Watching live music is an exciting, moving and immersive experience. Whether you enjoy classical, pop, rock or alternative styles of music, hearing your favourite artists perform live is very different to listening to recorded tracks. But the noise levels at live music events can cause issues with ear discomfort, ringing ears and can even cause long term hearing damage.
So how can you avoid this unpleasant result of attending concerts and listening to live music? The easiest way is to get yourself a pair of noise reducing ear plugs. They will reduce the noise level to a safer volume.
The only problem is that there are so many different types of noise reducing ear plugs available, it can be difficult to know which product is right for you. We have made it easier for you by putting together a list of the best ear plugs to wear to concerts. We have also provided some advice on how to choose the ear plugs that meet your needs.
OUR TOP PICK
The Vibes reusable earplugs reduce the amount of damaging decibel levels reaching your ears by up to 22 decibels without compromising the quality of the sound you are hearing.
This makes them ideal for wearing to concerts and live music events. The attenuating filters lower volumes using specific frequencies rather than providing outright noise cancellation.
The filtered sound is much clearer and not muffled, allowing you to become fully immersed in the music. You can also still hold a conversation with the people around you whilst wearing the ear plugs.
These silicone ear plugs have clear outer shells and a form-fitting low profile, making them almost invisible in your ear. They are much more discreet than other, more bulky ear plugs.
The sound blocking tips come in multiple sizes, making it easier for you to find a snug fit to suit your ear. They are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The soft ear tips are hypoallergenic and washable, so can be used again and again.
These ear plugs aren’t just ideal for attending concerts, raves and music festivals- they can also be used by musicians, drummers, guitarists, DJs, construction workers, and motorcyclists. They come with a hard case which makes them portable, so it is easy to take them everywhere with you.EDITORS CHOICE
The Loop noise reduction ear plugs feature a unique filter that reduces noise by 18 decibels, protecting your ear drums from damage whilst maintaining excellent sound quality. You will still be able to enjoy the music and communicate with those around you.
These ear plugs are made from soft silicone to make them ultra comfortable. The ear tips come in 8 different sizes, so you can find the size that best fits your ear.
These versatile ear plugs can be used to attend noisy events like concerts and nightclubs, but they can also be used by musicians, for tinnitus relief, to prevent hearing damage in a noisy work environment, or to help those with sensitive hearing.
The ear plugs come with a key chain, making it easy to take them with you everywhere.
BEST VALUE
These silicone ear plugs are 100% hypoallergenic and are super soft, making them comfortable and safe for your ears. The triple flange design and cone shaped tip allow them to fit easily into your ear canal, so you can wear them all day long.
This product includes two sets of ear plugs with different noise reduction ratios, an aluminium carry case, and a neck cord. This makes these ear plugs portable and practical.
The precision filter has varied strength levels up to 29 decibels and can reduce high frequency background noise whilst still retaining great sound clarity. These earplugs can be used by people attending live music events, or people who work in loud environments.
To put the ear plugs in, gently press them into your ear canal. To ensure a snug fit, rotate them while continuing to push gently. This will form a seal. You can test this by clapping- you should still be able to hear the sound but it will be quieter than usual.
To keep these ear plugs clean, just wash them gently with soap and water. There are no electronics to be damaged by the water. Make sure they are completely dry before you put them back in your ear.
RUNNER UP
The Hearprotek ear plugs are able to bring down the overall volume of the music and block out background noises whilst preserving the sharpness and clarity of the sound.
This means you can enjoy live music safely and still hold a conversation with your friends without experiencing muffling. The filter reduces noise by up to 20 decibels.
These ear plugs come in two sizes, small or standard, which are both included with the product. You also receive a detachable cord and an aluminium carry case, making it easy to take these ear plugs with you wherever you go.
The carabiner allows you to clip the case onto a belt or a bag for easy carrying. They are made from high quality silicone for ultimate comfort, with an ergonomic curved body and a two flange tip that follows the shape of your ear canal for a snug fit.
The low-profile design of these ear plugs with translucent plug shells means you can wear them discreetly, whether you are at a concert, a night club or a loud sporting event.
RUNNER UP
The Eargasm High Fidelity ear plugs reduce noise levels whilst preserving sound quality with patent pending attenuation filters. You won’t experience muffling, and will still be able to fully enjoy the music. The low profile design means that other people will barely notice that you are wearing ear plugs.
Every product comes with two pairs of different sized earplug shells so you can wear the one that suits your ear shape the best. The earplug shells are non-toxic, hypoallergenic and comfortable enough to be worn all day.
This makes them perfect for festivals. The aluminium case makes it easy to take these ear plugs with you on the go, and it attaches to a keychain for additional convenience.
The case has an anti-stick interior so you can easily remove the ear plugs. It also has a waterproof rubber seal to protect the ear plugs from moisture, dust and debris.
Eargasm Earplugs is a Southern Californian that wanted to come up with a better alternative to foam ear plugs. The attenuation filter reduces noise to a safe level while preserving clarity, reproducing rich sounds at a more reasonable volume.
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The Mudeela concert earplugs reduce noise levels by up to 23 decibels whilst preserving sound quality and allowing you to still hold a conversation with the people around you.
The radian design fits snugly into the ear canal and the ear plugs are very soft, making them ideal for prolonged use. The low profile design will stop your ear plugs from being obviously visible to others.
Each product comes with 3 different types of ear plugs- a high fidelity pair for concerts, a decompression silicone pair which reduce noise levels up to 27 decibels, and a fiam pair for sleeping which reduces noise by up to 32 decibels.
The ear plugs come with a portable case that clips onto a keychain so you can take them with you easily. You can clean your earplugs easily by wiping them down with a wet cloth, so you can use them again and again.
The two-layer shell has a radian design which fits snugly into the ear canal for efficient noise reduction and a secure experience.
RUNNER UP
The Mumba concert ear plugs reduce noise levels by up to 24 decibels, providing an even, crisp sound whilst protecting your ear drums. They don’t muffle or compromise the sound quality.
These ear plugs are soft, lightweight and hypoallergenic, so they will be comfortable whether you wear them for a few hours or all day.
The low profile design of these molded ear plugs will make them almost invisible to other people, so they are incredibly discreet. Each product comes with standard size ear plugs and a pair of small sized shells, so you can find the fit that works for you.
These ear plugs come with an aluminium case and a carabiner so you can hang it on a keychain or attach it to a bag or a belt. This means you will always have your ear plugs to hand when you need them.
These ear plugs are ideal for musicians, concerns, DJs, sporting events and even studying.
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The Anbow reusable silicone ear plugs reduce noise levels by an impressive 32 decibels. They are also suitable to be used during swimming. They are made from high grade silicone and are BPA free, washable and reusable
These ear plugs are ultra soft and are ergonomically designed to fit in your ear canal perfectly. They are flexible which makes them comfortable to wear all day long. They come with a waterproof pouch which can hold up to two pairs or ear plugs.
You can use these ear plugs in factories and commercial areas, at construction sites, during flying and travel, for sleeping, swimming and other water sports. You can also wear them to concerts and live music.
RUNNER UP
These concert ear plugs have an attenuation filter that cuts out excess sound, reducing noise levels by up to 24 decibels. They are designed to maintain the beautiful sound quality of the original source, but reproduce it at a safer level to prevent damage to your ear drums.
These ear plugs are made from a special thermo shape material that conforms to the natural shape of the ear canal to create a comfortable seal.
They are ergonomically designed with a conical-lip to ensure the earplugs stay in place even when you move around or are sweating. The soft material doesn’t irritate your skin, and will be easy to wear all day long.
The ear plugs are almost transparent and have a low profile design, which means they are barely visible to others. They come with a hygienic storage case with a snap lid which is easy to open and close.
The case will fit into your pocket or your bag, so you can take it with you wherever you go. They also come with a cord to stop you from dropping them.
These ear plugs are versatile and can also be used to decrease air pressure on aeroplane flights, or during noisy activities like motorcycling.
RUNNER UP
The EarPeace concert ear plugs provide professional grade hearing protection to deliver clear sounds at a safe volume. The medium, high and max filters provide three levels of noise reduction between 17 and 26 decibels, all with ultimate comfort.
These low profile ear plugs are almost invisible in your ear, making them very discreet. The small tab allows them to be removed quickly and easily. The product comes with an aluminium case for portability, that comes with a keychain clip so you can take your ear plugs everywhere with you.
This brand of ear protection is used by big names like Metallica and RedBull, showing that they are respected and reliable.
Best Earplugs For Concerts Buying Guide
Now that you know which ear plugs are best for wearing to a concert, how do you choose the right product for you? We have put together some advice on how to pick a pair of ear plugs that will definitely meet your individual needs.
As you can see, all the options we have included are reusable. Reusable ear plugs are not only better for the environment, they are also superior in design.
This makes them more comfortable and efficient. We have also chosen products that do not include electronics. This means that they will last longer, and they are safer to be used in your ears.
One of the things you will need to decide when choosing your ear plugs is how many decibels you want the noise levels to be reduced by. Each product offers a different amount.
You will also need to think about what else you might be using the ear plugs for. If you only want them for attending music events like concerts, festivals or night clubs then prioritise comfort and sound quality.
If you are also using them for noisy sporting events or loud work environments, then choose the ear plugs with the highest decibel reduction to reduce your risk of long term hearing loss. If you are also using them for swimming, then choose a pair of ear plugs that can be used underwater.
If portability is important to you, then choose one of the products that comes with a carry case and even a keychain or carabiner so you can easily take the ear plugs with you wherever you go. This is ideal if you are spontaneous and like to attend music events at short notice, as you will always have your ear plugs handy.
If you don’t want other people to know that you are wearing earplugs, then make sure you choose a pair with a low profile design and transparent or translucent coloring. This will make them almost invisible to other people.
If you struggle to find headphones and ear plugs to fit your ears, then choose one of the products with multiple ear tips so you can make sure that you achieve a comfortable and snug fit.
Everyone will have slightly different needs and priorities when it comes to choosing ear plugs, but if you stick to our advice then you will certainly be able to find the right pair for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are ear plugs important?
You might be wondering why it is so important to buy noise reducing ear plugs to use for concerts and live music events. If you spend a lot of time around loud music then you could be at risk of damaging your eardrums or developing long term hearing problems.
If you are a musician yourself, it is especially important to protect your hearing as it could affect your career. Noise levels above 85 decibels can have an affect on your ear health, and noise levels above 120 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss.
To make sure that you can continue enjoying live music for years to come, it is worth getting yourself a pair of good quality noise reducing ear plugs.