Earplugs! Everyone should use ’em! And here’s why…
THEY’LL SAVE YOUR HEARING. Duh!
Did you know that musicians are four time more likely to suffer from hearing damage?
Now that you’re convinced, I wanted to let you know about an inexpensive, but effective pair that I was sent last year from a company called Vibes. I believe they strike a good balance between high-end custom plugs and the cheap foam earplugs that most of us probably opt for. Take a look!
Vibes Acoustic Filter High Fidelity Ear Plugs
These earplugs are relatively new to the market and are aimed specifically at musicians and concert-goers. Although I have no way of testing this, Vibes claims that they will reduce noise levels by up to 22 decibels.
In addition, the earplugs are also designed to increase clarity, which should in theory make any musical event more appealing and immersive. This is unlike what you’ll experience when using the cheaper foam plugs, which tend to just muffle the sound. Protect your ears without sacrificing sound quality!
In the Box
Inside the box you’ll find the earplugs themselves, 3 sets of soft-tipped reusable tips (small, medium and large), and a moulded case to keep them safe in transit. Everything is put together really nicely, also making these ideal to give a musician friend as a gift.
Style
As you can hopefully tell from the images, the Vibes earplugs are definitely a huge step up from your generic foam options in terms of visual aesthetics.
The low-profile design and glass outer-shell means that they are virtually invisible when worn.
Performance
After several years of being complacent when it came to loud volumes, I have now been regularly using sets of foam tips to protect my ears. Although foam plugs do reduce the sound levels, they tend to do it very unevenly and can often lessen the experience when at a concert or other musical event. This is definitely not the case with the Vibes, which do a much better job of lowering the volume whilst maintaining the overall quality.
I’ve worn them at several gigs over the past few months and have always found that they improved my overall enjoyment of the event. They’re definitely a good step up over my old earplugs.
Comfort
Generic foam earplugs tend to create a feeling of ‘fullness’ in the ear, getting hot and uncomfortable over time. This is definitely not the case with the soft-tipped Vibes earplugs, as on many occasions I have actually forgotten that I was wearing them!
Longevity
Although basic foam earplugs are a lot cheaper, you will tend to burn them fairly quickly. This is because over time they will become grotty and/or lose their malleability. The washable tips on the Vibes ensure that you can continue to use them over and over again, potentially saving you money in the long run.
When all is said and done, the Vibes are not that much more expensive than a tub of cheap foam options. You’ll get impressive noise reduction, an improvement in sound quality, longer usability, and a more hygienic product when compared with inexpensive choices. And they look stylish too!
Seems like a no-brainer to me! Definitely recommended for those looking for a product that will lower sound levels without sacrificing quality.
The only minor complaint I had when originally receiving the vibes earbuds was that there is no cord to hang the plugs around your neck. Happily there now seems to be an inexpensive cord available from Vibes. Perfect!
Pick up a set today at one of the links below!