Protecting Your Hearing: A Guide to Earplugs

Ear Plug Basics

Attenuation

When looking at earplugs, the most important thing to look for on a package or website is the Mean Attenuation. This refers to how many decibels the hearing protection will reduce the sound, or how much the sound will be dampened based on quality of hearing product. If a given earplug gives you 20 db of attenuation, it will make 100 db sound like 80 db, without lessening the sound.

Proper Insertion

Make sure to insert all earplugs properly. This is done by putting your left arm behind your back and pulling your outer ear backwards from the lobe. Gently insert the earplug with a light twist with your left hand. Repeat for the other ear. This is sometimes called the ‘monkey grip’ (per KillNoise). Do not over-insert into the ear, only to the point where you can remove them successfully.

Proper Care

Keep earplugs in a case (most of those sampled below come with cases) and gently wash with soap and water – earplugs do need to be cleaned from time to time.

Brands

Of the brands surveyed below, none of these fell out at any given point, let alone felt like they might slip. They fit in securely and did their job, to varying degrees as seen below. I danced, I rocked out, I raged proper – the earplugs still stayed securely in my ear. While this article is based solely on my use of these individual earplugs, you may have a different experience wearing any of these, but generally and based on multiple experiences, both indoor and outdoor, I rated the earpieces and discuss their benefits and drawbacks.

Matrix Orange (single use) – Howard Leight

This pair is tough to get in but when in they don’t dull the music much, it feels almost the same as not having them in. The one time I wore these, I couldn’t tell if I was getting them in right, at what angle to squish them and how to get them into my ear securely. Although they had the sensation of falling out or not being secure, they never fell out.

Mean Attenuation at 2000 hertz: 36 db

Rating 2/10

EarPeace

These are the smallest pair yet and very light. They can hide in your ears so well, no one can see them at all. I can almost not feel them at times, but the benefits are amazing, it feels like I am seeing a show without the earplugs in. They can be a bit weird to remove, as there is a tiny rubber end that allows you to pull the entire plug out at once. Removal becomes easier the more you use them. Bonus – these come with an awesome case on a small keychain. One size fits all.

Mean Attenuation at 2000 hertz: 22 db

Rating 9/10

HEAROS High Fidelity for Small Ear Canals

Yes, I have small ear canals. Size doesn’t matter with ear canals though. I’ve had this pair for six months and love them but at times can feel tight. They fit well and can be angled in at three depths denoted by soft ridges on the plugs. Occasionally they will feel tight, but that could just be me. It comes with a decent case, which is always a plus.

Mean Attenuation at 2000 hertz: 22.5 db

Rating 9/10

Etymotic High-Definition Earplugs

This is the first pair of earplugs I had and I still use them on a regular basis. They have a cord that attaches the two earplugs together, so that you can put them in and take them out and let them hang around your neck when the music isn’t playing. They fit in nicely, much like the HEAROS mentioned above (Etymotic makes HEAROS) and keep the static out evenly without lessening the music experience.

Mean Attenuation at 2000 hertz: 20 db

Rating 9/10

HEAROS Xtreme Protection

At first I was skeptical of these, as they are made out of soft squishy foam. They make music easier to tolerate close up, without making it quieter. These ear plugs simply take away the bass and static that you don’t recognize otherwise. When away from the music, it can be difficult to hear so I have to pull one out slightly or altogether. They roll up nicely, fit tight and are soft to touch.

Mean Attenuation at 2000 hertz: 38.6 db

Rating – 8/10 – no case is the main drawback, but they could easily fit in your wallet

Kill Noise

Developed in Sweden, these small rubbery earplugs fit in easy with four depth levels and a rubber disk to stop them from going in too far. They definitely kill the noise, but only the bad stuff. The music gets through cleanly and clearly. It took a few tries to get them in right, since they were a bit too flexible and could have used more rigidity. Once they were in, they fit just right. They came with a snap-shut case, perfect for carrying them.

Mean Attenuation at 2000 hertz: 23 db

Rating – 8/10

I have a pair of ear plugs in my backpack, a pair in the glove compartment and always have a pair waiting for me to bring to a show. I can’t see live music without them now because I want to continue seeing and hearing live music for many years to come. Taking care of your hearing is the most important thing live music fans should do for themselves, to ensure that the music never stops.