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Comment by thebigman433 | Hacker News Reader

Can I ask how much something like this is? Ive been considering getting something similar, partially for work, and partially for going to concerts without having to worry about damaging my ears.

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They're not custom made, but I recently bought a couple pairs of "Vibes" and "Loop" earplugs and they are easily the best <$50 purchase I've made in the last year. I prefer them to Etymotics (one of the other commonly recommended earplugs). I carry them everywhere with me and even wear them at places like restaurants to mute the noise. I can't recommend them enough.

Vibes: https://www.discovervibes.com/new-products/vibes-high-fideli...

Loop: https://us.loopearplugs.com/

Carrying them everywhere has definitely been a pro move for me. The number of times I’ve been caught in a super loud bar or a restaurant with surprise loud live music makes the paltry burden of having them on my key ring worth it.

I'd even say making sure you have a well-constructed carrying case that allows you to keep them on your keys 24/7 is more important than any concerns about comfort or sound quality, which are still really important. Hearing protection that you don't have on you is useless against unexpected loud environments.

Eargasm earplugs come with a little metal screw together case that can go on your keyring. It feels indestructible and keeps the dirt and grime out. Absolute game changer to have them on your person by default.

I need either big thick closed cell foam earplugs, or earplugs with a silicone triple flange. Over the years, I've tried everything I can find, and nothing else seems to work.

Etymotic seems to have the best triple flange ear tips I've found, but the earphones themselves are fragile and easy to break. Shure has good in-ear monitors, but their triple flange ear tips are too hard, and hurt. But the Etymoic eartips will fit on the Shure IEMs.

But none of those are noise cancelling, and none of those are wireless. So, for the purpose of blocking out sound at night while trying to sleep, none of that helps.

I coincidentally JUST bought a pair of Loops today after my Dubs started falling apart after almost 15 years of use. Happy to hear another good review of the Loops. I like that the aesthetic is interesting which is a great conversation starter at shows - from which I take the opportunity to remind people to protect their ears!

$200-$300. You can DIY the impressions or get an audiologist to do it.

Westone is the major brand if you want your audiologist to do the whole thing.

I paid about $250 for mine (made by Starkey), this included both 10db and 17db plugs. They work a lot better than the high fidelity earplugs I've tried off of Amazon. Starkey apparently retains a 3d scan of your ear canal and can make new sets if/when you lose them.

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