Custom Molded Earbuds

[frambooz]

I'm looking into getting custom molded earbuds. You know, the ones where they squirt your ear full of foam, let it harden, then mold a silicone earbud that fits your ear perfectly. I'm talking earbuds with a little speaker inside (not earplugs).

Two reasons:

1) Save my hearing while I still can during band practice and gigs
2) Listen to click/backingtracks/use it as an in-ear monitor for live gigs

The problem is, I don't know where to start looking. What brands are used? What prices should I expect? What extra equipment do I need (to get the sound from the board to my ear) etc?

Tips welcome!

[Fredrik]

I know of etymotic research and elacin, both are custom molded earplugs with replacable filters for different amounts of gr. I think they both are available as in ear monitors as well.

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Musicians Earplugs

Elcea

[numrologst]

go to the ent to get mold of your ear
send to etymoic to get the drives
hear tech wireless system

[joeq]

also check out E.A.R.

they often show up at audio shows, gun shows, outdoor shows and motorcycle shows so you can get the molds done for the price of show admission. Probably cheaper than going to the doctor.

[Fredrik]

I got curious and found these as well which seems to be what you are looking for.

Ear monitors, plugs and hearing protectors - Sensaphonics

[tamakid1292]

I think you have to go to like a ear doctor.

[frambooz]

Excellent replies, thanks guys!

[Sqye]

.

pro:
Ear Monitors (R) brand earphones - professional, musicians' personal monitors by Future Sonics

softwer wear - VERY comfortable, and only $149:
SofterWear (TM) - custom sleeves for personal monitors by Future Sonics

these guys are AWESOME. fast, and GREAT customer service. they're in PA.

speak with Dave. he can probably reccommend an audiologist in your area (where you'll have your molds done first).

there are different models available in different price ranges.
you can spend a LOT, if you want to.

you have to have the molds done by your local audiologist, then send the molds to FutureSonics (or wherever), and then test the actual AUDIO PLAYBACK SYSTEMS / SPEAKERS, etc. before you order the proper headphones / playback system that's right for YOU, indivually. if you're REALLY into instant gratification, like most of us musicians, you're going to actually have to TEST YOUR PATIENCE with this, as it is NOT an instantaneous process. at quickest, it's still going to be at LEAST a few weeks, if not closer to a month +

future sonics ROCKS. and no i don't work for them. i used them twice for 2 different singers for 2 totally different project in ny and la (oh, yeah, and ME - that makes 3) and they were great.

good luck.

.

[frambooz]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

I got curious and found these as well which seems to be what you are looking for.

Ear monitors, plugs and hearing protectors - Sensaphonics

Their contact form has these two check marks at the bottom that gave me a chuckle:

[ ] Please add me to your email list for company news.
[ ] Yes, seriously, add me to the mailing list.

(I didn't check any of them. No, seriously.)

[Sqye]

Originally Posted by frambooz

(I didn't check any of them. No, seriously.)

lol

[frambooz]

Originally Posted by Sqye

.
if you're REALLY into instant gratification, like most of us musicians, you're going to actually have to TEST YOUR PATIENCE with this, as it is NOT an instantaneous process. at quickest, it's still going to be at LEAST a few weeks, if not closer to a month +

future sonics ROCKS.

good luck.

.

Thanks. I can probably survive another gig or two without them (I've been fine so far, right? Right? ). I'm a firm believer in making sure you buy the right thing, so I'm in no rush to spend cash.

Also, my low amount of disposable income helps in this case. Hurray.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by frambooz

Their contact form has these two check marks at the bottom that gave me a chuckle:

[ ] Please add me to your email list for company news.
[ ] Yes, seriously, add me to the mailing list.

(I didn't check any of them. No, seriously.)

LOL man that was funny

[numrologst]

Just don't let yourself procrastinate any further than a few more gigs. I know how easy it is to put off getting ear protection.

I've needed to get new earbuds for like a month now and I keep putting it off... Just like getting contacts, and going to the dentist. I don't know why.

Our ears are our most important piece of gear, we gotta take care of them.

I know too many old guys that can't hear worth a shit today... all due to constant abuse from age 20-40

[TRA]

For an IEM setup you could pick up a Shure system and go through Sensaphonics for the custom molds. Reducing the impact on your hearing and still being able to monitor your performance is invaluable. Spending $1k on a wireless IEM system plus custom molds doesn't seem too expensive in the world of a Gearslut.

Or you can just get the musicians ear plugs that Etymotic makes and use wedges if you don't like the idea of being isolated from stage ambience. There are work arounds with IEM setups (putting an omni lavalier on you and mixing that with your stage mix), but it isn't the same.

Either way you'd be going to Sensaphonics for the molds.

[werners]

For custom earplugs in the US go to Etymotic Research.

for custom in ear monitoring check this : http://www.sensaphonics.com/prod_3d_ambient.html

I tested out this system this week and by far is the best in ear monitoring system i ever heard.
It mixes stage ambient sound with the monitor mix, and reduces the impact on your hearing for both.

When you are not playing between tracks you don't have to remove the earplugs to hear your fellow musicians and you are always safe from hearing damage.

[mohthom]

I don't know about any of you guys, but I've been in the academy for too long, and whenever I go to 'real world' practitioners for anything they give me the creeps. I get my eyes, ears and other important bits of me tested by professors (it has a different meaning in the UK - reserved not for a university teacher, but for a lecturer with a fine pedigree and many years of research excellence) because when I was a lowly undergraduate student, I volunteered for all the crazy research experiments they were running. Now they owe me!

Why not see if your local uni has an audiology dept - mine does! There may even be something they'd be willing to trade for a free moulding and check-up (like . . . beer?) - it can't hurt to ask!

I wouldn't trust an ENT 'doctor' (the kind without a Ph. D) to jam foam in my moneycanals. There's two wasted disciplines there (I don't record with my nose), and I want a specialist when it comes to my livelihood.

Ultimate Ears also have a range of custom IEMs ranging from $700 to $1200. There's a video of Chris Cornell getting ear moulds made on the website!

MohThoM

[travisbrown]

I got my headphones from Westone and the molds made at a Westone-authorized hearing clinic.

Custom Fit In-Ear Musicians' Monitors :: Westone

[cajonezzz]

Originally Posted by frambooz

I'm looking into getting custom molded earbuds. You know, the ones where they squirt your ear full of foam, let it harden, then mold a silicone earbud that fits your ear perfectly. I'm talking earbuds with a little speaker inside (not earplugs).

Two reasons:

1) Save my hearing while I still can during band practice and gigs
2) Listen to click/backingtracks/use it as an in-ear monitor for live gigs

The problem is, I don't know where to start looking. What brands are used? What prices should I expect? What extra equipment do I need (to get the sound from the board to my ear) etc?

Tips welcome!

Im gonna be the nagging grandma here. I'm one of those 40 somethings that is struggling with tinitus, from playing drums for years. Most of those years with hearing protection... but some not.

Number one thing to remember is that in ears will not SAVE YOUR HEARING. And very well could damage it as much as no protection. It all depends on how loud you monitor, and how long your exposed. Please do your research as to safe levels, and make sure you buy the best sealing inears you can. Don't pull em in and out on a gig/rehearsal... monitor as LOW AS possible.

That being said, I own UE7's, Sensaphonics triple driver equivilent, Livewires, and Future sonics.

Sensaphonics have "the seal" and best fidelity, but most dainty build, and dodgy customer service.

Ultimate ears, not quite the seal, but very good ears.

Live wires: budget, but decent for dual driver. My mtn biking ears.

Future sonics: use a different driver technology than the others, and some feel is better sounding..

if your a live guy, i don't think you can go wrong with UE's. great customer service, detatchable wires that are robust, and sound good. Theye come out with quad driver model this year

please invest in a set of the 25 db "musicians plugs" while your at it getting your molds done.


Personally, if it was rehearsals.. I'd go for shooters cans, or the Isolation cans... and turn it down... I can't use inears except for the most critical ($$$) gigs, and even then, for a short period of time, as the volume needed to get over full band on stage at volume amounts to as much as wedges... And I'll get ringing.
don't let that happen to you.

cz

[Lerxst]

Originally Posted by cajonezzz

Im gonna be the nagging grandma here. I'm one of those 40 somethings that is struggling with tinitus, from playing drums for years. Most of those years with hearing protection... but some not.

Number one thing to remember is that in ears will not SAVE YOUR HEARING.

and... number two thing is make sure those earphones are just for you. Sharing earfunk is like sharing toe funk.

~Lerxst

Don't get old, grow older...

[gmbydmit]

Originally Posted by cajonezzz

Im gonna be the nagging grandma here.

please invest in a set of the 25 db "musicians plugs" while your at it getting your molds done.

cz

I'm 45 and been a drummer most of my life and the scary part is that I'm pretty 'used-to' the tenitus....I KNOW, THAT'S PRETTY STUPID!

GUYS...AND GALS.... CONSTANT RINGING IN YOUR EARS SUCKS!!!!!
PROTECT YOUR HEARING! NO MATTER WHAT!!

I got 25db plugs (in addition to vairous IEM'S) and I think its helping...

[drummerboy1533]

I got a pair of UE 7's about 5 years ago. It was apparent that my earwax literally had a nasty chemical reaction to the plastic molds.I had'nt used them more than several dozen times. The molds just got soft and tore off from the main body in stages.I ended up trimming them down to almost nothing! UE wouldn't do anything about it but offer me a new pair at half price. I told them they should offer a lifetime guarantee on manufacturers materials and defects. I won't throw $900 at a "personal pair" of anything ever again... BTW,if you will be singing with IEM's, be certain to hold your mouth wide open during the mold-curing process.Or else you will get a drop in response when you flex you jaw!

[Harvey Gerst]

I just bought these for $250:

Live Wires Custom Fit In-Ear Monitors / Headphones

[cnixon]

Originally Posted by Harvey Gerst

I just bought these for $250:

Live Wires Custom Fit In-Ear Monitors / Headphones

One of the guys in our Praise Band has this brand. I have a custom mold, clear silicone, from a local ENT that did a great job with the mold, and I use the Shure E-5 that inserts into the mold. I have been using this set for 4 years and going strong.

For ear protection, nothing better than in-ears in my book. You get to hear what your kids have to say, you will still be able to hear what your grand-kids have to say. HOWEVER, you will still be able to hear what your wife has to say, everything she has to say!

[HeavyG]

Shure's in ear models (Kenny Aronoff and others use them) are pretty solid and they have an AWESOME warranty (they replace them on the spot for 2 years). I bought their mid-tiered EC-3 ($179) and some memory soft foam inserts ($15) and they are AWESOME. They are not custom...but they are pretty darned close (and the fit is close to a perfect seal, but not quite)...and they sound great. I am going to get the new version of the EC5s soon...I believe it is the SE530. They are the triple driver version that some have said are the best in ear monitors you can buy ($349-399 on eBay) .

[Jazz+]

Originally Posted by Harvey Gerst

I just bought these for $250:

Live Wires Custom Fit In-Ear Monitors / Headphones

How do you like the Live Wires?

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by cajonezzz

Number one thing to remember is that in ears will not SAVE YOUR HEARING. And very well could damage it as much as no protection.

Absolutely!
I'm sick of typing this on various forums. You saved me the effort.

please invest in a set of the 25 db "musicians plugs" while your at it getting your molds done.
Personally, if it was rehearsals.. I'd go for shooters cans, or the Isolation cans... and turn it down... I can't use inears except for the most critical ($$$) gigs, and even then, for a short period of time, as the volume needed to get over full band on stage at volume amounts to as much as wedges... And I'll get ringing.

Exactly my thinking.
Great advice! thumbsupthumbsup

[Harvey Gerst]

I've added some hearing Protectors and in-ear isolation earbuds to the MoreMe line. They're a low cost alternative to in ear monitors and they work pretty well.

The new stuff is at the bottom of the MoreMe page at:

MoreMe Cheap Headphones & Stuff

[voiceactor]

You might want to check these out. These are an inexpensive mold it to your own ear. It's very easy to use...and works great! The speakers inside are probably not as good of quality as you might want. But since these are self moldable you can use any set you might want. Like the Shure stuff for example. The earbuds themselves aren't that bad but you may want something better. EarFuze Custom Earphones

[larrykane]

I started using custom musician plugs (not monitors) on shows a few weeks back.
A few weeks before that I started one of the tinnitus threads here.
I have been using a sound pressure meter onstage to try and get a feel for whats going on. The lab that made my molds said that damage begins as low as 80 db with long enough exposure (wow) Our band is often between 98 and 102db. My custom plugs have interchangeable diaphragms in a little button so I tried the 15 db ones first and although they sounded pretty good up to what I think is probably 12/14k, they sucked when I sing because the head tone (bone conduction) was the same as always but the acoustic sound coming into my ears was down 15 db, so it sounded super bassy. Although I could deal, there was no way I could blend with the other singers. I am concerned that in-ear monitors cranked to a competitive level could be actually importing more damage. Antbody have some real experience with this/ This is not a thread hijack because the thread starter should learn this before he throws dowm big bucks. Also the lab has asked me to be their consultant (they are starting a line of monitors) so whatever I learn may result in better stuff for us all.

[Jazz+]

I have been using -15db filters with my jazz duo and -25 db filters with my quartet over 100 times now. I have tinnitus too. IEM monitors also provide -25 db filtering, so keep the IEM monitor signal very low and you will get protection and good monitoring clarity.