Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit, Polybag Package, 1 pair

Takes the edge off louder noises but I can still listen carefully for unusual noises which is very important when you're a machinist. I wonder why more machinists don't use concert/high fidelity style earplugs? Anyways, I stamped a paper at the lockers to recommend these styles of earplugs to other people in the machine shop.

These are my go-to for concerts. They reduce the volume and maintain the original sound as much as possible unlike the other earplugs I have tried. Only downside is it's definitely not the most comfortable earplugs.

Comparison review:I got a pair of Eargasms - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GQMZ1DG/and the Etymotic ER20XS-SMF-P....es..... - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM6Q9XW/as a higher Db upgrade from my earasers - https://www.amazon.com/Earasers-HEM001-Musicians-Plugs-Medium/dp/B00E2D9HAA/ (shown with a "refresh kit" that included the blue carrying case that I've had for a little over a year - so yeah, it looks a little banged up. I ordered mediums, and got the small refresh kit to try the other size The smalls worked better for me.)Sound wise, the Etymotics smoothly reduce volume across the board at a noticeable increase in reduction from the Earasures, but not as much more as I'd hoped. The eargasms muddy the high end and don't dampen the bass as much - so they don't deliver on the flat response promised, and make it harder to understand people (not something I can deal with for my usage case).Comfort wise, I'm kind of mixed on the new two. The eargasms have the softer tips, but prying them out of my ears (there's nothing visible, but also nothing to hold on to in order to pull them out) left my ears sore. The softer silicone tips here also create a suction strong enough to hurts my ear drums when being worn.Neither compare at all to the earasers. The single oval shaped tip is just... comfortable. More comfortable than any earbud I've ever put in. Somehow the oval shape on them makes them work wonders. There's no real "pressure" on the sides of your ears. I won't say you'll forget you have them in, but you absolutely can once you've gotten used to them. Sizing is a small problem - the mediums are too big for me (and are hard to put in), but the smalls are perfect - but do have to be inserted deeply. There's no suction though, so no ear drum pain (that I got with both the eargasms and the etymotics - but it was far more pronounced with the eargasms).Visually, the Eargams are cleaner - the pull tab from the Etymotics sticks out and is slightly visible (but it also lets you pull them out.The earasers though.... they're totally invisible (with the small tips for me. The little plastic pull stick rests nicely behind/along the inside of my tragus (thanks Google images). With the medium tips, the little plastic pull stick... sticks out just enough to be seen, but is still far more inconspicuous than the Etymotics pull tab).This is all based on looking in a mirror and turning my head. I couldn't see the eargasms at all (from behind, the blue filter probably shows) - which was a huge downside when I needed to get them out and couldn't find anything to grab by touch. The Etymotics pull tab was clearly visible.Per the packaging, the Eargasms are rated at 12db, and the Etymotics are 13db. So the eargasms are basically an inferior product all the way around.The Earasers are 19db peak (printed on the box), but there's a label on the back of the package says "5db" because of the way they reduce sound (and the db rating not accurately describing how much sound is being reduced). Still, what I'm trying to block out is a constant very loud fan noise - and they're not doing it for me - hence the search for an upgrade.So... with all that in mind, I don't really like the Etymotics. I've never really been fond of triple flanges - they make my ears kind of itch where the 2nd 2 flanges "pull back" after insertion. The Eargasms are more comfortable in that department, but the softer silicone "gives" a little more creating that painful suction on the ear drums.So, yeah, possibly I'm just putting them in too far, but if I don't, the filter hits the front of my ear and isn't as comfortable either, and I don't get a proper seal.So I think I've been ruined by the Earasers and can't really wear any other earplugs any more (except the foam ones in emergencies).The only downside to the Earasers is their poor performance with the fan noise. Both the Etymotics and the Eargasms are slightly better in this area, but due to the comfort issues from the triple flanges, I don't think I'll be able to use either of them most of the day.Earasers does offer higher DB filters on their website (but not Amazon), and I think I'll harass their support to see if I can get a set. That's probably the best solution for me right now.So... if you can save up for the Earasers, do that. If not, spend the extra couple dollars on the Etymotics.

Save your self from damaging your audition. Must have ear pro for raves or concerts, great quality and barely noticeable. I've been using the same pair for several years now.

Good earplugs but the new case sucks. Lost them after a few days because the case came open

I‘m 72 years of age and somehow developed hyperacusis (extreme and painful sensitivity to certain sounds) over this past year and it‘s literally driving me nuts. An ENT specialist told me bluntly that there’s nothing that can be done for me. So I went online and found a support group for those of us suffering from hyperacusis. A product recommended on the site was the Etymotic High Fidelity Ear Plugs. So I ordered a pair in desperation. I‘ve been using them a couple weeks now and they are very effective at protecting me from the sounds I’m most sensitive to. With a little moisture placed on the plugs, they insert easily into my ear canal. They are comfortable once inserted. I am able to adequately hear my wife‘s voice and carry on a conversation, listen to music, and hear traffic sounds around me, though with a muffled quality.. I do feel sometimes like I’m hearing sounds while submerged underwater, but it‘s far better than being exposed to sounds that cause me to feel like I’ve been shocked with an electric cattle prod.

So I have two problems with this. My husband prefers this brand or at least he did. He couldn't find his old pair so he asked for a new one.I was trying out a bunch of ear plugs for the k-pop concerts we're going to with my teen. I used to sing and have some hearing damage and tinnitus from not wearing protection and an ear infection many years ago that ruptured one of my ear drums. At this point, I'm looking to live with at least less EEEEeeeeeeeeee than I already have. I do have a older hearing aid for that side that ruptured but I rarely use it every day unless I'm in a loud busy place (I'd never use it for a concert because there are things I need to hear (my kiddo) but a busy city restaurant or Disney World? Then I do but only if I need to because I hate it.). It’s uncomfortable to wear for a long time and I should probably get a new one fitted. I've become pretty good though at discerning how effective a hearing blocker for my “good” ear is (and yeah, I should probably just get this all custom made for my ears, but this is quite expensive and time consuming so I just haven’t).First there was a sharp piece on one side and it cut my ear canal. The item was clear-ish so I didn’t see this little sharp edge until I was cut and the inside of my ear was bleeding. Yikes. Second there is no way this at its highest levels cut 20 dcb let alone 16. It’s more around ten. Putting your hands over your ears would be more effective than this. I could clearly hear our heater kicking on, the tv next door and my kid’s music through her headphones. It’s also quite long for a woman’s ear canal which makes it uncomfortable. This is not safe enough for a concert between the crowd cheering and the music.Maybe these were more effective and better made years ago? But the ones we received were terrible.