Exploring Sound Safety: Your Choices for Ear Defense
Rewritten Version:
Crankin' up the volume at your favorite live music spot, stadium, or club can be a thrill. But hey, who knew it could also be a recipe for hearing damage? Yep, you read that right. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that a whopping 1.1 billion adults and teens worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to dangerous sound levels.
So, how can you enjoy the loud beats without putting your hearing at risk? Simple—wear hearing protectors! And guess what? More and more venues are jumping on the bandwagon. In Minneapolis, for example, all bars and clubs featuring live music are now required to offer free earplugs! Fascinating, right?
In this feature, we're going to explore a range of hearing protection options made for people like you who want to protect their hearing while still losing themselves in the music. From earplugs to Custom-made options, we've got you covered.
I donned these babies in live music spots with hazardous sound levels, and here's my take on the top players in the market:
Auritech Music Hearing Protectors
These hearing protectors are made from a silicone-free, hypoallergenic material. They have a frequency-selective ceramic filter that lets conversation and background sounds sound normal at a reduced volume. Auritech claims that these earplugs can reduce sounds by 28.5dB at the highest frequencies (8,000 Hz).
Wearing these earplugs was a breeze, and within minutes, I had forgotten I was wearing them at all. Higher frequencies sounded crystal clear while I could still converse without a struggle. However, bass frequencies were slightly muffled. These earplugs come with a compact case, making them convenient to carry along. I found them easy to use, comfortable, and effective at reducing noise.
Auritech also produces earplugs designed for different situations, like the Sleep earplugs that filter out snoring and other disruptive sounds while keeping the wearer receptive to "alert" noises, such as alarm clocks or crying babies.
Priced around $30 on Auritech's website, these earplugs come with an aluminum storage case.
Alpine PartyPlugs
Alpine's PartyPlugs have recently been honored with the Red Dot Award 2015 for their stylish design. The earplugs have been independently tested and found to reduce sounds by 19.2dB at 8,000 Hz. Similarly, they are also made from a hypoallergenic material containing acoustic filters.
I found the PartyPlugs to offer full protection across all ranges of sound. However, I did struggle with hearing my companions clearly, especially when they were talking in louder voices. An insertion sleeve was provided, which added an extra layer of complexity in inserting the earplugs. Though comfortable, this insertion sleeve did not fit well into the plastic carrying case.
If purchased from Alpine's website, one pair of PartyPlugs costs $17.5, including an insertion sleeve and a storage case.
EarPeace Pro Earplugs
These earplugs are made from hypoallergenic silicone, and what sets them apart from others is that they come with two different sets of filters – one offering high protection and the other offering medium protection.
I found the medium filters made it harder to hear conversation, and higher frequencies sounded muffled, but this was not the case with the high protection filters. I was delighted with the flexibility provided by the two sets of filters.
These earplugs were extremely comfortable to wear and had a pliable feel. A tab enables easy insertion and removal of the earplugs, making them simple to use. The earplugs and filters fit well in an aluminum carabiner, ensuring that this effective and flexible form of hearing protection is easily transportable.
If purchased from EarPeace's website, one pair of HD Ear Plugs costs $17.95 and comes with three earplugs (one spare), two sets of different filters, and a storage case.
Etymotic ETY-Plugs
These high fidelity earplugs have eartips, stems, and end caps. Etymotic claims that they provide an almost equal sound reduction of 20dB at all frequencies, ensuring that music and speech remain clear.
When wearing these earplugs, I found that both music and conversation were reduced, just as Etymotic promised, but still clear and understandable. The earplugs were comfortable to wear and easy to insert and remove. My only complaint was that the end caps were slightly too long, protruding more than those of other earplugs. However, Etymotic also offers low-profile, stemless earplugs – ER-20XS high fidelity earplugs – that sit in the outer ear without protruding.
A benefit of the long end caps is that they connect easily to the neck cord included in the package. Removing the earplugs from the ears and hanging them from the neck during periods of safe noise levels is possible with this feature.
Overall, I found the ETY-Plugs to be very effective at protecting my hearing, comfortable to wear, and easy to use.
If purchased online from Etymotic's website, one pair of ETY-Plugs costs $12.95 and includes a neck cord and storage case.
Ultimate Ear Musicians Plug
If you're looking for comprehensive, personalized protection, consider self-custom earplugs. These earplugs are made from medical-grade silicone, allowing a precise fit for your ears. They can also be made to attenuate at either 9, 15, or 25 dB.
Though these earplugs were not custom-made for my ears, they still felt like a perfect fit. Partly due to the unique way they were inserted into the ear, which creates a total seal.
These earplugs significantly lowered sounds across all frequency ranges. Conversation was slightly obscured, but the protection offered was unparalleled. While adapting to these earplugs took a bit of practice, I found that the effort was well worth it.
If ordered from Ultimate Ear's website, a pair of custom-made earplugs would cost around $229, not including additional fees for postage and having impressions taken. The earplugs come with a storage pouch, cleaning tool, and fitting and cleaning guides.
Wrapping Up
These hearing protectors only scratch the surface of what's available for people seeking to protect their hearing without sacrificing their music experience. Cheaper alternatives like foam earplugs, available at drug stores, offer good protection and may even be provided for free at certain venues.
No matter how much you are willing to spend on hearing protection, it's crucial to prioritize protecting your hearing whenever exposed to dangerously high sound levels. Hearing loss is irreversible and can significantly impact your quality of life. Just remember, wearing hearing protectors allows you to experience live music, clubs, and other loud environments without permanently damaging your hearing.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that over 1.1 billion adults and teens worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to dangerous sound levels, underlining the importance of hearing protection.
- In the realm of science and medical conditions, hearing loss is a serious concern often associated with prolonged exposure to loud music and other high-decibel environments.
- The entertainment industry, including live music venues, is starting to acknowledge this issue, with more and more establishments providing free earplugs to their patrons, demonstrating a commitment to health and wellness.
- Music enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite tunes without fear of hearing damage by incorporating hearing protectors, such as Auritech Music Hearing Protectors, Alpine PartyPlugs, EarPeace Pro Earplugs, Etymotic ETY-Plugs, and Ultimate Ear Musicians Plug, into their entertainment routine.
- Aside from offering protection, these hearing protectors cater to various preferences and budgets, making it possible for everyone to safeguard their hearing without compromising their love for music.
