Even though I spend a lot of time on stage performing, I also spend a lot of time in the audience listening to other performers as well. That is why it’s important for me to protect my ears from the deafening volumes I experience onstage and off. In fact, my hearing is my most valued sense, and if I had to decide, I’d much rather lose my sight, smell and taste than my hearing. I could not live without music.
This is why it is a privilege for me to review the Faders noise-reducing ear plugs from V-Moda. They are passive earplugs that are designed precisely for my purpose: protecting my hearing while keeping music clear and audible. They make the standard foam “squeezy” earplugs look positively stone-age—the Faders actually pack quite a bit of science into something that seems to perform such a simple task.
The Faders reduce noise levels by 12dB. Unlike foam earplugs, which just mute all incoming sound, the Faders filter out only specific frequencies. Their aim is to filter out potentially harmful lower frequencies while still maintaining clarity on highs and mids. Lyrics and speech, for example, are supposed to remain clear while wearing Faders.
Putting them to the test
I tried them out at the dances at a fandom convention I attended over the weekend. The engineers managed to pack more sound into a tiny ballroom than it could possibly handle, but they also kept the music well-balanced and, despite how loud it was, the sound quality did not suffer for it. It was the perfect test for this product.
What I noticed is that at times, the music actually sounded better with the ear plugs in. Sometimes the sound was a bit overpowering, and when it gets to be that loud, the frequencies just kind of mash together. It’s then difficult to enjoy the intricate production that goes into the actual track. If you’ve ever been to a loud concert, you’ve probably experienced this phenomenon. With the Faders in, I experienced a much more balanced sound and was able to avoid the annoying ringing that I typically experience after a show.
All I can say is that I wish I had these sooner. My hearing has been affected by the abuse I have put my ear drums through over the years, to the point where I experience a slight ringing when everything else is quiet. I will definitely make sure to carry these on me from now on when I attend concerts and festivals, and recommend them to anyone else who loves live music too.
The good news it, this kind of protection is not that expensive. V-Moda Faders will run you $15; they’re made of stainless steel and come with three sizes of medical-grade silicone ear fittings (S,M,L). They’re also available in black, pink, and red. They are attached together with a braided cord that makes them resemble normal earbuds; the cord keeps them around your neck and prevents you from losing one if you’re in a crazy concert situation.
For being a cool product that uses technology to improve something that people take for granted, we are happy to award the V-Moda Faders our Icrontic Stamp of Approval as a product we’d recommend to our readers and friends.
The V-Moda Faders are available directly from V-Moda.
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