[CAUT] Hearing Protection

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

At 00:20 10/28/2005, you wrote:
>I'm looking at two brands of earplugs for hearing
>protection: E.A.R. inc.  and Etymotic.  Both have ER-
>25 and maybe ER-15 filtered plugs that are custom
>moldable to fit.  Etymotic has a do it yourself mold
>kit; and E.A.R. sends you to an audiologist type to
>get the impression done for some $.  Etymotic plugs
>are 152.00 with free molding kit while E.A.R plugs are
>130.00 plus but maybe about $35 that will have to be
>paid to someone to get the impressions done.
>
>I have been using some Etymotic ER-20 (not custom)
>that I bought at the convention (cheap ones).  They do
>pretty well but quite a few pianos still bother me
>while tuning the higher octaves.
>
>I'm interested in your experiences with either of
>these brands or others and what level of filter you
>have found to be good.
>
>Thanks,
>Bob Hull


I recently got an audiogram and the ER-15 custom molded plugs. The ER-15 
has the flattest attenuation curve available from that company, and has the 
dual advantage of not only being enough to afford sufficient protection, 
but not too much to preclude tuning of the top octave where the piano is 
getting weaker. I've had my ER-15's for 8 years now.

I AM sold on aural protection. I've been using  _something_ for over 30 
years, and my hearing now is within the margin of error with my audiogram 
from 1989.
;-}



Conrad Hoffsommer

Early to rise: early to bed;
Makes a man healthy, and socially dead.