[strumminsix]

Bringing back this older thread....

I am going in for a re-fitting on my westones and curious if others experienced the problems I have:
1 - with only a 9db filter feels like what I thought the 15db filters would be like!
2 - uneven spacial attenuation. Heavier attentuation in front and behind (monitors & my amp) and less attenuation left and right (the rest of the band)
3 - when I sing they shift and open so mid-word they let in barely attenuation volume

So basically regarding points 1&2 I hear everyone but myself and I think 3 is just a fitting..

Help, please!

1. 9db is significant. You don't need to block out all sound to get protection, IMHO. I like more reduction for motorcycling but 9 db should work for music.

2 & 3 I believe these BOTH have to do with the earplugs fitting poorly. Sounds like they are too small and not forming a good seal.

Thanks, Rusty! Really need help here! When I pop these in things are quiet like a chill bar with a quiet jukebox. So when you have yours in everything is equally and evenly quieter?

BTW, had a follow-up appt yesterday with the ear doc but my cold had moved to my sinuses and now my ears are all blocked so I rescheduled.

[Rusty the Scoob]

I'm probably a bad example... I usually just use cheapo foam disposables from CVS and cut the tips off so they stick out less and don't get dislodged by my motorcycle helmet. I keep some in my case for when things get over the top loud on stage. They block out more highs than lows, but I don't mind that one bit. I have tried many other types but these are the most comfortable for me and actually sound better (and much flatter frequency response) than some of the ones I've bought at GC.



They're tightest the first time or two I wear them, then medium for the next 4-6 times, and then they're junk and I switch to a new pair.

I should add - I wouldn't run a chainsaw with these, or even a power tool unless they were all I could find. For power tools I use higher-attenuation plugs from Home Depot and for a chainsaw I use the same plugs plus with a big sound-blocking-ear-muff-style headset over them.

Regardless of what earplugs you choose, they should stay completely sealed if you talk, eat, drink, anything. Sounds like yours are too small.

[Pete B.]

Bringing back this older thread....

I am going in for a re-fitting on my westones and curious if others experienced the problems I have:
1 - with only a 9db filter feels like what I thought the 15db filters would be like!
2 - uneven spacial attenuation. Heavier attentuation in front and behind (monitors & my amp) and less attenuation left and right (the rest of the band)
3 - when I sing they shift and open so mid-word they let in barely attenuation volume

So basically regarding points 1&2 I hear everyone but myself and I think 3 is just a fitting..

Help, please!

Oh Man, Musicians vs Hearing Loss aint a pretty fight (Overall or Frequency specific Hearing loss / Tinnitus (rining in ear(s)) / Hyper-Acusis (sound causes pain in ear(s), Meniere's Syndrome (a loss of balance and/or feeling of "Vertigo/dizzyness due to hearing damage)... and a couple others.

Concerning Earpugs... I was told by an Audiologist that there is a federal law that says if your Audiologist (professionally fitted) earplugs "don't fit" that they are requiered to re-do them at no charge (within a certain timeframe that I don't recall now).
I've had a coupla refittings over the years, and the ones that didn't fit perfectly I had redone.
So Guys, If you get fitted for Musicians earplugs, and they don't feel right in any way, get them refitted right away.

The deal with Westone style earplugs and singing, in my expierience, is... when they are shooting the goop into your ear to make the mold, you need to have your jaw open wide and your muscles all around your head/ears positioned like you are belting out a strong vocal.
Also, You need to specify that you want the stems (length of plug that goes into your ear) left long, otherwise they tend to barely go into your ear far enough to maintain a "seal" during singing. You can always use a Dremmel tool (or razor blade) to "custom trim" them, if needed.
You need to tell/explain these things to the Audiologist specifically.
When you are not singing those muscles relax and form to the plug, when you do sing they stay "sealed" because they were formed to fit that shape.
Also, get a small tube of some Neosporin (or similar product) chapstick works well too, and put a dab on the plugs (spread evenly around plug, not too much/little) before putting them in, to creat a "gasket" which functions like any other gasket would (prevent "leaks" between two mated parts).
I have gone to several 4-day Pedal Steel Guitar Conventions over the years, where they have a full band playing from 9am to 2am for 4 days straight. The neosporin and a good fitting plug will keep your ear canal from getting itchy, irrataded, and in general allow you to wear them comfortably for a long time.

I have the 9, 15, and 25, filters. I use the -9db filters for gigging when needed (although I would prefer to not have to wear earplugs). I sometimes use the 15's on stage but more often when going to a show as a listener. My reccomendation on the 25's is, if you need 25's, you might as well just wear the industrial foam plugs. Having used/tested both, they are not much different.
One other thing about filters. Be careful when taking the earplug out, because that filter can pop out, and at a gig, they are hard as hell to find. I have lost a couple over the years to the tune of $40 bucks a pop.

Concerning the left/right - front/back attenuation issue... with ears being on the on the sides of our heads as they are, that's gonna happen. If a musicians ears were on the backside of their kneecaps (right in front of thier amps), we'd probably all be hearing just fine.
You could experiment with positioning yourself Perpendicular to the audience (like Buddy Cage and alot of Keyboard players do), and see if that modulates this phenomoma one way or other (just turn sideways for a few seconds on stage at your next gig). I know Brother... "Ear darts" from the Snare and/or nearby electric guitar amps can ruin your purpose for gigging and keep you wincing all night long.

Just curious if anyone thinks this about their band...
1. We don't want people to have to wear earplugs to hear our band play.
2. We don't want people to go to bed with a ringing in their ears after hearing our band play.

[strumminsix]

Pete you rock and thank you so much, brother!

I will take note of what you said and bring them with my for my appt!

The spacial thing feels like this - without earplugs I hear everything perfectly. Pop them in and I can just barely hear my guitar amp an it sounds like the monitors were dropped significantly but can still hear the rest of the band just fine. Does that help better explain my situation?

BTW, I said to my band last show let's keep the stage volume super low and let the mains do all the work. Didn't happen.

[strumminsix]

Thanks again, Pete! Re-fitted earlier. Deep stems and used a bit-block have my mouth opened.

Also got 15db filters (9db are in mine now) he said it *may* help with things if some things are disproportionately loud.

But he advised scenarios are unique and that it could just make the existing problem worse... We'll see!