Earplugs for concerts?

Do you guys use any kind of ear protection when you're hitting up concerts? 🤷

So, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of trying to save my hearing, and honestly, most of it is garbage. I tried those foam earplugs you pick up at a CVS—the kind factory workers probably use—and even just stuffing some cotton balls in there, but man, what a joke. 🤷 They don't actually balance the sound; they just aggressively murder all the high frequencies. You end up sitting there feeling like you’re listening to the band through a thick layer of mud or underwater. It totally kills the vocals and those crisp guitar solos. For me, it's just a dealbreaker. 😵

What's your move? Do you swear by specific plugs, do you just gamble with permanent tinnitus, or do you just avoid the front row entirely to stay out of the blast zone? 🤔

I’m always stuck right up in the front two rows—so yeah, definitely risking my hearing there. 😬
Besides, you said it yourself—using earplugs totally kills the vibe, and I doubt my eardrums are gonna explode from blasting loud music for two hours once every couple of months anyway. 🤷

It was actually mentioned over in the MA thread!

Looks like we're gonna need to hunt down some clips like those, I guess!

A plug in the ear is like a condom on a dick 🙂

Jason Campbell70 said:Earplug in the ear is like a condom on the dick. 🙂

Look, I mean... if it isn't some massive force, then honestly? It's not even worth it. 😁

nex, regarding hearing damage... after countless concerts and ragers, my doctor says my ears are actually fine. I just know that when people go way too hard with the volume, I'll duck into the restroom and shove some paper towels in, or if they're handing out earplugs, I'm first in line to grab them. The ear is like any other part of the body—it adapts to extreme conditions somehow 🙂

lonepanther4 said:I’m always grabbing a spot in the front two rows, so yeah—risking the hearing. 😬
Plus, you said it yourself: wearing earplugs kills the vibe, and my eardrums aren't gonna blow out from blasting loud music for two hours once every couple of months. 🤷

Straight up. If you're dropping the cash, you do it for the full experience, not to muffle it with plugs. 😉

feraltrucker5 said:I’ve personally tried those earplugs you can pick up at any local CVS.

Give me a break. Most people show up to concerts for the music. As for the ones just there to flaunt their outfits? Those earplugs work just fine for them too. 😂

I don't use any gear, and even if I ended up right in the front row, I honestly don't see the point in carrying it all around. 🤷 Besides, everyone's eardrums would probably just explode, and I'm not exactly a regular at concerts anyway.

I actually used them once before.

At the Sun station, though you really had to put in the work there. 😁

I usually just roll up some paper towels into two little plugs and jam them in my ears.
not really a fan of loud noises though 😳

I don't really use stuff like that.
Though I'm usually right up front in the first few rows, often right by the speakers.
But since I don't go that often, I can afford to 😬

I don't bother with the front rows. Too much shoving and crowding. If there's a smaller venue, I'll stick near the soundboard. Outdoors? I'll just find my own little corner of the world. 😁 I only drift toward the front if I need to grab a shot or some merch. 😉

feraltrucker5 said:Do you guys use any kind of ear protection at concerts? 🤷

I’ve messed around with those foam earplugs you grab at a CVS—the kind factory workers probably use—and even just plain old cotton balls, but honestly? Total garbage. 🤷 They don't dampen the volume evenly; they basically just murder the high frequencies. You end up losing all the crisp vocals or guitar solos, making it sound like you're listening to the band through a thick wall of water. It’s completely unacceptable. 😵

What’s your move? Earplugs, risking permanent hearing damage, or just staying way back from the front row? 🤔

Check these out: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

I used these before and they were killer... just do a little digging for some online shops within the EU so you aren't paying for shipping from the US—otherwise, the delivery might actually cost more than the plugs themselves. 🙂

I haven't really seen people doing that much around here yet, but honestly, it’s pretty standard once you get out there... I mean, those massive concerts can absolutely wreck your hearing, and the scary part is you don't even realize it's happening until it's too late.😬

I mean, if the noise is actually bothering you, why on earth would you push your way right up to the front? Or better yet, why even bother showing up to a concert if you can't stand the volume in the first place? 😕

I DON'T EVER WEAR HEARING AIDS AND I DON'T NEED THEM. MY HEARING IS PERFECTLY FINE AND I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES AT ALL!!!!

Benjamin King2 said:Check these out instead: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

I used those exact ones back in the day and they were solid... just do me a favor and look for some online shops within the EU first. If you try ordering directly from the US, the shipping fees are going to end up costing you more than the damn earplugs themselves.🙂

Honestly, it’s no big deal to order from the US. From what I remember, they usually charge you for shipping and then just void the transaction anyway. Besides, they aren't even that expensive, and the quality is top-tier.

Benjamin Ruiz60 said:Give me a break. Most people show up for the music, and for those who actually care about the sound, earplugs are a total godsend. 😂

Look, personally, I hit up shows for the music, but my ears get absolutely wrecked for three days straight every single time. I have zero intention of messing with my hearing. It’s sensitive; if I feel even a hint of pain, I’m out. I'm not playing games with it. And since we're talking about playing games—comparing earplugs to condoms? If you're the type of idiot who treats protection like a joke and pushes it until it snaps, then go ahead and deal with the consequences. Besides, sometimes the venue is so loud you can't even hear the damn song. And I actually want to hear the song.

As for plugs, I just use my own earbuds that have those silicone tips that seal the canal. Not only is the audio quality inside perfect :P, but they actually block out the noise from the outside. Works like a charm for me.

I used those little patches from the pharmacy near the Gremlins in the Swamp, back when it was around, maybe 2004.

I applied them during louder sections or crescendos, specifically in tracks like My Father My King.🙂