Just as the voice is key to performing as a voice actor, the ability to hear and to hear well can make or break a career in audio recording and engineering or as a musician. Preventive measures, such as earplugs and regular health check-ups, are essential for keeping ears healthy.
Here is what you need to know about protecting your ears as an audio engineer or musician, plus some suggested brands to explore when looking for your next earplugs.
In this article
- Getting Serious About Your Hearing Protection
- Understanding the Risks of Loud Noises
- Assessing Noise Levels
- Earplug Brands to Explore
- Earplug Hygiene and Maintenance
- The Best Earplugs For You
- How Do You Protect Your Hearing from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Getting Serious About Your Hearing Protection
It’s normal for hearing to change as life progresses, but many earplugs are available that will ensure the health and well-being of your ears in the long term. Exposure to loud noise (sound is measured in decibels (dB)—the louder the sound, the higher the decibel) can impair hearing in many ways.
Protecting your hearing involves taking actionable steps to prevent hearing loss, such as using earplugs in noisy environments, avoiding prolonged exposure to loud noises, and having regular hearing tests.
The eardrum can rupture, the bones in the middle ear can undergo damage, or a musician can develop tinnitus, a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears or head. Earplug manufacturers often list the NRR (noise reduction rating) on their earplugs. The higher the rating, the more noise the earplugs will cancel. To determine which NNR rating is best for you, use a mobile app to find the dB level of the music you play. Then, choose earplugs with an NRR rating that will decrease the sound to a safe level, typically 70 dB or lower. Learn more about how to calculate NRR.
Understanding the Risks of Loud Noises
Loud noises can pose a significant threat to hearing health. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, an irreversible condition. The risk of hearing damage increases with the intensity and duration of the noise. For example, sounds above 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss or other hearing problems, such as tinnitus (a ringing sound in the ears). It’s essential to be aware of the risks of loud noises and avoid them to protect your hearing.
Assessing Noise Levels
Assessing noise levels is crucial in determining the potential risk to our hearing. A noise meter can help individuals understand the loudness of different sounds and take steps to protect their ears. The decibel scale measures the intensity of sounds, with higher numbers indicating louder sounds. For instance, a whisper is around 20 dB, while a rock concert can reach 120 dB. By understanding the noise levels in our environment, we can take steps to protect our hearing and prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Earplug Brands to Explore
When purchasing earplugs, consider other primary features. Ask yourself: What is the NRR? How will they fit my ears? Are they high-fidelity? Good earplugs are usually labeled ‘high-fidelity,’ which means they preserve good sound quality with minimal noise and distortion. In noisy environments, such as concerts and bars, it is crucial to use appropriate earplugs to protect your hearing. Consider regular hearing screenings to prevent potential hearing loss.
While custom earplugs are always an option, here are four brands for audio engineers and musicians to consider when deciding on their next pair. Additionally, remember the importance of ear protection when using power tools, such as lawnmowers, to avoid hearing loss in noisy environments.
Decibullz High Fidelity Earplugs
The Decibullz High Fidelity Earplugs reduce all frequencies by approximately the same level, which is perfect for engineers and musicians who require extreme sound accuracy.
Furthermore, finding a pair that comfortably fits your ears can be challenging, as so many earplugs are available in various shapes and sizes. Decibullz high-fidelity earplugs offer moldable (and re-moldable) earplugs with fantastic staying power. Just pop them in warm water and fit them into the exact shape of your ear for easy noise isolation and hearing protection. The earplugs have two parts: a professional filter and a thermoplastic custom earpiece.
NRR: 31dB
Vic Firth High Fidelity Earplugs
Vic Firth is a well-known drum and drum accessories brand, so although it may be a given that drummers best use the Vic Firth High Fidelity earplugs, they can be used by any onstage musician. The earplugs are made with silicone, and the design replicates the natural response of the ear canal so that sound is precisely reproduced as the ear would hear it, only quieter (a 20dB sound reduction across all frequencies) while preserving clarity and richness. If there’s so much noise around you that you need to talk loudly or shout to communicate with friends just a few feet away, it could indicate damage to your hearing.
These earplugs are universally fit and come with a carrying case and neck cord, so you can take them out without fear of losing them.
NRR: 12dB
EarDial HiFi Earplugs
The EarDial HiFi Earplugs are incredibly discreet and perform well, providing sound clarity to all types of musicians. Their size may benefit some but can pose a problem for others, so it’s important to remember that they are only 0.57 x 0.57 x 0.95 inches and 0.8 ounces.
The earplugs — made with soft, hypoallergenic clear silicone — have a precise noise filter and a net at the tip to protect earwax for maximum clarity. One of the best features of the EarDial HiFi earplugs is the accompanying EarDial app, which is available on iOS and Android. The app allows you to measure your surroundings’ sound level and provides feedback on how long you can safely stay in it. The earplugs come with an aluminum case. However, prolonged use of earplugs can lead to various ear-related problems, including temporary hearing loss.
NRR: 11dB
Alpine MusicSafe Pro Earplugs
The Alpine MusicSafe Pro Earplugs offer the best of both worlds regarding sound quality and fit. The earplugs come with three noise reduction filter sets ranging from 22 dB, 19 dB and 16 dB and have the benefit of acoustic filters to filter out only damaging sounds while talking with your fellow bandmates or listening to your music as clear as day. Protecting your hearing in various environments is crucial to prevent long-term damage and ensure you can enjoy music safely.
The earplugs are hypoallergenic and silicone-free and made with the patented AlpineThermoShape™, which gets softer with the accumulation of body heat, making them conform to the shape of your ears. The package includes a cleaning spray, carrying cord, case and spare earplug.
NRR: 11 – 19dB, depending on the filter used
Earplug Hygiene and Maintenance
Earplugs are an effective way to reduce noise exposure and protect our hearing. However, it’s essential to maintain good earplug hygiene to prevent ear infections and other complications. Discard disposable foam earplugs after one use, while reusable earplugs can be washed in mild soap and warm water and allowed to air dry. It’s also essential to store reusable earplugs in a clean, dry place to prevent bacterial growth. Following proper earplug hygiene and maintenance ensures that our ears remain healthy and protected from loud noises.
The Best Earplugs For You
Consider the size and comfort level of the earplugs. The earplugs should quickly bring the sound to a comfortable decibel range while maintaining quality and clarity. Besides your ears, earplugs are crucial in a musician or audio engineer’s life. They allow us to continue doing what we love healthily and protectively.
How Do You Protect Your Hearing from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Please comment and share below how you protect your ears and what your hearing means to you.
Comments
Hearing protection is very important.
Here are my tips:
1) Do not monitor too loudly. Generally try to monitor as softly as you are able while still hearing everything clearly.
2) Save louder monitoring for the end of a mix.
3) Take breaks of at least 10 minutes of every hour of recording/listening.
4) No alcohol or any other desensitizing drugs when recording/mixing.
5) Limit headphone usage (this also applies to ipods and other portable listening devices). Use studio monitors when editing and mixing.
6) Have earplugs available at all times for concerts, clubs, or other potentially loud events.
7) Get your hearing checked. Ringing ears can indicate potential hearing damage or possibly other health concerns.
Protect your ears!
Dan Friedman
Yes, take care friends. Long ago, I knocked many dB of top end from one ear by just walking in front of a big speaker at a pop gig. Fortunately, it doesn’t hamper mono work but does get in the way of my great love – live music from a full orchestra and choir.
Headphones easily reach damaging levels, particularly if used for long periods. For safety, I use mine on a flea-power valve amplifier rather than the beefy Mac outlet, and it lights a lamp if my listening level creeps up… which as we all know it does as the day wears on.
You can, as indicated by OIART, use earplugs – of the pro kind that don’t spoil tonal balance. Another approach is to have someone make you an attennuator for your cans that will ensure the monitoring outlet runs out of steam before your ears do. Take care.
Thanks for this post, Stephanie. Westone has been making custom-fitted earplugs for years. I’m on my second pair. An audiologist makes a mold of your ear canal (which is kinda icky). The plugs are made from the molds and fitted with the desired filter (15 to 25 dB). They’ll run you about 150 dollars. As a commercial producer for radio, I learned early on how valuable my hearing was. Once I started to play in a band, it became imperative to protect what I have. People must think I’m nuts when I go to a concert (even acoustic performances) and pop in the plugs, but I know they’ve saved me a lot of damage. One word of advice; use iPod ear buds sparingly.
I use earplugs when I mow the lawn and even when I use my too-loud blow dryer! I value my hearing too much to take chances!
I don’t watch anything featuring Fran Drescher without wearing hearing protection.
I hear ya! (no pun intended)-As an aging babyboomer, if I go to a concert (usually 60’s or 70’s music-sometimes doo-wop) I shove earplugs in-who care what people think? It’s important to preserve whatever hearing is left. Use plugs while using the snowblower, dryvac, and lawn mower as someone had mentioned.