Cutting Through the Noise: The Ultimate Guide to Best Earplugs for Concerts

There’s really nothing like live music. It’s an experience all on its own–with the energy of the crowd and the powerful feeling when you get to witness a moment captured in time of your favorite artist.

However, attending concerts can take a toll on your hearing. It’s not something we talk about a lot, but thankfully, in recent years awareness of Noise Induced Hearing Loss is growing. Preventing irreversible damage is why it’s so important to invest in the best earplugs for concerts. In this ultimate guide, we will cut through all the noise and provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision, including:

The reasons why earplugs are a necessity for concert-goers
The factors to consider when choosing the right earplugs.
The top earplugs available in the market.
How to properly use and maintain your earplugs to ensure they last longer and remain effective.

What happens if you go to a concert without earplugs?

This is definitely a question on people’s mind (we are looking at you should you wear ear plugs at concerts reddit and best earplugs for concerts reddit). There are two pieces of information important to understanding the risk of concerts without concert earplugs.

First, our hearing is the result of a series of finely tuned, complex steps in the ear that turns sound waves into electrical signals that our brain translates to meaningful sound. Once the sensitive structures of the ear are damaged, they cannot heal.

Second, live music like concerts can easily go over the threshold of safe hearing. Anything over 85db sustained can cause hearing damage. Concerts, for example, can sustain noise levels over 110db.

Hearing protection like earplugs are important for both the immediate effects of noise (the ringing ears or muting sound you might experience after a loud concert) and also the long-term effects that can build over time from your surroundings or too many concerts without protection. Over time, that small amount of damage can become a lot of damage and cause noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus–both of which are permanent.

To read more in depth about your hearing check out

Everything You'd Ever Want to Know About Earplugs Made Simple

Types of Earplugs for Concerts

There are several different types of earplugs to choose from for concerts. By wearing earplugs, you can reduce the volume of the music without sacrificing the experience.

Foam Earplugs

Foam earplugs are what most people are familiar with. They are inexpensive, mold with pressure inside your ear to create a seal, and are disposable. They are also usually easy to pick up at a CVS if you find yourself in a hearing pinch.

Silicone Earplugs

Silicone earplugs are reusable, moderately priced and frequently come in high-fidelity options that offer a better hearing experience. Because they are made of silicone they can be lighter and more comfortable than foam.

Wax Earplugs

Wax earplugs are similar to foam in that they mold to your ear using pressure from the moldable wax. They are also inexpensive and reusable for a certain time period.

Custom Molded

Custom molded earplugs are made from an audiologist’s mold of your specific ear shape. They are then fitted with the high-fidelity filters. They are expensive, but reusable and provide the most custom fit of all the options.

Unless it’s an emergency, we suggest selecting a high-quality earplug that are designed to reduce noise evenly across frequencies, preserving the balance and clarity of the music. These are ear plugs that allow you to hear conversation while you can still enjoy the music and protect your ears from harmful noise levels.

The Benefits of Using High Fidelity Earplugs

You might be wondering, are foam or silicone ear plugs better for concerts? Actually, the best rated earplugs for concerts, regardless of brand, are earplugs that are fitted with high-fidelity filters. (Typically this is easiest to find with silicone not disposable concert earplugs). They will give you a much better music experience–not just from a comfortable fit but from the filters themselves that literally filter out the noise so all you hear is crisp, clear music. It sounds unbelievable until you try it!

For more information on earplugs for sleeping try our blog:

Canceling Insomnia: Our Guide to the Best Noise Canceling Earplugs for Sleeping

Factors to Consider When Choosing Earplugs for Concerts

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a measure of how effectively earplugs can reduce noise. It is usually expressed in decibels (dB), the measure of noise–remember damage begins at 80dB. The higher the NRR, the more effective the earplugs are at reducing noise. When choosing earplugs for concerts, look for a high NRR to ensure maximum protection for your ears.

Remember that every 3dB increase is a doubling of sound pressure. The way that 'volume' increases is not linear. Even small increases are very tough on the delicate parts of your inner ear that pick up high frequencies and enable you to have a rich sound experience. A -3dB reduction may not feel like a big difference but it doubles the amount of time you can safely listen to that level of sound. More information on Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) here.

Comfort

The best earplug is the earplug that is comfortable for you to wear during an extended period of time. Look for earplugs made from soft materials that fit snugly in your ears without causing discomfort and brands (like EARPEACE) that offer different sizes.

In addition to the material, the design of the earplugs can also affect their comfort. Some earplugs are designed to be inserted deep into the ear canal, while others sit shallowly in the ear. Choose a design that you find comfortable and secure.

Durability

Concerts can be a sweaty and crowded affair, so it's important to choose earplugs that are durable and can withstand the rigors of such environments. Look for earplugs made from high-quality materials that are resistant to moisture and can be easily cleaned.

Additionally, consider the earplugs' design and construction. Earplugs with a solid, one-piece design are generally more durable than those with multiple parts. Also, earplugs with a cord or lanyard can be more convenient to use and harder to lose in a crowded concert venue.

Top Earplugs for Concerts

Now that we have discussed the factors to consider, let's dive into the top earplugs for concerts available in the market.

Why are EARPEACE earplugs different?

In short? Our three patents. We are the only earplugs on the market with this many patents and this advanced of a product.

Our patents are both for utility and design–meaning we’ve created something no one has and no one else can replicate that improves the utility (use) of wearing earplugs and the design of how earplugs work. This technology we’ve developed advances the experience of wearing earplugs, ensuring you have the most comfortable wearing experience possible, while the patented filter options can be tailored to your situational needs.

Our mission is to meaningfully change the way people consider their hearing health and options to protect it. We want high quality hearing protection to be as common as sunscreen.

When we started in 2008, barely anyone talked about hearing protection. But we revolutionized the market with a discreet, comfortable, high-fidelity earplug built not only for musicians, but for all the fans at the event. We are proud to be trusted by NPR Music, Metallica, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Red Bull, and The House Institute.

Obviously we think EARPEACE are the best high fidelity earplugs, but we believe so strongly in hearing protection that we think the right earplug is the one that works for you. So here are four other earplugs you might want to consider:

Etymotic Research ER20XS

The Etymotic ER20XS are nother high-fidelity earplug option. They feature filters with 20-dB equal sound reduction across the spectrum of hearing. They are reusable and silicone, but feature three flanges that fit deeper into the ear. They include 1 pair Standard Fit ER20XS High-Fidelity Earplugs, easy-to-install neck cord, and a carrying case that easily fits in your pocket or purse

Alpine MusicSafe Pro

The Alpine MusicSafe Pro has a filter reduction (NRR of 25dB) and comes with three different levels to customize your experience. Like other earplugs, they also come with a handy storage case and a cleaning tool.

All of the earplug options on this list feature a slightly different shape and Alpines also features a three-flange design to sit deeper into the ear. They are not made from silicone, so if you are sensitive to silicone, these might be the better option!

Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs

For a totally different shape–one flange in a bulb shape that sits shallower than the other options on this list–try the Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs. They also come with multiple ear tip sizes and come packaged in a hard-shell case, making them easy to carry and store.

Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs

Finally, if you are absolutely on a budget (ticket fees these days!), Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are a reliable option. With an NRR of 22dB, these earplugs offer decent noise reduction at an affordable price, but they do not offer any high-fidelity sound. It simply dampens all of the sound around you. These earplugs are a little different because they aren’t inserted into the ear canal, instead they are molded to fit over the outer ear.

Looking for a solution to sleeping with a snorer? Try:

Turning Down the Noise: The Best Earplugs for Sleeping with a Snorer

Some Common Questions:

Do earplugs make concerts quieter?

Yes! And if you are wearing high-fidelity earplugs like EARPEACE Music PRO you will not sacrifice any of the actual music.

How loud is a concert with earplugs?

All situations are individual, but most concerts have sound levels above 110. You can use a meter on your phone to actually measure and monitor the noise level. Try using the app NIOSH Sound Level Meter App

Where to buy concert earplugs?

Through EARPEACE.com, Amazon or, if you’re desperate and reading this on the way to your concert, try stopping at a CVS and looking in the sleep aid aisle. Again, the safest earplugs are the ones you actually wear! (But next time, make sure you have EARPEACE, we made an aluminum carrying case for your keys for just this reason!)

The Best Earplugs are the Ones you Wear

As is common with safety, the best earplugs are ultimately the ones that you can comfortably, routinely wear. Even though we believe EARPEACE earplugs will give you the best concert experience out there, we understand that the best solution for protecting your hearing is to find earplugs that you feel comfortable wearing. It’s so important to stay protected, we don’t care how you’re doing it! Since every ear is different it can take some trial and error to find the right fit for you. This is why we offer standard and small sizes, as well as easy returns and stellar customer service (say hi to Amber!). Here at EARPEACE, we want you to wear earplugs so that nothing gets in the way of music as it was meant to be heard.

Investing in the best earplugs for concerts is a small price to pay for long-term hearing health, especially if they can become a regular part of your life with loud noise. So, next time you head to a concert, don't forget to bring your earplugs and enjoy the music while keeping your hearing safe. Remember, your hearing is precious.

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