I live in an extremely loud city. Day or night, I can hear car horns, people’s conversations in the streets, fireworks, dogs barking, cats meowing.
All of this noise makes it extremely difficult to concentrate whether I’m reading a book, writing emails or working. It’s also taken its toll on my ears, which have become extremely sound sensitive, and I’m worried about hearing loss.
So I decided to search for the best sound-insulating earplugs, and my research has led me to Etymotic Research earplugs, designed to protect your ears from the loudest of noises.
Therefore I’ll be reviewing four Etymotic earplugs sold online, hoping that I’ll find one to suit my lifestyle and the challenges of being exposed to different loud noises.
Etymotic Ear Plugs and Sound Quality
Etymotic Research is a company with over 30 years of history in making high-quality products that protect hearing and improve people’s lives with hearing loss. They also have numerous products that enhance the experience of musicians and music lovers.
I will be reviewing here four Etymotic earplugs sold online and their success in negating noise and sound and their setbacks.
I expect a good sound insulator that is easy to use and won’t irritate my ears even if I wear them all day long. I’m looking for something that is aesthetically appealing too, and I don’t want to pay much for them.
The Etymotic earplugs are marketed as a product that will reduce sound without losing sound quality in the sense that some sounds would be muted while others wouldn’t.
They’re specially designed for musicians who need to hear certain sounds better than others. However, they’re also marketed for attending concerts or loud clubs, festival or performance locals, aircraft personnel, construction, industrial or medical and dental workers.
As well as workers in places with loud sounds such as concert halls, nightclubs, bars, emergency vehicle personnel, athletes, motorsports participants and truck drivers. If you work as a musician, you can check out our comparison article on DUBS Noise Cancelling Music earplugs vs Etymotic.
Discreet Design
The Etymotic ER20 and ER20XS have a clear stem, which makes them very discreet.
On the picture on the left, you’ll see the Etymotic ER20XS, which has a low-profile design.
People around will hardly notice that you’re wearing them. In addition, they will fit very well if you have a helmet or hat on your head.
Top 4 Etymotic Research Earplugs
Below you’ll see a detailed review and description of each product, so you can decide which one is right for you. When making up your choice, make sure you also read our comparison articles on Etymotic vs Eargasm Earplugs and Earpeace vs Etymotic Earplugs.
The Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20 ETY-Plugs, Standard Fit Blue Tip are definitely a product to consider buying as they cancel out regular noise quite well.
These high-fidelity earplugs reduce sound levels at approximately 20dB. So you can still hear human speech and music very clearly but will reduce the most common loud noises at concerts, parades, motorsport events, etc.
They come in two sizes: standard and large, where the standard fits the majority of users. These earplugs are reusable, have a clear stem and blue tip.
Pros
- The Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20 ETY-Plugs, Standard Fit Blue Tip work extremely well and I could read and work through the city noise pollution.
- They also come with a cord so I won't be losing them anytime soon.
Cons
- They are not as discreet as the ER20XS model
- They are not suitable for gun shooting sports, swimming, or sleeping.
These earplugs provide universal hearing protection and are suitable for concerts, musicians, motorcycles, machinery, and more. In addition, if you’re looking for discreet earplugs, there is a great choice since they are low-profile.
They reduce sound levels evenly by 20 decibels. However, music and speech are still clear and natural, so you can wear them at a concert without worrying about potential hearing damage.
These are high-fidelity earplugs with outstanding sound quality. Because of this, they are the preferred choice for professional and amateur musicians.
When you order them, you’ll get 1 pair of earplugs, a neck cord, and a carrying case. You can choose between standard fit, universal fit, or large fit.
Pros
- These Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs Ear plugs have been upgraded so they wouldn't stick out of your ear and fit inside my ear quite well.
- Designed for musicians, they allow you to hear sound at a muted level so you can hear conversations quite well while loud sounds are reduced significantly.
Cons
- While Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Standard Fit do fit quite snuggly in my ears, they might not be too comfortable to wear for a long period of time
- They are not recommended for: sleeping, swimming or gunfire
Here you’re actually getting 3 pairs of Etymotic Research ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs.
This product includes 1 pair of standard fit earplugs with 3 flange ear tips, 1 pair of large fit 3-flange ear tips, 1 pair of foam ear tips, neck cord and a carrying case.
This means that you’ll have three pairs ready to use when needed. They have a discreet, stem-less design, so people around you won’t notice that you’re wearing them. They are suitable for concerts, sporting events, riding a motorcycle and more.
Pros
- These Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Universal Fit Hearing Protection fit quite well in my ears and they also have a cord which makes it less likely that I would lose them.
- They cancelled out a lot of noise and I was able to function well with my city's noise pollution. The case is so attractive-looking too.
Cons
- They are not recommended for: sleeping, swimming, gunfire or shooting sports
The Etymotic GunsportPRO Earplugs, Electronic Hearing Protection Designed for Hunters, Shooters and Gun Enthusiasts. There are many great electronic earplugs on the market.
While some gun sport enthusiasts prefer to use earmuffs when shooting, you have a great alternative – earplugs.
This product will protect you from loud noise such as gun and firearm blasts or repeated gunfire from other nearby shooters. In addition, it provides 15dB of automatic hearing protection.
If the sound levels around you are at a safe level, you’ll be able to hear naturally, as if nothing is in your ear canal. In addition to this, you can also amplify sounds around you and improve distance detection, creating enhanced awareness.
You may also want to purchase a hearing device dryer box to keep your Gunsports clean.
Pros
- The Etymotic GunsportPRO Earplugs are designed specifically for hunters, shooters and gun enthusiasts.
- These are heavy –duty ear plugs, seeing as they're designed for people who are into gun sports as the name suggests: GunSportPRO Electronic Earplugs.
- The main technology used in these earplugs is called adaptive attenuation. This means the earplugs will adjust to protect your ears from loud noises and allow you to hear safer levels of noise such as conversations and so on.
- They also provide up to 15dB of hearing protection when noise levels exceeds safe modes, such as blasts and fireworks.
- Come with 1 year warranty (if purchased from authorized reseller).
Cons
- Unfortunately the fact that I have to use new batteries every time I use them is a bit inconvenient.
- The Etymotic GunsportPRO Earplugs can be easy to lose if you're not careful as they're very small. It's best to use them with the neck cord.
Conclusion
Etymotic makes quality products designed to protect a person’s hearing. Their earplugs can be used for many situations, especially at events with loud music.
The Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20 ETY-Plugs, will allow you to hear clearly human speech and still hear music without losing sound quality. They yield 20dB sound reduction and are suitable for concerts, motorcycles, traveling, power tools, and more.
If they are slipping out all of the time, you likely need to go down to a smaller size which is available for the Ety plugs. Also, sound quality is not discussed. You will muffle most sounds if you want to block the sound of fireworks.
Just FYI. My husband has tried all of earbuds in both ears, and after an hour he has to take them out because they hurt. It has been 45 days and was told they cannot be returned.