Custom Earplugs - 15db or 25db?

[thebeat]

Hey guys, I just went to my audiologist and they created a mold on my ears to use as custom ear plugs. The filters they provide are either er-15 or er-25. The doctors recommended the er-25's, but I went through other hear sites like www.totalhearing.net and www.ultimateears.com and they say er-15's are probably the best for the ear protection when teaching drums or playing live shows.

er-15 = 15db
er-25 = 25db
So if you have Custom Ear Plugs, or know about the db levels, which one should I order? Thanks!

[Gabbleratchet]

Which?

I don't know the answer but I'll ask my research audiologist friend, Dr. Andy Virmiglio. He's also my drum teacher. He turned me on to the 15 buck model of the ER earplugs (the ones he uses; I think they're 20 dbs). I'll tell you this - whichever one you choose, you're making a wise investment in years of better hearing. I use them all the time now, for live playing. Hang with it - it takes a little getting used to, but after awhile it will just be normal.

[Gabbleratchet]

Go with the ER 25's

This is from Dr. Andrew Virmiglio, to whom I posed your question:

"Regarding which ER filters, if you're only getting one set of
attenuators definitely go with the ER-25s. I clocked my rim shots with Hot Rods
(in church!) at 140 dB peak SPLs!!!!!!!! So, if the ER-25s give you
25 dB of attenuation, (140 dB SPL - 25 dB = 115 dB SPL) you'll be
exposing your self to 115 peak dB SPLs. If you use the ER-15s then the
exposure level is 125 peak dB SPL.

The average level of exposure with 140 dB SPL peaks (at my church gig
with Hot Rods) was 115 dBA. So 115 dBA - 25 dB (attenuation with
ER-25s) = 90 dBA. According to OSHA guidelines you shouldn't be exposed to
90 dBA for longer than 8 hours at day. Also according to OSHA you
shouldn't be exposed to 115 dBA longer than 15 minutes a day. Bascially
this is saying that without hearing protection my gig shouldn't last more
than 15 minutes and with the ER-25s it can last for 8 hours.

http://www.oshanoise.com/osha_standard.html"

Hope this helps!
-S

[thebeat]

thanks!

Thanks so much for the help gabbler! looks like I will get both the 15 and 25's just to make sure my ears don't ring.
Much appreciated.