Choose your earplugs
Take simple steps to protect your hearing today, so you don’t lose the music tomorrow.
Explore our storytellers’ experiences and what earplugs might suit your listening style.
Decibels are a way of measuring how loud a sound is. We work out our risk of damage when we combine decibel level with how long we’re exposed to it. Damage to our ears starts when we hear sounds over 85dB continuously for 8 hours. With every 3dB increase, the length of safe exposure time halves.
Most clubs and live venues amplify music to around 100dB or more, meaning your ears can get damaged after only 15 minutes without earplugs.
Earplugs lower the amount of dB your ears are exposed to. Choosing the right earplug depends on how loud the sound is, how long it lasts and how frequently you hear it.
Those of us who want to feel the beat at a club or festival every weekend might want earplugs with higher dB protection levels. Those who prefer going to a gig every now and then could opt for lower protection earplugs.
You’ll find some earplug options on this page to help you choose. The brands and products listed are examples and not endorsed by RNID.
According to the manufacturers, all earplugs below are tested to European standards and preserve sound quality. Their prices may vary over time.
Eldon’s experience: always listening, always loud
I have two levels of hearing protection . . . one for gigs that are really, really loud and one to wear for maybe lower vibes.
For me, it’s all about making sure that I’m as comfortable and as safe as possible when I’m doing what I love. Hearing protection allows me to take care of myself while also having a great time. It’s quite easy to do if you just do some planning, pack your bag right, that sort of stuff.”
Eldon, 23
If you listen loud like Eldon and attend gigs frequently, you might want to explore the following earplugs. Features include reducing loudness by more than 20dB, blocking low-frequency sounds and a variety of colours.
Earplugs with higher levels of protection are ideal for people who got ‘Loyal + Loud Listener’ in our What’s Your Listening Style? quiz.
Example earplugs for Loyal + Loud Listeners
Isolate by Flare £24.95
Hears One and Hears Plus by Hears £35.00
Top tips for keeping the music alive
- Grab some earplugs. Of course this is our top tip! And if you forget your own pair, don’t worry – most live music venues offer free foam earplugs from behind the bar.
- Avoid the speakers. Whatever venue you’re at, take some distance from the speakers when you can. The closer you are to the sound source, the greater the risk. Even short bursts of loud noise can do damage.
- Take a break. Take regular breaks from the loudest areas for 5 minutes per hour to give your ears a rest. Chill-out zones in clubs are perfect for this.
Meg’s experience: keeping sound quality crisp
As I have been a regular concert attendee practically my entire life . . . I started to realise, actually, I really don’t want my ears to be ringing non-stop when I get in bed after a concert!
I used to worry that ear plugs would muffle the sound of a concert . . . but once I found the right ones for me I very quickly learnt that they actually massively improve the experience. This year my friend recommended the Alpine earplugs, as they’re designed for concerts and I can’t imagine not using them now.”
Meg, 28
For ‘Soundtrack Seekers’ like Meg, who listen loudly but less often, these earplugs offer mid-level hearing protection.
According to the product specs, they offer protection of 19-22dB, with features such as interchangeable filters, comfortable fits and a choice of colours.
Example earplugs for Soundtrack Seekers
MusicSafe by Alpine £17.95
AT-ERP5 by Audio-Technica £22.00
Maisy’s experience: good for gigs and for sensory overload
Hearing protection matters to me as a music lover. I want to keep enjoying live music! I’d hate to miss out on future experiences all because I didn’t protect my ears. I also appreciate the use of earplugs as a neurodivergent person being in a crowd can be overwhelming and earplugs help.
Hearing protection is important – if you want to keep enjoying concerts, festivals and the like, wear your earplugs.”
Maisy, 27
Listeners like Maisy, who attend gigs less frequently and prefer a little less noise around them, may prefer earplugs that offer lower levels of protection – perfect for ‘Playlist Pacers’.
These earplugs offer protection of 17-19dB and come with features such as different ear-tip sizes and a choice of colours.
Example earplugs for Playlist Pacers
PartyPlug by Alpine £12.95
Experience 2 by Loop £29.95
Can’t find the right ones for you?
These earplugs are just a drop in the ocean, and you may want to find other options on your own. Here’s what to consider:
- Check the level of noise protection an earplug provides by the Single Number Rating (SNR). The higher the SNR, the more noise protection an earplug provides.
- Check your chosen earplugs meet European standards – look for the UKCA mark to be sure.
And remember – most live music venues offer free temporary foam earplugs before a gig. For one-off nights out, they’re a great (and cheap!) way to avoid that hearing hangover.
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