Best Concert Ear Plugs

You know the feeling on the train home. Everything sounds slightly underwater, there is a thin whine somewhere behind your eyes, and you tell yourself it will be gone in the morning.

Usually it is. That ringing is called temporary threshold shift, and it means the hair cells in your inner ear have taken a hit and are recovering. Do it often enough and the recovery stops being complete. That is how noise-induced hearing loss and permanent tinnitus actually happen — not in one dramatic incident, but one gig at a time.

Why not just use foam

Because you will take them out. Foam blocks high frequencies far more than low ones, so the vocals go muddy, the cymbals vanish and the kick drum turns into a dull thud. You have paid to hear a band and you are listening to them through a pillow.

Concert earplugs use an acoustic filter that reduces the level fairly evenly across the range. The band still sounds like the band. It is closer to standing further back from the PA than to blocking your ears.

What to look for

• An even frequency response. This is the whole point. If the product does not mention it, it is probably foam in a nicer package.
• Around 15–20 dB of attenuation. Enough to make a loud room safe, not so much that you cannot talk to the person next to you.
• Reusable and washable. One pair should cover a whole festival season.
• A fit you will tolerate for three hours. Comfort is what decides whether they stay in.

Ready-to-wear or custom?

Universal filtered earplugs such as the ACS Pacato range are the sensible starting point for most concert-goers. They are discreet, reusable, and use the same filter technology as custom sets. Browse high-fidelity earplugs.

Custom-moulded makes sense if you are at gigs constantly, if you work in venues, or if universal plugs have never sat comfortably in your ears. They are made from an impression of your own ear, so the seal is exact and they do not work loose. See custom options.

Getting a custom pair

Order, and we arrange an impression appointment with a partnered audiologist or registered nurse near you — about 15 minutes. Manufacturing takes 10 to 15 working days. Custom sets carry a 30 day fit warranty and a 5 year extended warranty.

Will I still be able to hear my friends?

Better than you can now, most likely. In a loud room you are already shouting over the PA. Bringing everything down evenly makes speech easier to pick out, not harder.

Aren't they obvious?

Clear and skin-tone options sit inside the ear and are essentially invisible from a metre away.

What about tinnitus I already have?

Existing tinnitus does not improve, but protecting what remains stops it worsening. Worth speaking to an audiologist if it is persistent.

Get a pair before the next one

Shop high-fidelity earplugs or call 1300 425 496.