It is most unfortunate but musicians rarely seem to care about protecting their eardrums. When they play on stage or at a concert, it’s often, the louder, the better. However, long-term exposure to an average concert can permanently damage one’s eardrums and drastically reduce your ability to hear properly.
Our product reviews below describe 10 of the best earplugs for musicians we’ve found on the market today. These quality devices are designed for musicians to attenuate sound evenly across the entire frequency range without diminishing the sound quality. The result is what you hear will be close to the same clear sounds as before, only quieter.
The 10 Best Earplugs for Musicians
1. EarPeace HD Concert Ear Plugs
Best Overall
(4.8 / 5)
Style: In-ear earplugs | Noise Attenuation: 26db (19db NRR), 20db (20db NRR) and 17db (11db NRR) | Filters included |Standard and petite (sold separately) | Replaceable ear tips | Aluminum carrying case
The EarPeace HD model earplugs are designed for musicians and live music enthusiasts. The units feature various noise attenuation filters so you can choose the amount of volume reduction you need to be comfortable.
Invisible to provide in-ear hearing protection that disappears inside your ears. They are small and low-profile to make them discreet noise reducers.
Key Features:
- 3 different models: M for motorsports; S for safety; and HD for musicians and live music enthusiasts.
- A second smaller “petite” fit is sold separately)
- Exceptional noise reduction
PROS:
- Replaceable ear tips.
- Aluminum carrying case.
- Interchangeable filters to choose the volume reduction you need.
CONS:
- Some have had issues with the fit of the ear tips.
- A few have said the pull tab is too short for removing the earplugs.
Why We Love It – Exceptional clarity with different levels of protection. There is some high-frequency roll-off to benefit musicians who are sensitive to shrill sounds. A milled aluminum case with two chambers is included to keep your earplugs safe and clean.
2. Westone TRU Universal WM16 Filter Ear Plugs
(4.7 / 5)
Style: In-ear earplug | Noise Attenuation: 16db (7db NRR) | Medium and large ear tips included | Replaceable ear tips; Carrying pouch
Westone is known for its custom ear protection with very few compromises. These earplugs use the same professional filters as some of their more expensive models. This results in excellent frequency response and exceptional fidelity.
Ergonomic design offers wearers maximum comfort. The earplugs are made with environmentally friendly materials that are comfortable to wear for hours.
Westone’s unique musicians’ membrane ensures wearers that the music they listen to retains the sound equalization they expect and none of the original sound is lost.
Key Features:
- Exceptional clarity
- Two sizes of ear tips are included
- Top-quality filters
PROS:
- Comfortable ear tips.
- Carrying pouch included.
- Very good frequency response and fidelity.
CONS:
- More expensive than most others.
- Some found the high-end roll-off to be excessive.
Why We Love It – Westone is known for its top-quality hearing protection with very few compromises. The higher price may be worth it for musicians particularly sensitive to high frequencies.
3. EarDial Invisible Earplugs
(4.6 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation | 11 dB avg Mean 17.7db 63Hz, 16.8 125Hz, 18.6 250Hz, 19.7 500Hz, 22.2 1000Hz, 27.1 2000Hz, 26.7 4000Hz, 30.5 8000Hz) filters included |Fit: Variable with multi-layers | Replaceable ear tips | Aluminum carrying case
These extremely low-profile earplugs by EarDeal are built well and are comfortable and flexible. The hypoallergenic silicone, latex-free design with nearly zero extrusion outside the ear makes them almost invisible.
Almost completely invisible and reasonably priced. The attenuation filter keeps speech clear and authentic sounding. The app is quite useful and easy to use.
Key Features:
- Flexible and comfortable
- Zero extrusion outside the ear
- Clip-on aluminum case
PROS:
- Nearly invisible.
- Excellent quality.
- Well-designed application.
CONS:
- May be difficult to remove.
- The constant adjustment may be needed for proper fit.
Why We Love It – Almost completely invisible and reasonably priced. The attenuation filter keeps speech clear and authentic sounding. The app is quite useful and easy to use.
4. Rave High Fidelity Ear Plugs
(4.5 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: 19dB, 25dB, 27dB; 3 sizes included; Replaceable ear tips
A versatile set of earplugs that provide two different decibel reduction levels. Interchangeable filters allow different tip styles and silicone construction is comfortable with good attenuation.
The earplugs are almost invisible when you insert them into your ears. The low-profile design is comfortable for long periods of time and offers exclusive earwax protection.
Key Features:
- Silicone-based construction
- Interchangeable filters
- Color-coded tips
PROS:
- 2 stem sizes.
- 2 dB filters.
- Colors keep the earplugs more visible.
CONS:
- Not for underwater use.
- May block out some frequencies.
Why We Love It – These earplugs can be an ideal option for some. The filters are interchangeable and can be mixed or matched depending on tip style. They are versatile and work well for both playing and attending live events. A small storage pouch is included to keep the earplugs secure.
5. Vibes High Fidelity Concert Earplugs
(4.5 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: Up to 22dB; Fit: 3 sizes included; Replaceable ear tips
The Vibes HF Concert Earplugs are exceptionally comfortable and very effective at lowering volume without affecting the music sound quality. The tips fit comfortably and the outer handles are transparent making them less obvious than many other products.
The earplugs feature a glass-clear outer shell and clear form-fitting along with a low-profile design that makes them almost invisible when wearing.
A comfortable and snug fit is guaranteed for all ear sizes and types. The hypoallergenic silicone design means you can wear these earplugs for an entire music concert without any discomfort.
Key Features:
- Very comfortable
- Effective at lowering volume without affecting music quality
- Low profile
PROS:
- High fidelity filters.
- Different size ear tips.
- Very discreet.
CONS:
- Case is easy to lose.
- High frequencies may become distorted.
Why We Love It – These earplugs are a great solution for lowering the volume and are comfortable to wear. The filtering mechanism is hidden and still allows for good sound quality.
6. Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs
(4.5 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: Up to 21dB | Fit: 2 sizes included |Replaceable ear tips
The Eargasm High Fidelity earplugs reduce noise proportionally up to 21 decibels. They are made with a clear soft silicone that’s nearly invisible inside the ear. A waterproof seal keeps the units protected from moisture and gives them added durability.
Two pairs are included offering different sized shells to fit most normal to large ear sizes. Just insert the attenuation filters and they are ready to use immediately.
The earplug shells are non-toxic and comfortable. Made from hypoallergenic plush silicone that won’t cause itching or pressure pain. They are ideal for all-day wear at concerts, festivals, and long practice sessions.
Key Features:
- Non-toxic silicone construction is flexible and sweat-proof
- Nearly invisible inside the ears
- Durable construction
PROS:
- Very low priced.
- Hidden attenuation filter.
- Non-toxic silicone construction.
CONS:
- May tend to slip out of the ear.
- Filters can be easily lost
Why We Love It – These earplugs attenuate well and allow music to be listened to without being too loud. The silicone is non-toxic and flexible enough for a good fit. The product is also available in a smaller size for the same price.
7. LiveMusic HearSafe Ear Plugs
(4.4 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: Up to 29dB | Triple flange design; cone-shaped | Replaceable ear tips
Here is an excellent set of earplugs from LiveMusic that offers a choice of decibel reduction a little higher than usual. The units are ergonomically-designed allowing for optimal comfort and longer periods of wear.
The set includes two unique pairs of earplugs with variable protection attenuation filters that don’t muffle the sound you hear. Triple-flange design and cone-shaped, they fit a range of ear sizes to ensure a lasting seal for your specific needs.
Key Features:
- High-quality silicone construction
- High-level decibel reduction
- Two sets included
PROS:
- High fidelity attenuation.
- Heavy-duty construction.
- Two separate filters.
CONS:
- Some users complain about a poor fit.
- May not be as clear as some other brands.
Why We Love It – These earplugs may be a good choice for drummers. The precisely structured filter can reduce and weaken background and high-frequency noise. This keeps useful music and speech signals at a suitable level.
8. HEAROS High Fidelity Musician Ear Plugs
(4.2 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: 12dB |Comfortable triple flange design |Replaceable ear tips
The HEAROS High Fidelity Musician earplugs are designed to deliver a somewhat lower decibel reduction than most other earplugs. This gives them a clearer and flatter attenuation that works best for listeners at smaller events. A travel carry case is included for storage.
The earplugs seal out damaging noises to protect your hearing from band practice, traffic, or even construction equipment. They are comfortable to wear all day long. Made from soft medical-grade silicone, the hypoallergenic silicone construction is transparent and blends in with your natural skin tone.
Key Features:
- Transparent design
- Made from top-grade silicone
- Comfortable fit
PROS:
- Well-manufactured.
- Flat attenuation.
- Excellent value for the price.
CONS:
- Loose end caps may create a problem.
- Some users report lower quality with recent purchases.
Why We Love It – The product does an excellent job offering a lower decibel reduction when used with smaller events. The price is exceptionally low when compared with similar models.
9. Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs ER20XS
(4.2 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: 20dB |Comfortable triple flange design | Replaceable ear tips
Excellent high fidelity earplugs with a see-through noise attenuation filter, and rim. This helps to make the units imperceptible when worn. Another unique feature is the triple flange ear tips are tinted blue on the inside to make them easy to find when putting down.
The earplugs come with standard-fit 3-flange ear tips, a pair of foam ear tips, neck cord, and carrying case. The low-profile design fits snugly in your ear without protruding.
Reduces sounds evenly so that speech and environmental sounds are heard clearly and naturally.
Key Features:
- High-grade softened silicone
- Blue-tipped ear tips
- Carry case and neck cord included
PROS:
- Variable size tips.
- 20 dB attenuation filter.
- Made from softened silicone for comfort.
CONS:
- Large size may not fit everyone.
- Not recommended for sleeping or swimming.
Why We Love It – The product attenuates very well. Diminishing tunnel chambers allow the sound to travel further and reduce volume without diminishing audio quality.
10. Reverbs High Fidelity Ear Plugs
(4.2 / 5)
Style: Noise Attenuation: 20dB (Green) and 28 dB (White) | Hypoallergenic comfort tips conform to most sizes | Replaceable ear tips
Reverbs High Fidelity earplugs provide premium level hearing protection by reducing background noise and preserving audio clarity. Two filters are included: 20dB for listening in close proximity and 28dB for loud live concerts and for drummers.
The noise-canceling design blocks out background noise while preserving music and voice quality. The transparent hypo-allergenic silicone design and small size allow you to protect your ears while being subtle and nearly invisible.
Key Features:
- Two filters for different venues
- High-grade natural silicon tips
- Triple-flange design tips
PROS:
- Premium level protection.
- Hypoallergenic comfort tips.
- 2 separate filters for different dB protection.
CONS:
- May be too small for some users.
- Somewhat soft and difficult to remove.
Why We Love It – With dual filters to protect your hearing in average and overly loud venues, this product covers both bases very well.
Benefits of Using Earplugs
Whether you are performing in front of a small group inside a cozy café, or on stage in front of tens of thousands at a large amphitheater, earplugs offer unique protection for your eardrums. Musician earplugs have the additional capability of allowing you to continue enjoying the music without distortion.
The human ear hears its best when we are born. From then on throughout the rest of our lives, the sounds and frequencies we hear begin to decline. When we overexpose ourselves to loud frequencies, this degeneration in our hearing occurs more rapidly. Before we know it, we can no longer interpret the sounds properly.
Loudness is measured in decibels (dB). Sounds above 85 dB are considered harmful to our eardrums. As loudness increases, the length of time we hear the sound before eardrum damage occurs becomes shorter. By wearing earplugs, we are able to hear the sounds clearly, before any damage occurs.
Depending on the length of time exposed, the damage will be even more pronounced.
Here are some common volumes:
- Whispering, soft music 30 dB
- Normal conversation 60
- Portable radio 75
- Riding large motorcycle 100
- Rock concert 120
- Gunshot at 100 feet 140
When we are near high-volume speakers with excessive sound pressure levels, irreversible damage occurs to our eardrums and our hearing. Drummers are especially susceptible to hearing damage because of the excessive loudness of their instruments.
The earplugs that we are normally most familiar with are the foam versions we find on the shelf at drug stores or local supermarkets. These conventional earplugs will normally provide a 30 or 40 dB attenuation of all sounds across the entire frequency range. They are fine for sleeping or protecting the ears from water while swimming.
However, while these devices are effective at sealing our ears from water or reducing the entire range of sound around us, they are not ideal for enjoying music.
Musician’s earplugs are designed with a special audio filter that minimizes boomy and echo-like sounds. These specially crafted devices are particularly effective in allowing the wearer to hear voices and vocal music clearly.
They are manufactured by replicating how the human ear canal shapes sound when it enters the ear. By providing different levels of attenuation that affect different frequencies, the filters in musicians earplugs allow the original sound quality of the music to be preserved, but at a safer and much less destructive level.
By wearing the correct earplugs, you can:
- Reduce sound levels evenly
- Hear music and speech clearly and naturally
- Reduce or eliminate the risk of hearing damage
- Enhance your music experience while protecting hearing
- Let musicians hear their own instrument more clearly and their blend in with others
The easiest way you can become aware of potentially harmful sounds is by paying attention to the warning signs. What you hear may be harmful if:
- Sounds make your ears hurt
- You have problems hearing others speaking over the sounds
- You notice ringing in your ears after hearing a sound
- Sounds become muffled after leaving an area where there were loud sounds
What to Consider When Buying
Our Best Overall model earplugs are the EarPeace HD Concert Ear Plugs. They are specifically designed for musicians and live music enthusiasts. The units feature various noise attenuation filters to let users choose the amount of volume reduction they need to be comfortable.
That is not to say that one or two of the other models would not be the right choice for you. Many times, even the best product for nearly everyone will not be the best product for everyone else.
Some of the models we reviewed are more expensive than others. Some models may fit your ears better than others. Some may have features you prefer, such as being completely invisible or low profile.
It’s always a good idea to read each of the reviews carefully and then, when possible, listen to several models before buying.
However, this may be impossible to do, especially today when many of us are shopping online.
Frequently Ask Questions
Many singers and most musicians use earplugs so they can hear what they want to hear without excessive noise and at a comfortable level that isn’t damaging to their eardrums.
Singers in particular when performing in front of a live band will normally be exposed to excessively loud sounds, especially from the drummer. In addition, it can be difficult to hear your own voice clearly. This can result in over-compensating by singing louder than normal and often going off-key or straining their voice.
Hearing loss caused by being exposed to high-level sounds is a function of both the intensity of the sounds in addition to its duration. Some people are more susceptible to hearing loss than others.
Conventional earplugs muffle music, speech, and music. They also tend to reduce sounds more in the higher frequencies than in the lower and midrange frequencies. This results in voices and music sounding unclear and unnatural.
When foam earplugs are inserted deeply into the ear canal, they not only muffle the sounds but they can provide too much sound reduction when often only a small amount is needed.
As a matter of fact, it’s just as important to protect your eardrums from louder sounds as it is for you to protect your skin from overexposure to harmful ultraviolet rays from sunlight.
Final Thoughts
The winner of our best musician’s earplugs is the HD Concert Ear Plugs by EarPeace. The units scored the highest rating in our survey and we consider them the best overall musician’s earplugs on the market today.
The EarPeace HD earplugs are designed especially for musicians and live music enthusiasts. The units feature various noise attenuation filters so you can choose the amount of volume reduction you need to be comfortable.
No matter where you happen to be when subjected to loud noises, these earplugs can help you hear conversations or music better. In addition, they will also protect your ears from loud noises that can occur almost anywhere.
So, which of these have you already tried using?
Have we missed your favorite earplugs?
Please let our team know by leaving a comment in the section below. We’ll be happy to get back to you!