Etymotic ER20XS ETY Earplugs - Standard Size, Frost - High-Fidelity Hearing Protection - Up to 20 dB Sound Reduction - Reusable - Includes Neck Cord & Carrying Case

I am a professional violinist. I began having tinnitus many years ago: hearing the TV static “sound of silence,” plus occasional 10-second bouts of extreme ringing typically in the left ear. I put one of these earplugs in my left ear, which is just above the instrument as I hold it under my jaw. Hearing damage/loss in the left ear is a universal symptom of long-term violin playing, and additionally, the loud direct sound from being close to the instrument sometimes causes students (me many years ago) to limit themselves and avoid drawing the most sound from the instrument. This earplug solves both those issues: I still hear clearly at all volumes but am not overwhelmed when I play out, and my bouts of ringing have disappeared, and only come back when I forget to put the earplug in.I use this earplug whenever I play, indoors, outdoors, practicing or performing. I could go on about how useful this has been for me. After a couple minutes of being worn it fills the ear extremely comfortably, and I often (at least twice a week) forget to take it out after practicing, because I simply don’t realize it was in until someone notices the thing in my ear. This size is perfect for my ear, snug but not tight. I personally don’t use the case, I just slip it under the strap for my violin in its case. I believe these can last indefinitely until lost, which is a fine value for $10 each when I only use one at a time. I would recommend this to anyone who needs slight sound reduction of upper levels.

I use these for concerts and put them in before it starts, and leave them in until it’s over and these are great. They prevent tinnitus or any kind of hearing issue after the concert is over, you were fully protected. You can still hear the concert perfectly and even better they drown out your concert neighbor’s screams and singing. When the people around you talk during the show it’s hard to hear them but you can make out what they say if you want to. And the concert has quite good sound. I wore them to a rock concert that was shaking the brick building and sidewalk outside during sound check and after the concert was over my ears were perfect. I enjoyed the show with no discomfort and happy with the sound and even talked to the band during (and heard their reply to me, the guitarist came out into the crowd). Very nice!Only thing is, they do hurt while they are in. It goes away as soon as you take them out, I am playing with adjusting them better but I think it’s just the design and hardness of the base plastic. It’s not a huge deal, they do feel like they go in kind of deep. I will always keep these on hand for concerts and replace them often. Love them. Absolutely better than foam ones for concerts but my daughter finds them uncomfortable enough that she prefers foam, she has had a ruptured ear drum and is always sensitive about her ears. She claims her cheap foam ones give the same result for her, but I use both and think these are way better if you can tolerate the feel of them. I personally love these.

So these are pretty nicely made . They seem to clock some sound but not as much as I had hoped. I bought them to wear under a helmet but with winter and all I have not had a chance to try them their yet. They do seem to perform as advertised - lowering overall decibel level without blocking sound. Also they do fit under the helmet but I will need to be careful as they catch when removing them.They are much more comfortable then the foam expander type I usually use. Those quickly become uncomfortable and make my ears painful from both the foam expansion and the air pressure in the inner ear.When I have a chance to use them on my loud motorcycle I will update this review. My feeling is that these would be fine for stock exhaust and most street models but for extra loud exhaust they may be insufficient. If they hold true it will lower my 92-96 decibel exhaust to 82-86. That doesn't seem much but it lowers it below the pain threshold for me.Final thought, I would feel better to get these around $10. $17 is a bit steep even if they do target a smaller audience.2/16/15: Had a chance to use these on a few different rides on 2 different style motorcycles. They are comfortable but to wear them under a helmet I had to trim the little handles. They do lower the volume some and i noticed that the wind noise is reduced a lot but I can still hear the music in my 3/4 helmet playing off a Sena SMH10. I also noticed that music from the 70's/80's gets harder to hear and more modern music with the bass heavy production corners through cleaner. I would say they are cutting off the higher ranges. If they last 3-6 months I would consider another purchase.

These came just in time for the Pierce the Veil concert. They worked really well! I was able to hear the music clearly and no ringing afterwards. I love the little metal canister it came with, they fit conveniently on my keyring. Also, with the selection of tips, I had no worries about the fit. They stayed in comfortably the whole concert! :)

They definitely work to reduce volume and protect your hearing, but the audio quality takes a hit more than some others I've tried. The case works, but it feels very cheaply made.noverall they do the job.

For the price these are the best earplugs you are going to find. I play bass and hear myself and bandmates perfectly.