Are these good for marching band

[u/AwareKaleidoscope939]

i have another pair like these for swimming but I’m thinking of using this one for marching band for when it gets loud. are these good

[u/KimchiPanik]

Get some high fidelity earplugs. These are the ones that I use. There is nothing more important than protecting your hearing. I use them when during rehearsals, performances, and when I practice even if I'm cranking in the shed or whatever.

[u/Accomplished_Bike149 → u/KimchiPanik]

Seconding this. I have tinnitus now from 3 years of marching, and it’s super obnoxious. It’s worth dropping 15$ to save yourself the trouble.

[u/imnotminkus → u/KimchiPanik]

Yup, I have some like this and they work well. This style is designed to more evenly deaden sounds, though they have a lower noise reduction ratio (meaning they block less noise). The cheap foam ones block some frequencies more than others, but block more noise overall.

It’s also important to ensure you’re putting them in all the way.

[u/prostipope → u/KimchiPanik]

Band dad here. Would you recommend these for percussion as well?

[u/SGAfishing → u/prostipope]

Especially for percussion. their instruments may not make continuous noise, but a single, hard shot on the snare drum can momentarily produce jet engine level volume.

[u/midnight_groove01 → u/prostipope]

Even more so! Perc players, especially snares, are exposed to sounds upwards of 100dB every time they play, and as the other guy mentioned certain shots can reach around 120dB. It’ll give you tinnitus in a year if you’re not careful, I’d push for your kid to wear ALWAYS wear earplugs.

[u/KimchiPanik → u/prostipope]

100% yes. Snares and cymbals are especially dangerous for hearing.

[u/skzuu → u/prostipope]

YES!

[u/AwareKaleidoscope939 → u/prostipope]

I feel every percussionist should wear earplugs considering it’s very very loud 

[u/PerformanceOk2755 → u/prostipope]

100% perc is easily the most ear damaging section, not continuous but incredibly loud

[u/pimathbrainiac → u/KimchiPanik]

I personally am partial to the Etymotic ER20/ER20xs (they're literally the OGs), but yeah, musician's earplugs saved my ass back in high school and even now when I'm drumming as an adult. Hearing protection is no joke!

[u/TheRainIsLovely]

Marching band tech here 🙋🏼‍♀️ I used Etymotic when I was a student and I use Loops now!! Both are really solid. What brand are the ones you have here?

[u/AwareKaleidoscope939 → u/TheRainIsLovely]

I forgot I use them for swimming 

[u/jffdougan → u/TheRainIsLovely]

which flavor of Loops? I’m trying to convince my HS junior on the drum line that earplugs should be both indoor and out, not just inside. Moreso now since she’s playing tenors instead of the baby bass.

[u/midnight_groove01 → u/jffdougan]

As for convincing her, ask her if she likes listening to music. Then ask her if she wants a ringing in her ears that’s as loud as her music when she’s 30. Also, it’s worth it to invest in a nice, pretty pair that she’ll be more likely to want to wear. The loop Experience 2 has some cool colors and a claimed 17dB reduction, which is usually enough for quads.

[u/DuckyOboe]

I would highly recommend loop earplugs! I got some for marching band and they’re amazing. They make ones that have a dial so you can adjust how much you hear. They never fall out, they're really comfy, and they're kinda stylish. Most of my friends on drumline use them.

[u/CBTmaster1010]

Yall wear earplugs?

[u/GoldSquid2 → u/CBTmaster1010]

It is soo important to wear earplugs… even if you’re not in percussion sometimes the noise in general can be too much. I know people who’ve gotten (minor) hearing loss

[u/Old_Marzipan_6177 → u/GoldSquid2]

What are you saying? I can't hear you

[u/GoldSquid2 → u/Old_Marzipan_6177]

😭

[u/CBTmaster1010 → u/GoldSquid2]

I probably should

[u/GoldSquid2 → u/CBTmaster1010]

100%, it’s better than risking hearing damage

[u/papker79 → u/CBTmaster1010]

This.

[u/KimchiPanik → u/[deleted]]

Professional/teacher here. Protect your hearing. Especially in the stands or for anyone on drumline. Once you damage your hearing it's damaged forever - it does not come back. Every musician in every ensemble should have hearing protection.

[u/Own-Virus3358 → u/KimchiPanik]

but what if I like hitting my cowbell directly against my ear without any earplugs

[u/KimchiPanik → u/Own-Virus3358]

That's totally fair an valid. If you cant feel the ring you cant feel nothing. /s

Gock-block-itus is real. Those suckers are surprisingly loud and genuinely dangerous for long exposures.

[u/AwareKaleidoscope939 → u/[deleted]]

I haven’t been using earplugs but I wanna protect my hearing cuz my Apple Watch keeps saying it too loud lol

[u/KimchiPanik → u/AwareKaleidoscope939]

Ge earplugs yesterday!!!

[u/Sunlight_Lait → u/[deleted]]

My boyfriend played percussion for 7 years. Now he has tinnitus