Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

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David Karol

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Jan 10, 2011
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I purchased a set of custom-mold Sensaphonics earplugs back in 2010. The molds were made at Northeastern University's Audiology Clinic. I opted for -15dB filters at the time.

Now (3 years later), they're not sealing anymore. A lot of low end bleeds through. I had another set of molds made, and the Audiologist recommended using Microsonic instead of Sensaphonics. The clinic has some sort of partnership with Microsonic, and could offer a better price with them. The filters are the same (Etymotic ER), so I had no objection.

What is everyone using for filter levels? I went with -15dB this time around too, but they mentioned I could swap filters at no charge for the next month. Has anyone used the -25dB filters?

I should mention that I'll rarely, if ever use the earplugs while mixing.
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

The Microsonics are fine. I went through the same issue as you and my audiologist mentioned the Microsonics because the turnaround time was much faster. Since the filters were still ER, I went with them.

With regards to the filters, it depends on what you're using them for. I've found that most of the time the ER-15 filters are fine. The ER-25 filters seemed to be much "darker" tonality-wise - less linear than the ER-15s. The only thing I've ever used the 25s for is mowing the lawn and insanely loud shows. And honestly, for either of those applications a pair of gun muffs or foam earplugs would have been just fine.
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

I have had a set of Etymotic filters (both ER9 and ER15) w/ Westone molds for some time. I have found that I almost never use the '15 dB filters; and even the 9s feel like more than enough attenuation for my own musical applications (mostly concert attendance and playing/rehearsing with my own band). Brad, the response chart you linked to helps explain why - the HF rolloff causes makes it feel like I've lost the transient response and 'presence' of the entire mix. Listening to someone else's mix, I pop 'em in only at the onset of discomfort or noticeable fatigue. It makes it very difficult to rehearse or perform with a band - transient timing information and tonal nuances are muted. Perhaps I'll try the 15s again; maybe the flatter response will make up for the greater attenuation.

On a similar topic, anyone ever cleaned the filters themselves? After several years of service, the membranes on the filter buttons are noticeably grimy. Surely, this isn't helping with aforementioned HF rolloff issues. Etymotic's site suggests " If dust or dirt accumulates on a button, remove it gently with a cloth or small soft brush ", which seems open to interpretation and prone to error...
 
YMMV, I have -15s and have no problem wearing them after getting a mix started for a crappy show, or when attending loud concerts for the whole show, no disappointment. Waiting until the point of discomfort is the worst, IMHO, it's like the worst of both worlds because once I feel actual discomfort something bad has already happened o my ears. Then I'm listening to the rest of the show with messed up ears and through earplugs, which is terrible. As I concert goer, I put them in on the front steps! I have Westone.
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll stick with the -15dB filters. FWIW, Northeastern's audiology clinic only charges ~$10 for impressions. If you're in the Boston area, they may be worth checking out.
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

Has anyone compared the ER9 inserts to the ER15s directly? I'm running the 9s and I know they're not as flat. Was the change in response really noticeable?
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

i generally wear the 25's for all the times its just too damn loud. they do not sound as good as the 15s but when I walk into a club and its just ripping loud Im happy to have the extra protection. when I have to stand next to a roaring stage for 8 hours, Im happy for the extra protection. when I am an audience member or mixing foh with a properly distributed sound system or nice line array in a good venue where I can keep a consistent loud but reasonable volume, then the 15s are great.
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

Greg Cameron said:
Has anyone compared the ER9 inserts to the ER15s directly? I'm running the 9s and I know they're not as flat. Was the change in response really noticeable?
Click to expand...

I have used the ER 9, 15 and 25. For most of my playing gigs (playing congas, 100-110 dBA at my ears) I prefer the ER9. The lesser attenuation below 1500 Hz compared with the ER15 is noticeable. The ER15 are the flattest up to 8KHz but the sharp drop off above 8KHz for all of them is very obvious. I have a moderate high frequency hearing loss and with the ER15 I find it difficult to play because I can't hear the high pitch rhythm cues clearly enough. I also tried the Etymotic MusicPro active earplugs, which preserve much more of the high pitch sound over 8 KHz that all the passives attenuate strongly. Those were by far the best for playing in time, however they almost completely killed all the bass below 125 Hz and took all the fun out of playing so I sent them back under the 30 day trial offer at that time. Of all these 4, I prefer the ER9 for playing music.

For doing sound, if I don't have to play, I prefer the ER15 or ER25. I don't like to mix with any earplugs, so I generally take them out to get the mix right in the beginning, and periodically to check the sound. Otherwise I usually keep them in if the SPL is over 100 dBA.

For going out to clubs with loud sound systems, the ER15 or ER25s are the best, depending on how deaf/stupid the DJ or sound engineer may be. Honestly, I try to avoid clubs with very loud music.

Over about a 15 year period I have had 2 different custom molds, plus had one re-done because it did not seal well. It is worth the time, effort and money to find a good audiologist who will do a good earmold and who will re-do it if it is not right. A poor or intermittent seal is really annoying and warrants getting a new earmold done. Also, sometimes I sing and I really don't like the "occlusion effect" that occurs if the earplug does not go deep enough into the ear canal. So by all means try to save money with the earmolds, but also try to get a guarantee that it will fit well.
 
Re: Custom Earplugs - New Molds, Filter Levels

Thanks George. I'll drop the extra cash for the ER15s inserts for when I'm mixing. Can't hurt to have both sets.
 
Ear protection comes in many different forms, shapes, and sizes, but the main reason why you’d be looking at various options to settle on any type of ear protection is to protect and preserve your hearing. It cannot be emphasized enough that you only have one pair of ears and essentially one sense of hearing of which any inflicted damage to it may be impossible to reverse. Extra special care needs to be taken of your sense of hearing as there are so many of what are now everyday life scenarios which can cause some irreversible damage to your precious sense of hearing. Naturally, though, there are times when you are on the hunt for hearing protection as a matter of convenience, such as earplugs for sleeping to reduce or block out any noise which is preventing you from sleeping. In this case, you’d then naturally be afforded a little bit of leeway in terms of considerations such as the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). Otherwise, if you’re purely seeking to protect your hearing in situations such as being exposed to gunshots, loud industrial environments, banging concert music or if you’re a motorcyclist, it becomes more than just a matter of convenience. There is less room for experimentation and making use of trial-and-error to find an effective ear protection product. Get it wrong just a couple of times and you can suffer some real long-term to permanent damage which you could have avoided by just being vigilant and taking the necessary steps to protect your hearing.
 
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