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‘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.

Purchased these to use at concerts and am quite pleased with the results. I used them to see a band that I know well and have seen in concert previously, so I would be able to judge well whether the earplugs reduced the volume without sacrificing certain frequencies or muffling them. They work as advertised in that the music sounds just as good as it should have but at safer and more comfortable volumes. It was slightly harder to carry on a conversation with my friend while wearing the ear plugs, but not too difficult and to be expected. I ended up wearing them for about 4 hours between the 2 opening acts and the headliner. I had no ringing in my ears or muffled hearing after the concert or the next day, nor was my voice torn up from yelling.The earplugs were simple to get seated correctly in my ears and easy to remove. They are not the most comfortable things in the world to wear, but not so uncomfortable that I was tempted to take them out. They're great for concerts or other applications where you'd wear them for a couple of hours. I think I'd look for something else if I needed to wear them all day long on a regular basis.Highly recommend using the little cord to connect them. I dropped one of the earplugs when removing them and lost it. If I'd used the cord, I would still have it even though I dropped it.

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.