Best
Earplugs For Beginners
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Overall: Made from gentle-expanding soft foam
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Best Feature: Designed with a tapered shape
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Overall Earplugs
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Overall: Designed with a discreet and low-profile shape
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Best Feature: 360-degree earphone rotation thanks to a lock-snap mechanism
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Earplugs for Professionals
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Overall: Flexible neck cord
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Best Feature: With filter tool and ACCU filters
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TedScore™: 10/10
Banging on the drums might be a blast, but let me tell you, my ears rang like church bells after every gig before I woke up. The adrenaline rush of live performances often made me overlook one important piece of my kit: Ear protection for Drummers.
I learned the hard way that tinnitus doesn’t sound like an old sci-fi robot; it’s bleeping annoying!
Protecting your hearing isn’t just for those who turn their noses up at a good rock session—it’s essential for all drummers who want to avoid the ‘eternal encore’ of ringing ears.
Ear protection comes in various forms, and choosing the right type is crucial. Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones are a common choice; they’re discreet and can reduce noise exposure significantly.
But there are more options to choose from aside from the usual earplugs.
So keep reading as I spill the bean of the best gear to shield those precious eardrums.
Trust me!
It’s a game changer, and your future self will give you a standing ovation for hearing this out.
Types of Ear Protection
My experience has taught me that the precise feel and sound behind the drum set are paramount. Consistent exposure to high decibel levels can lead to hearing damage.
It’s a good thing multiple solutions exist to keep my hearing sharp and intact, so let’s explore the best options available.
Foam Earplugs
The classic, squishy fellows are super affordable and everywhere. Foam earplugs are popular due to their affordability and ease of use.
They’re dead easy to use: roll them tight, pop them in, and voilà, they expand to fill your ear canal, cutting out a decent chunk of decibels.
D'Addario Comfort Fit Foam Earplugs
FEATURES: Made from gentle-expanding soft foam
OTHER INFO: Designed with a tapered shape
- Comfortable and secure fit for extended wear
- Cost-effective
- Reduction in high-frequency sounds
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Custom Molded Earplugs
I once thought one size would fit all, but it was a turning point when I tried custom-molded earplugs. They conform to the unique contours of my ears, ensuring a snug fit and outstanding noise isolation.
Westone Audio MACH 60 - Six Driver Earphones
FEATURES: Six balanced-armature drivers with passive crossover
OTHER INFO: Durable build with molded housings and metal faceplates
- Disposable earplugs
- Ergonomic design reduces listening fatigue
- Comprehensive frequency response and high impedance
- Comes with an electronic kit
- It is relatively expensive compared to standard earplugs
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
In-Ear Monitors
Here’s the skinny on in-ear monitors or IEMs: It’s like having your cake and eating it, too. The quality gobsmacked me.
The clarity of each snare hit and bass kick piped straight into my ears while keeping the loud environmental noise at bay is nothing short of a marvel.
Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones
FEATURES: Designed with a discreet and low-profile shape
OTHER INFO: 360-degree earphone rotation thanks to a lock-snap mechanism
- Durable construction for long-term use
- It looks virtually invisible when worn
- Includes various sleeves for a customized fit
- It is relatively expensive compared to standard earplugs
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Earmuffs
Sometimes, I prefer earmuffs, especially when I require maximum isolation.
They may be less common among musicians due to size and fit, but they offer solid protection and can be combined with in-ear options for extra isolation.
Vic Firth SIH2 Stereo Isolation Headphones
FEATURES: Isolation headphones with 20dB of passive noise deduction
OTHER INFO: 20HZ – 20kHZ Frequency response
- Headband padding adds comfort.
- Snug fit
- Other musicians may have different preferences
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Hearing Protection for Live Shows
I look for high-fidelity earplugs designed for live shows for musicians. This ensures that I get just the right amount of protection without sacrificing the quality of the music I need to hear.
Etymotic MusicPro Electronic Musicians Earplug
FEATURES: Flexible neck cord
OTHER INFO: With filter tool and ACCU filters
- Instantaneously protects from too much sound
- Enables clear and natural hearing of soft sounds and speech
- It is relatively costly compared to standard earplugs
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Selecting the Right Ear Protection
As a drummer, selecting good hearing protection to safeguard my hearing from constant exposure to high decibel levels is crucial.
Here's how I choose the best ear protection to meet my needs.
I always look for ear protection that feels good for hours on end. The best earplugs for musicians are those that you hardly notice because they fit so well.
I pay close attention to earplugs’ noise reduction rating (NRR). A higher NRR provides better protection from drum noise.
It’s about finding a balance that reduces the risk of hearing damage while accurately hearing the music—ear protection with an NRR between 20 to 30 decibels usually works for me.
I always consult an audiologist for professional advice and tailored ear protection recommendations. They often suggest options I have yet to consider, such as custom-molded earplugs, which can be a game-changer for hearing protection.
Ear Protection for Drummers:
The Ultimate Solution
Ear protection is non-negotiable for drummers. I’ve seen how vital it is to maintain hearing health over time.
Those foam earplugs you’ve spotted at gigs? Trust me, they’re a drummer’s best mate.
Custom-fitted options might cost a lot, but they snugly fit and provide top-notch protection. And let’s face it, they’re an investment in my craft and well-being.
In-ear monitors do double duty; they shield my ears and keep me attuned to the music.
Talk about multitasking marvels! I opt for over-ear muffs as they clamp down on the noise and let me focus on my drumming dynamics.
Remember, hearing loss is not curable.
Protect those ears so our music can always be a joy and never a muffled memory.
Before you go…
Explore the Top 10 professional drum sets for your next gig.
If my band played any louder, we’d need earmuffs and a bunker, haha.
Interesting points about the molded earplugs, Dave Danford. While they’re great for isolation, some might find them less comfortable over long periods. Also, considering the cost and need to replace them as ears grow or change shape, one could argue high-fidelity earplugs offer a good balance between protection, comfort, and longevity.
man, gotta say, once i switched to in-ear monitors, my whole playing experience changed. glad to see them getting the love they deserve. big game changer.
Dave, do you believe custom-molded earplugs are the best choice for students in school bands? I’m considering recommendations.
I’ve been wondering the same for my students. Foam ones don’t seem to cut it anymore.