Custom Molded Earplugs
- DeathJag
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2297
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:44 am
Custom Molded Earplugs
Hey y’all I figure there must be some users who have custom molded earplugs, and atm I don’t need IEMs. If anyone has experience or preferences please share.
The reason is that I just realized why my ear canals are not shaped “normally” and that’s why they always hurt - because to get the seal I have to JAM them in and eventually my ear canals get pretty sensitive. And it also explains how certain earplugs (more comfy kind) magically worm their way out of my ears in the middle of songs, breaking the seal. (Suddenly, I become aware that pain is happening and that’s how I know the seal broke.)
So I’m ready to never have these problems again. I realize one must clean this type of earplug to avoid infection. I found these brands in a search. I’m tending toward the Westones...
Eartune Live $149
https://eartune.com/products/eartune-live
Etymotic $?
https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/custom-fit
EarzOn $? (They make you ask for a quote)
Protectear - $?
They have a billion earplugs that all look the same, the DB Blockers.
This is also the company who I contacted in December and have been *completely* blown off since. Dude kept promising to come take my molds and changed plans several times and never told me. Honestly, that guy has strung me along and I’d love to either a) out him to his boss and make him come take my molds; or b) not use the company.
https://www.protectear.com/us/products/db-blocker/
Earpeace - $225
https://www.earpeace.com/products/custom-ear-plugs
Westone Style ES49 Custom Musicians Ear Plugs With ER Filters - $199
https://www.earplugstore.com/westone-style-49.html
The reason is that I just realized why my ear canals are not shaped “normally” and that’s why they always hurt - because to get the seal I have to JAM them in and eventually my ear canals get pretty sensitive. And it also explains how certain earplugs (more comfy kind) magically worm their way out of my ears in the middle of songs, breaking the seal. (Suddenly, I become aware that pain is happening and that’s how I know the seal broke.)
So I’m ready to never have these problems again. I realize one must clean this type of earplug to avoid infection. I found these brands in a search. I’m tending toward the Westones...
Eartune Live $149
https://eartune.com/products/eartune-live
Etymotic $?
https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/custom-fit
EarzOn $? (They make you ask for a quote)
Protectear - $?
They have a billion earplugs that all look the same, the DB Blockers.
This is also the company who I contacted in December and have been *completely* blown off since. Dude kept promising to come take my molds and changed plans several times and never told me. Honestly, that guy has strung me along and I’d love to either a) out him to his boss and make him come take my molds; or b) not use the company.
https://www.protectear.com/us/products/db-blocker/
Earpeace - $225
https://www.earpeace.com/products/custom-ear-plugs
Westone Style ES49 Custom Musicians Ear Plugs With ER Filters - $199
https://www.earplugstore.com/westone-style-49.html
- marqueemoon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 7384
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
- Location: Seattle
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
I use cheapies called Radians that you mold yourself.
They’re about $10. I’ve used the same pair over 4 years and they’re still going strong.
They don’t have any fancy filtering of course, but I find that with the better fit I get more “feedback” of my voice when singing and other than whatever shortcomings my singing already has there are no pitch issues.
They’re about $10. I’ve used the same pair over 4 years and they’re still going strong.
They don’t have any fancy filtering of course, but I find that with the better fit I get more “feedback” of my voice when singing and other than whatever shortcomings my singing already has there are no pitch issues.
- DeathJag
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2297
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:44 am
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
Cool! I saw those and also the Decibullz. I suppose they’re worth a try, but after thirty years of bad fits I want to jump right to the fancy stuff. But maybe nowadays there’s no need? I suppose in the short run there’s no way to lose by trying either. Thanks!marqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:25 pmI use cheapies called Radians that you mold yourself.
They’re about $10. I’ve used the same pair over 4 years and they’re still going strong.
They don’t have any fancy filtering of course, but I find that with the better fit I get more “feedback” of my voice when singing and other than whatever shortcomings my singing already has there are no pitch issues.
Dan
- marqueemoon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 7384
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
- Location: Seattle
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
I hear ya (thanks to wearing earplugs for decades). If they turn out to be less than ideal it’s a cheap experiment.DeathJag wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2020 2:37 pmCool! I saw those and also the Decibullz. I suppose they’re worth a try, but after thirty years of bad fits I want to jump right to the fancy stuff. But maybe nowadays there’s no need? I suppose in the short run there’s no way to lose by trying either. Thanks!marqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:25 pmI use cheapies called Radians that you mold yourself.
They’re about $10. I’ve used the same pair over 4 years and they’re still going strong.
They don’t have any fancy filtering of course, but I find that with the better fit I get more “feedback” of my voice when singing and other than whatever shortcomings my singing already has there are no pitch issues.
Dan
They give you a lot of material to work with and a lot ends up in the outer ear in the little nooks and crannies. That really helps hold them in.
- Beltone
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2018 3:37 pm
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
I lucked out and my employer covered the cost of my molded ear plugs. If you are fortunate enough to have a health plan through work it's worth a look just in case.
- DeathJag
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2297
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:44 am
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
My god. This was before my tinnitus got so bad that I finally noticed it. Yeah I’m getting Westones now so it won’t get any worse. But I needed these a year ago, ten years would have been ideal. I didn’t even remember this thread because it’s been so hard to concentrate with this 14500 Hz tone all over everything.
- somanytoys
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 3325
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2017 1:59 pm
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
Damn. Glad you got some good plugs, and that insurance paid, but sorry to hear that you have tinnitus. I hope it subsides, but at least it shouldn’t get any worse anymore.
-David
It's a boost booster, to boost your boost - it makes your tone much muchier.
It's a boost booster, to boost your boost - it makes your tone much muchier.
- hexes
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 793
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2019 3:59 pm
Re: Custom Molded Earplugs
huge huge fan of westone. pricey, but I depend on their filters for my job in live audio.
however, i would only trust an audiologist to take my molds. too much can go wrong otherwise.
CAVEAT: if you're the kind of person whose weight fluctuates like me, your canal might change shape over time. my audiologist warned me about this and sure enough, my left ear stopped sealing after 2 years.
that said, they're awesome. best investments i've made for my life and career.
however, i would only trust an audiologist to take my molds. too much can go wrong otherwise.
CAVEAT: if you're the kind of person whose weight fluctuates like me, your canal might change shape over time. my audiologist warned me about this and sure enough, my left ear stopped sealing after 2 years.
that said, they're awesome. best investments i've made for my life and career.