If you are a singer in a band, or a vocalist, you probably don't want to ruin your hearing, so you need to find ear protection that can keep out loud noises and protect your hearing.
The ear plugs for singers that I recommend are ones that are comfortable, don't hurt or irritate your ears when they are removed, and fit securely in your ears.
Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to protect your ears.
Affiliate Disclaimer
As a Amazon Affiliate, we earn from a qualifying purchase
In A Hurry?
If you require the best hearing protection and do not want to read the entire article, below are my recommended products.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ear Protection For Singers? Why do singers wear ear plugs?
Musicians are in a group of people that are likely to have hearing damage. Just because live music is usually very loud. Most people only experience live music a few times a month, whereas musicians and people who work with bands can be exposed to this every night.
Some famous musicians Ozzy Osbourne, Eric Clapton, Will.i.am Peter Townsend, Neil Young, Phil Collins, Grimes, and Chris Martin. These people have hearing loss.
They may not all be vocalist, but the cause of the problem, being exposed to loud music constantly is the same I have written articles about earplugs for musicians before, however when you are the vocalist in a band, you still need earplugs, but your requirements for these plugs differ from say the drummer, so what are you looking for in earplugs for singers?
These are my pick as earplugs for singers. They are reusable and should last years if taken care of. They come with a carrying case to keep them safe.
These are the best given the price, which is a very reasonable This works out much cheaper than the disposable earplugs after a few months. These plugs are less noticeable and better for the environment.
These earplugs have a 19dB protection rating, meaning that the noise is reduced by 19 decibels. Because of the unique filter in these plugs, the high-end and low-end frequencies are not lost, which can happen with a lot of the other earplugs.
These plugs also conform to the canal of the wearer. Using smart seal technology, it conforms to the shape of any wearer’s ear canal.
They do come in different sizes:
Why do singers put their hands on one ear, or even block one ear? This is because the singer is rarely performing alone, there is usually a band with them, playing loudly or a backing track they are singing too.
This music can be so loud that the singer cannot hear their own voice well, to harmonize with other singers, or to sing in tune with the music. Blocking one ear, or partially blocking the sound to both ears, allows the singer to prevent some noise around them, and as you hear your own voice differently, they can now listen to themselves.
Wearing earplugs for singing will do a very similar thing. But as they are in your ears for the entire performance, they will protect your hearing as well.
Yes – as in the above question, professional earplugs for singers will allow you to hear yourself better, without blocking and stifling all the music
They have the following advantages for you as a singer in a noisy environment :
Mouth-to-mic contact is done to increase the volume of the singer's vocalizations . This technique, for both singers and speakers, works by amplifying the sound waves of the vocal cords. The increase in volume is typically quite dramatic and can be heard by those in attendance. On a live recording, this can also be done without the microphone being at close proximity to the singer's mouth.
There are many benefits to mouth-to-mic contact when performing on stage or on television, especially for more intimate concerts or performances where there may be a large number of listeners nearby.
In order to focus on the task at hand, many singers prefer to close their eyes while performing. This helps them concentrate on what they are singing while simultaneously blocking out light and distractions such as an audience. Some singers also prefer to not watch their hands or move around stage due to the potential distractions created by these actions.
As for the issue of singing with closed eyes, this is a personal preference that can vary from singer to singer. Some artists prefer closed eyes because they feel it helps them relax more into their performance . Others don't like to see anything while they perform because it can cause them to lose concentration or feel distracted by whatever they may be looking at .
Singing in an upright position may cause some singers to feel dizzy or nauseous. Placing one hand on the stomach can help to ease this sensation and keep the singer upright . It also serves as a reminder to breathe correctly while they sing. Breathing from the stomach is usually considered the most natural method, especially during singing.
They are not confident enough to sing live or they are not able to hit the high notes with the voice they have.
As for lip syncing, this is often done here for two reasons. The first reason is that an artist does not feel confident enough to sing live and do not want to disappoint their audience. The second reason is that an artist does not have a high pitched, resonating voice. Those who do lip sync are more likely to have a deeper, lower pitched voice because they can't hit the high notes in order to make them sound better in person.
These have all been caught and exposed by lip syncing in some way.
Please Note: Just because an ear defender is marked, for example, "Gunshot" - it will still cover other things, like "explosions"
Earplugs for singers are an excellent way to protect your hearing if you have trouble sleeping when wearing earplugs. While they may not be the most comfortable type of earplug available, they are inexpensive and effective, and it is worth investing in them to protect your future.
No matter what you enjoy doing in life, chances are that you can benefit from using good quality earplugs.
There are no downsides to having earplugs for singing, it will save your hearing in later life, and may actually improve your singing. For such a small investment, it has to be worth it
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You may have noticed a lot of singers put a finger in their ear while singing. That is because they want to listen to how they sound, and that is not possible with so many surrounding noises. Our ears block out the sound we make as it is usually formed in our head, which is why we hear ourselves differently from how people hear us.
Singers want to hear their own voice to make sure they don’t end up singing out of tune, so they put a finger in their ear. Some singers also use earplugs instead of using their fingers because they are more effective.
Yes, it is possible for singers to lose their voice with time. Singers who constantly hit louder notes end up damaging their vocal cords, which results in them losing their voice. Even with healthy habits, vocal cords can get stiffen with age. Since the vocal membranes are used a lot, they become fibrous and rigid with a reduced vibration amplitude.
As a result, more air pressure from the lungs is used to push the vocal cords into vibration. This happens due to voice usage and because of that vocal cords become worn out as the singer ages. Some singers also develop nodules or growth on their vocal cords, which can bleed and ultimately scar leading to the loss of voice.
Almost all singers use auto-tune and pitch shifting for recording as it is efficient and saves money. It also helps the singers by saving their vocal cords from fatigue. Auto-tune was introduced almost 20 years ago and was first used in 1998 to record Cher’s famous hit “Believe” which is why it is also known as Cher’s effect.
Singers mostly started using it when their singing became off-pitch because of damaged or fatigued vocal cords. Auto-tune alters the pitch of the singer’s voice to make it perfectly in tune. It is subtle enough when used correctly and can’t be detected easily.
If you require more information, please check these references
Acceptance of hearing protection aids in members of an instrumental and voice music band , article, “www.sciencedirect.com”, retrieved on, Sat 09-May-2020
An active hearing protection device for musicians , article, “asa.scitation.org”, retrieved on, Sat 09-May-2020
Hearing loss in singers , article, “books.google.co.uk”, retrieved on, Sat 09-May-2020