Best earplugs for concerts, festivals, sporting & other loud events
If you're searching for the best earplugs for loud events, I’ve got you covered.
As a professional music photographer, I work around loud music constantly and have tried everything from cheap foam earplugs to custom-molded ones costing hundreds.
This article breaks down my top earplug recommendations based on the level of noise protection, comfort, and ease of use.
How is sound measured?
Sound is measured with decibels, also written as “dB”. The decibel scale ranges from 0 dB to 300 dB. Zero represents absolute silence, whereas three hundred represents the loudest sound in the world.
Loudest sounds in the world
Some of the loudest sounds in the world include a AC/DC concert (135 dB), gunfire (155 dB), NHRA Dragsters (160 dB), Space Shuttle lunch (165-170 dB) a 1-ton TNT bomb (210 dB) and a 5.0 Earthquake (235 dB). The loudest sound ever recorded was the Tunguska Meteor at 300-315 dB.
Why wear hearing protection?
The threshold for physical pain from loud noises is 120 dB. Hearing loss can happen from extended exposure to nearly any noise, but anything over 100 dB can cause damage within minutes.
How loud is too loud?
The safe statutory limit for noise exposure is 80 decibels (dB). Regular exposure to noise above this level can lead to irreversible hearing damage. At concerts, noise levels can reach up to 120 dB, which is very harmful.
Signs of Hearing Loss
There are many signs that humans show when their hearing begins to deteriorate. These signs included ear pain, ear itching, muffled hearing, pus leaking from the ear, tinnitus, as well as having a difficult time hearing what people say.
The question is, which earplugs will work best for you as a concert photographer?
With so many options on the market, ranging from $5 to $500, it can be hard to choose the right pair. After testing various earplugs, here are my top recommendations - let’s dive into my top picks in more detail:
Eargasm - High Fidelity
The Eargasms are my top pick for advanced earplugs. They come in two sizes and are the only triple-flange silicone earplugs that fit every ear canal perfectly. With a noise reduction rating of -21 dB, they offer some of the best protection in this price range. Plus, they come with a sleek aluminum case to keep your earplugs safe.
Alpine - MusicSafe Pro
I’ve used the Alpine Music Pros for years, and they’ve been incredibly reliable. They're unique in offering three interchangeable filter sets for low, medium, and high protection, with the high-protection filter being my go-to. The double silicone flange provides a great fit and long-lasting comfort (for example on concert tournaments). Offering sound protection between -16 to -18 dB, they come in one size and include a handy plastic storage box. If you’re ready to invest in top-quality earplugs, the Alpine Music Safe Pros are a winner—they even won the Red Dot Award 2015.
Etymotic - ER20 ETY & ER20SX
For concerts that last around 1-3 hours, I recommend using “musician’s earplugs” such as the Earaser, Etymotic ER20XS, or Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs. These models are specifically designed to let you enjoy the music at safer levels, while maintaining sound clarity and avoiding the muffled distortion that comes with traditional hearing protection. They’re easy to insert and remove, which is perfect for taking them out between sets when chatting with friends, unlike foam options. Plus, they’re reusable, making them a great value for regular concert-goers.
Etymotic ER20 ETY
Etymotic ER20SX
Etymotic - ER125-MPE
The Etymotic Music Pro Elite Rechargeable Active Hearing Protection is a cutting-edge solution for musicians who want to hear naturally while protecting their hearing. It uses active technology to constantly evaluate incoming sound and offers two modes of operation. In Low Mode, it provides transparent audio for sounds under 90 dB, while offering 15 dB of attenuation when sound exceeds 90 dB, reducing only the loudest sounds without distorting the rest. In High Mode, it delivers a 6 dB audio boost for sounds below 90 dB and 9 dB of attenuation for louder sounds, ensuring precise protection. The earbuds offer an impressive 16-20 hours of use per charge, with the case providing 15+ additional charges.
The overall sound experience was superb and natural and the different filter tips which are delivered with the earplugs, will ensure you’ll find the right fit for you. The drawback of the Music Pro is the amount of work you have to go through to enjoy their benefits.
HEAROS - Ultimate Softness
If you want to truly enjoy the music at a concert or festival and are standing some distance from the big speakers, or only exposed to high volumes for a short period, I recommend the musician's earplugs mentioned above. They offer excellent sound clarity while protecting your ears from harmful noise levels.
But if you're spending really long periods of time near the stage, especially near the speakers, I'd recommend foam options like the Hearos Ultimate Softness Series. These have 32dB noise reduction and offer better long-term comfort compared to other options like the Eargasm High Fidelity, Alpine MusicSafe Pro and the Etymotic. The added protection makes a big difference, especially at multi-day festivals where loud music can be heard for extended periods of time.
Summary
Most people would benefit from a pair of Etymotic ER20 ETY & ER20SX for almost any occasion, or the Hearos Ultimate Softness Series earplugs when maximum noise protection is needed. If you're a musician or professional music photographer around loud music regularly, it's worth investing in Eargasm High Fidelity or Alpine MusicSafe Pro.
However, it's best to invest in custom earplugs, even at a price of $200 or more.
Shopping List of the products I’ve mentioned
All available on Amazon. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I personally use and believe in!
Do you have any recommendations or personal guidelines that you find helpful?
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