r/ElectricForest • u/Sad_Acanthaceae2737 Year 3 • Apr 23 '26
Equipment Yearly earplugs thread
Alright folks, is there any new technology we can try, or are we still stuck with the same either uncomfortable or ineffective earplugs? Eargasms are great at filtering out harmful noise and maintaining conversation, but they're hella uncomfortable wearing for long periods. Loops are comfy, but they're not really sound tech, just sound blocking. At this point, I'm just rocking the orange foam ones because they're cheap, comfy and I can carry a pocket of them and hand them out if anyone needs any. I just miss the Eargasm experience that first hour before that plastic starts to hurt my ears.
Yes, I sleep with the purple foam earplugs to block out the world. Sanity and sleep wins.
What're y'all using these days?
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u/skiing_dingus Apr 23 '26
go to your local audiologist and get custom earplugs. mine were even partially covered by insurance.
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u/TheStonedRanger93 Apr 23 '26
earasers Dawg
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u/emeraldcocoaroast Good Vibes Only Apr 24 '26
The fact that these are so slept on blows my mind. Low profile, comfortable, good sound reduction, what’s not to like? They make it easier to hear people in the crowds at loud shows imo.
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u/ContributionThat7332 Apr 23 '26
EARPEACE MUSIC PROS. Cannot say it enough! I have tried both the Eargasms and the Loops (at last year’s Forest to be exact) and I had the same issues.
Eargasms had good sound but didn’t stay in my ears and would start to wiggle themselves out. Loops muffled the sound, but it was low quality, and huge reverb when I was talking.
I did some research, and found the Earpeace Music Pros on Amazon, for about 40 bucks. (They have the regular ones that run you for 30 bucks, but the music pros are specifically made for musicians, and I wanted that extra peace of mind for protection. I also believe that the pros allow you to insert different filters, depending on what level of decibel you want to be blocked out).
And I can’t say enough how happy I am with my purchase :) I have been to several shows with them, and the sound quality is crystal clear, and the decibels have just been taken down a notch. Plus, they stay in all night, I forget that I have them in, there’s no discomfort, and there’s no worries about them falling out. And they come with a cute carrying case :)
Last set I went to was Subtronics in March (fantastic show, by the way) and I had a great time! Had my ear plugs in the whole show, didn’t feel I was missing out on anything, and still enjoyed the music. Would take the plugs out for an obligatory 1 or 2 times throughout the show, for pure curiosity of the sound difference, heard the music louder, smiled, shrugged, and happily put my ear plugs back in.
I highly suggest that you check them out!!
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u/Alarming_Rooster8131 Apr 26 '26
As someone who works in live music I second this. By far the most comfortable.
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u/RoboticKittenMeow CampCandyMtn🦄 Apr 23 '26
If you forget/lose yours, I had a buddy pop out some from the moon mats they sell and they worked just fine
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u/Sad_Acanthaceae2737 Year 3 Apr 23 '26
I can see that 🤣
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u/RoboticKittenMeow CampCandyMtn🦄 Apr 23 '26
Better than paying 15 bucks for a pair also lol (don't remember exactly what they were charging but it was INSANE just for a crappy pair of ear plugs)
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u/UnderSeaNemo Apr 24 '26
Haven’t seen anyone recommend unplugs yet so I will! They have a click button on the side of them that allow you to still talk with those around you with minimal reverb. Click the button back in to filter sound ! It’s all mechanical, no charging them or anything
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u/ceebeedub Apr 23 '26
1of1 Custom PROs are incredible. If you're camping, add on a pair of the SleepSound as well and you will be very happy!
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u/Kneecap_Blaster Apr 23 '26
https://www.prosoundtraining.com/2024/12/23/musicians-ear-plugs-comparison-study/
This article measures the frequency responsive a lot of common ear plugs and also does a good job at explaining what you may be hearing when you wear them and differences between them
- Custom fit will always be best
- Whatever "Hi-Fi" earplugs fit your ears the best are next best. None of these brands are using anything "special/secret" compared to the others
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u/morbidlybitchy Apr 24 '26
eargasms are my time favorite but i have either weirdly shaped or small ear canals i think. i can almost NEVER get ear buds to stay in my ear. but they’re comfy to me! i only ever use them when im close to the stage tbh i spend a lot of my time in the back. i know thats prob bad still plz dont lecture me
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u/morbidlybitchy Apr 24 '26
i sleep with macks squishy earplugs! they’re on amazon and i get the tan ones. tbh i use them regularly bc my cats fuck around at night and my fiance snores lol
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u/mofonga Year 3 Apr 25 '26
As a practical lady, I like the loops because they're easy to convert into dangling earrings, so I can remove them at will without having to put them away every time.
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u/Tequila-M0ckingbird Year 10 Apr 23 '26
I switched from the standard plugs to the newer loop earplugs... They actually made a noticeable difference for me. I have bigger ears and the loops fit very nicely into my ear so they don't wiggle around. Feels a little more like I can hear things clearer and they never go farther in my ear or fall out.
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u/One_Masterpiece_1332 Apr 23 '26
Loops are fine
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u/yesitshollywood Year 9 Apr 23 '26
Right, loops are the same as eargasms. Ive had a couple pairs from both brand.
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u/Kneecap_Blaster Apr 23 '26
Didn't you hear? They aren't "sound tech" enough /s
The MOST important thing is fit, as all ears are different and even pushing them in or out a millimeter will change their response
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u/One_Masterpiece_1332 Apr 24 '26
i also have had both. i would never go back to eargasms after loops
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u/yesitshollywood Year 9 Apr 30 '26
I wore the loops out for the first time the other night, and Im actually extremely disappointed. Normally I can hear other people im talking to, and I had to take the loops out in order to hear people. Im going to order another pair of eargasms.
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u/One_Masterpiece_1332 Apr 30 '26
how did you wear them out exactly? i find i can hear people more with loops than eargasms. but eargasms just hurt me too much to wear at festivals for days
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u/yesitshollywood Year 9 28d ago
Sorry, I used them for the first time at a show. They are not "worn out" if thats what you were thinking.
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u/Medic_bones Apr 23 '26
I like my eargasms! Make sure you try the other sizes of the rubber parts to fit better if they’re making you uncomfortable. I forget I have them in after a few minutes most of the time. A lanyard in a bright color is a must have tho and has saved my ass on countless occasions.
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u/queenkitty12 Apr 24 '26
Customs! Otherwise I second what someone else said about whatever fits you best as long as they have the filters designed for music. The original is the ER 15 from etymotic research.
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u/Dram_Good_Adventures Year 7 Apr 24 '26
I’ve been using the same pair of eargasm that I bought over a decade ago, they come in this metal twist case that make security profile you as you put them on…..best purchase I’ve made and lasted this long.
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u/minja134 Year 3 Apr 24 '26
I get the smaller sized eargasms, they still itch my ears a little, but they don't hurt!
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u/Parksy79 Something Something About Two Weeks Apr 24 '26
Etymotics or Alpine Music Safe Pros. I have both and swear by them.
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u/SullyEF Apr 24 '26
I have Eargasms and Westones both. Westones slide o out a little sometimes and I keep pushing them in. I prefer the Eargasms!
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u/bereceja1 Year 7 Apr 24 '26
I too have joined the custom ear plug group but before that I used Earasers. Comes in several different sizes.
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u/Ill-Parking-1577 Year 10 Apr 24 '26
Customs are the only way. Your hearing is priceless. I’m 35 with hearing loss and tinnitus.
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u/ThumpersMemoirs Apr 24 '26
I invested in these, they should’ve shipping soon but this may scratch your “new technology” ask.
https://unplugshearing.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooo4DpuuSkmnISdfFU2Ow33suwXvohhNDWaQayjPI0HLBrWIj7z
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u/cowboy_shaman Apr 26 '26
Loop are the only earplugs that have worked well for me.
However the responses in this thread make me want to look at custom earplugs…
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u/AggravatingStrain668 Apr 27 '26
if you have an HSA/FSA card see if you can get custom ones from an ENT it’s so worth it. if not i love eargasm and loop
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u/Sp-oon Apr 30 '26
Silicone earplugs to hand out and I sometimes use them. But I love Loop still they work great for me.
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u/TheLanceCorona Apr 24 '26
I will sometimes rock AirPod pros and put “transparency mode” on & it’ll regulate the incoming sound level but still sound good!
I started taking them less and just using eargasm because i was afraid if I’d lose them but now seeing some of the prices for customs I might just go back to using AirPods.
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u/evan274 Year 6 Apr 23 '26
Got customs from crystal guardian. Custom fitted earplugs are the only way to go imo, expensive but worth it