without fear of losing them and wear them comfortably around your neck.

if you intend on wearing your earplugs on a regular basis it’s advised to buy a pair that will last you a long time. Reusable earplugs that are made from high-quality silicone are easy to find and are safe for wearing over and over again.

In order to keep your earplugs in top condition, follow the care guidelines and clean them regularly.

fortunately, buying a pair of earplugs won’t break the bank. Naturally, some are more expensive than others, but if you’ll wear your earplugs frequently it is a small price to pay to save your hearing.

If you’re buying disposable earplugs, pay close attention to how many pairs come in the packet to make sure you are getting value for money.

Reusable earplugs cost more initially, but when you consider you can wear the same pair repeatedly, they may be worth the extra money.

The use of multiple filters also protects your ears from harsh sounds without making it impossible to discern sounds like voices and high notes.

This is an important feature for a musician.

You can still discern sounds like voices when you have them in, so they don’t interfere with communication on stage, but they quiet these sounds to a safer level.

For convenience, these earplugs also come with a cord and case for easy use and storage.

They also have a ready-fit design, so you don’t have to worry about ordering the wrong size.

These earplugs also come with a cord and a durable carrying case. This can easily be attached to a key chain or music bag.

They're also hypo-allergenic, so any sensitive skin concerns shouldn’t be an issue.

These are also designed to fit into your ear comfortably and selectively cancel noise so only harmful sounds are quieted down.

They come with a cord and an aluminium case for easy storage between uses.

They also offer the added feature of sound isolation, so that a musician can hear their instrument to tune it on stage.

These earplugs also come with a convenient travel case.

You can easily fit it into your pocket or bag without fear of losing them when you aren’t using them.

Musician earplugs are an important part of the equipment that cannot be overlooked.

Not only is it crucial to safety, but more specifically, they're crucial to the protection of the sense that musicians use most.

While Beethoven made beautiful music without his hearing, that’s no reason to throw yours away.

Ear plugs are a small purchase compared to other musical equipment, but just as important.