[SuperNothing]

To preface this I know this technically doesn't have to do with earphones per say but it is similar to the work done for Custom IEM's and I wasn't sure what other forum it could go in. The mods are free to move it if they want though.

I do a lot of work with power tools in the course of building theater sets at my school. I have recently started to worry more about the effects it has on my hearing. I have been using the little disposable foam earplugs by E-A-
R and I know those have great sound reduction but I find that they are both uncomfortable and I can never hear what anyone is saying. As a result I frequently forget to wear them. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with custom earplugs and if anyone makes especially good ones. I was looking at both Etymotic and Westone but wasn't sure who made better plugs.

 

[OverlordXenu]

Lots of places do it. Ultimate Ears, AverySound, HearYourself.com, and others (just use google).

And, GO TO AN AUDIOLOGIST TO GET IMPRESSIONS MADE! It's at most $50 for both ears, and it's worth the price so you don't go deaf trying to do it yourself.

 

[SuperNothing]

I have already found a bunch of places online I was just asking for personal recommendations concerning which earplugs were better than others. I also had no plans to do the impressions myself. I am not that stupid.

 

[toastmaster]

I don't have any experience with the Etymotics but I do have custom Westone plugs. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Seriously, they're one of the best investments I've ever made. Paid for themselves the first concert I went to.

 

[episiarch]

I'm very fond of the non-custom Etymotic ER-20 earplugs. If you are thinking of getting the Etymotic custom earplugs, I would encourage you first to try a set of the ER-20's so you can see if the way that they reduce sound is suitable for your particular use.

The Etymotics are designed to be "high-fidelity" earplugs, reducing sound levels approximately equally at all frequencies. That's great for music listening, but I don't know if it will be equally great for power tool use. Though FWIW I use ER-20s with my old and very noisy vacuum cleaner, and like them pretty well for that purpose.

 

[in_utero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toastmaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't have any experience with the Etymotics but I do have custom Westone plugs. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Seriously, they're one of the best investments I've ever made. Paid for themselves the first concert I went to.

Looking at the Westones, they have different materials available; is vinyl or silicone more comfortable?

 

[toastmaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by in_utero /img/forum/go_quote.gif Looking at the Westones, they have different materials available; is vinyl or silicone more comfortable?

No experience with the vinyl, but the harder the material, the longer it tends to last for customs.

 

[IZCool]

Are you going to need flat frequency response? I guess for power tools it's probably not essential.
Flat frequency 'musicians' earplugs like the ER-15 are much more expensive than general purpose earplugs.
You could try going to http://earplugstore.com and see if you get some ideas from there.
Your best bet is to probably just go see an audiologist and discuss what you need.