I’m about to start a new job working in an arcade and diner and want to wear some earplugs for when I’m working in the noisiest parts on-site, partly to protect my hearing but also to make it easier to hear customers and colleagues over the noise.
Do you guys have any recommendations for brands or particular earplugs types that would be good for this purpose?
You might want to have a look at musician ear plugs? They cost more than your generic drug store foam ones, but they have a filter in them that allows you to still hear vocals and what not when you’re on stage. I’ve used them in a variety of contexts outside of performing or attending a concert and they are nice to have. Mine came with a keychain holder, so I always have them on me.
For the use case scenario OP described I definitely agree that musicians plugs are the way to go. These Etymotics are what I use as my backups if I don’t have my custom molds with me.
I love my Etymotics. Bit pricey but so comfortable. I wore them for years as a musician and now for live shows.
Go to your local ENT and have yourself custom fitted for plugs. They will be shaped to your ear, and come with inserts for different levels of cancelling. Can cost up to $200 but better than going deaf or getting tinnitus. Source: am a musician and audio engineer and this has saved my hearing.
FWIW not everyone likes custom molds. My last job paid for them and some folks loved them, some did not.
I’d start with regular ear plugs. Try as many different kinds as you can get your hands on, see which ones work for your ears. Every job I’ve had requires them and they’ve all had different kinds; I tried what they had and picked my favorite.
I love the 3M classics and hate the flared green ones. The tye dye ones are just OK. The rubber Christmas trees feel gross so I prefer foam. Others I work with have the opposite opinion, it is very personal.
I got my custom molds for concerts from an audiologist, all in they were $150 and well worth every penny. Also, because they are for work, they got written off on my taxes.
The best ones are the ones you use. After that, focus on the NRR, and if you need to be able to clearly hear what people are saying to you, there are Earasers; they are a passive ear plug with a bypass membrane which lets speech through.
I use them on airplanes (I fly a lot), and I’ve used them at concerts and they really do greatly reduce excessive noise while still being able to have regular conversations.
Vibes are great. You can still hear people talk, appreciate music, and have awareness of things around you, but it is all down by a sizable number of decibels. They are also comfortable and don’t make the blocked ear feeling.
https://www.discovervibes.com/
I also like using TWS headphones with foam tips. I have SoundLiberty 79s and they are great, put some good foam tips on them and they act at earplugs as well. Maybe not as useful for your situation but maybe good for other times. The SoundLiberty 79s are not sold any more, not sure about a good replacement.
I’m not an audiologist but I go to a lot of shows and bars and I care about my hearing. I swear by Flare Earshades and I recommend them all the time.
I’ve tried Etymotics, Loops, Vibes, Earasers, and a couple other brands, and none of them have the clarity and quality of the Flares. I’ve worn them comfortably for 8 hours, and music sounds so good I forget I’m wearing them.
This is just my experience, and you’ll find lots of positive reviews for other brands, but I wanted to share mine.
I have another vote for loops, I now have the loop switch which I really like.
-33 dB foam inserts, plus - 33 earmuffs as long as you don’t need to hear
If you do, get some quality electronic muffs from Honeywell/Howard Leight or Walker.
I wear a pair of Loops Experience most days in the office https://www.loopearplugs.com/products/experience
