Etymotic Research ER20-SMB-C Standard Headset Ear Plugs- Clear Steam/Blue

If you're going to be exposing yourself to loud volumes of sound repeatedly and/or over a long period of time, it's essential to protect your hearing. I understand that Etymotic's earplugs are designed with the audiophile, gigging musician and audio professional in mind: they bring down the audible level of sound by about 20 dB in the mid-range, while cleverly rolling off at the less-dangerous low and high ends so as not to dull the sound. They come connected by a handy string, which when worn around your neck helps you not to lose them in the crowd. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods, and allow for conversation with people near you at normal volume. One problem I was worried about before buying was the plastic stem sticking out perpendicular to my ears – would it be possible for a flailing fellow dancer to whack the plug straight into my ear-canal? Thankfully there's no real chance of this; the design tends to protrude at a slight angle, and so far no harm's been done in even the most extreme mosh-pits. I have previously owned ER-20s by Elacin, to which these appear to be identical. However, I'm given to understand that the design is originally Etymotic's. Insomniacs and those with snoring partners should note that the protruding stems make these earplugs unsuitable for wearing to bed. Cheaper foam plugs like Hearos are more suitable.

This is probably the 5th or 6th pair I've bought. As a referee in a very noisy indoor sport - roller derby - hearing protection is vital. These are tons better than loops (which I also like but they're just not good enough for sport). They come with a strong cord too which means I can pop them out with no worry of losing them.

Great reusable earplugs. Comfortable and block out the sound needed. I work in music venues and nightclubs on a regular basis so these were a perfect cheap solution. Reasonable price, easily washable and the cord that attaches to them is really useful and the right length to tie in a loose knot around my neck when I'm not using them. The attachable cord was the main dicing factor for me when purchasing as I easily loose earplugs. I gave this 4 stars as they could be more comfortable but they are well worth the price I paid.

I have several neurological and vestibular conditions and one of my greatest problems is a condition called hyperaccusis. That means that when I am subjected to certain noises (they don't even need to be that loud) I get a shooting pain in my inner ear and I get a wave of dizziness. So because of this I have been unable to go to the cinema since my illness started (nearly 3 years ago). I bought these ear plugs after someone recommended them to me and I am so pleased that they did. If you've ever tried basic foam ear plugs that you can buy in Boots then you will know that they block out a fair amount of noise, and what noise is left is very muffled. It's almost impossible to have a conversation with anyone with foam ear plugs in. These ear plugs only block out a certain amount of DB meaning that what you do hear is still as clear as it would be without the ear plugs, just quieter. This means that I have managed to go to the cinema twice and the volume level is more like it would be if I were watching it at home, and the great thing is that I can still hear my sister talking to me in the next seat. So, if you have problems like me then I would definitely recommend these ear plugs. Or even if you don't have problems like me but would like to protect your ears so that you don't get problems like me then go ahead and buy them! I would like to point out that they are never going to be as comfortable as foam ear plugs but I managed to site through a 3 hour film with them in quite comfortably. These do come up a little on the small side. I bought the standard size ear plugs even though I have small ear canals (I know this from lots of ear tests) and they fit me well. If you think your ear canals might be on the large side then I would recommend buying the larger size.

Great for listening or playing in Heavy jam band practice

I like these. They are the fourth pair of "nice" earplugs I've tried (I'm not counting the regular foam ones, which don't even fit into my ears), and have so far been the best. They fit snugly in my ear and really filter the sound well, and generally stay put well too (I dance in them, including fast spins, and they do not slip out at all - however, like most earplugs, you may notice when you smile or move your face in certain ways, they may open up slightly, or if you exercise vigorously in them like me and get sweaty. I've found this with every earplug I've tried, but these seem to do it less than others). They also are not very noticeable with the clear stems, which I like. They are also easy to insert and remove. The only issue I have is that they are uncomfortably tight - at the end of a couple of hours, while my ears are thankfully not ringing, they are in pain from being squeezed by these things. As a caveat, I do have really tiny ear canals, so it may just be me. They also are better than another pair I tried that was really inflexible and even more painful - these at least have some give. Then again, I wonder if these would be snug enough for large ear canals, but maybe the flexibility would make them adaptable. Regardless, they've worked well for me overall and I find myself reaching for these every time and leaving my other ear plugs at home. I haven't used them long enough to see how they'll hold up, but the plastic seems sturdier than another brand I tried with a similar construction. I would recommend trying them, especially if you have smaller ear canals and regular plugs don't fit. Update 7/16: I have changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars and ordered a second backup pair, because these earplugs have remained a favorite. The main downside is that if you are using them during heavy activity when you are sweating and moving a lot, you might find yourself having to push them back in fairly regularly. I only use them for dancing so I don't know if this would be an issue for other activities. However, compared to the benefits and considering the price, I think these are a great buy. Also, people almost never notice that I am wearing them, even when my hair is up, which is great - I love that they are discreet. They also really filter sound well without giving you that muffled feeling. Highly recommended! Update 5/17: I am still using and enjoying these earplugs. However, I must note that they are NOT sufficient for very high volumes. I recently attended a music event and wore these throughout, but experienced horrible ringing in my ears for days afterwards. They are still good earplugs and have saved me at other times, but be aware that for a certain level of noise you will need something with more protection.

These ear plugs are the best for live music. Unlike the yellow foam/malleable rubber/flange tip construction earplugs, they don't change the actual sound very much. They just make everything quieter. Pros: - excellent sound reduction without changing sound of music - good value - comes with case with keychain ring Cons: - they come in two sizes and it's hard to tell which one to get... these are supposedly the ones that for "most" people but I found the larger ones had a better fit for me [regular sized woman] - the website isn't helpful in this regard, it says that the size of your person cannot determine the size of your ear canals and you should basically order these and hope they ft - the fit takes some getting used to - they're like putting in higher-end headphones (like shure or etymotics) - you have to shove them in pretty far and twist them around to get a good seal - I don't mind this because I'm used to it from using shures but my sister did not like this at all Overall: - highly recommended for anyone who goes to a lot of live shows and cares about preventing hearing damage. I lost my old ones and immediately replaced them right away.

It definitely does the job alright! Seems to be comfortable.Listening to speech is clear and audible although you might have to focus on the speaker a lil bit. It does get a little uncomfortable, so don't expect a soft, tender experience. Ultimate downside is that it requires cleaning and cleaning can take a while especially when ear wax gets stuck under the flanges and this process has generally discouraged me to an extent though I still use it. It sticks out of your ears!! So you might draw weird looks and comments!

Los audífonos vienen muy bien sellados y listos para usarse; traen un mini manual con el que te puedes orientar de cómo utilizarlos. Además traen un especie de cajita de plástico con una cadenita para su fácil transportación.

Me encantan. Me los pongo para cualquier cosa. Son muy cómodos y aislan muy bien el sonido (soy hiperacúsica y me elimina los pitidos por sonidos fuertes). No son profesionales pero para el precio que tienen son perfectos. Los azules son para oídos pequeños ,si los tienes más grandes, mejor los blancos.