Just taking a poll if you guys wear ear plugs when you dj real loud events, or for all the club dj's out there (i do both )
Just wanted to know! I wear them at Clubs when its really loud, do you feel they distort your ability to mix? whats your deal?

No, if I feel it is too loud for me, Then I also figure it might be a little loud for the crowd and cut back my volume a little. If it's not loud enough for the crowd, I will turn the volume back up, and then just cover both ears with my phones (they are very well sealed) and use the master/source control to hear hear my mixes.

to me i hardly ever wear earplugs, the headphones are my ear plugs, mmmmm keeps the music in, and the anoying requesters out.

My wife had to just go and buy some musician ear-plugs since she seems to think she suffered some nerve damage a while back. She's still waiting for an MRI appointment, but until that time she got the plugs. They are custom made for the specific person to be wearing them. She had to get a mold of the ear done first, then a fit test. They are supposed to cut back on 30db of noise. She seems fine now though.

Stevie Ray is correct in stating that if it's too loud for you it may be too loud for the guests as well.However sometimes due to the layout of the room or whatever you may be getting sound waves bouncing back at you that other people are not getting. If I feel any pain in my ears I just roll up a piece of soft paper napkin and use it for earplugs. It's a simple solution but it works for me. During my years in commercial construction (refineries, power plants, etc.) I always wore earplugs or this stuff that I liked called Bhilsom. It looks like cotton but it is much denser. These devices would work too well at a party. They isolate you too much.

I find it difficult to use ear plugs mainly because I'm always taken them off to hear whats going on with my sound system. I agree with M@artin in that in sound/volume perception is all about room layout and positioning

I will wear ear plugs if I happen to go to a club/event where I'm not DJ'ing and standing in front of speakers especially if the sound is really bad quality or just annoying.

ROQ out.

well i do some live bands stuff with my freind so i have to wear them

The plugs Dogg was talking about are the one i use they cut back the sound but you still hear the same sound

not like other plugs that just muffle the sound

AzPartyPleasers hit upon a VERY important fact. Wear earplugs, once you damage your hearing you can never get it back. You will either wear earplugs now or wear hearing aids later. AZ you get your choice of a 6pack cooler or 10 pack cd holder.

I don't start out wearing ear plugs, but I will once I feel it is too loud for my personal tastes. My customers seem to like it as loud as possible.

I carry 3 sets of ear plugs. All musician quality plugs. I have the North's, which I start out with, giving me 6dB of protection. Should that not do it, I have two different set of the Hearo's, the ones rated 12db and the other rated higher(28dB?). I upgrade as necessary.

What got me is at one event, this ONE lady was complaining that it was too loud as there were children present. Well, this wasn't really an event for children, yet some people insist on bringing them anyways. Turned out later she was the one tearing it up on the dance floor at even HIGHER volume levels.

I don't know how many of you out there are professional audio engineers or are the weekend warrior types, or the "I can get it loud" folks. My work relies on my ears being as functional as possible. My hearing, combined with my skills and experience and knowledge as an engineer, is what keeps things working and functioning properly. Right now I'm still the "new guy on the block" or even the "small fish in the pond", but recently, I've been blowing away the "tried and true" folks and causing quite a reaction in the circles I am working in. I turn my system up, they turn theirs up to compete(two rooms in same restaurant). While mine is clean, clear and loud, they are having massive feedback problems in a larger room wiht less volume, which goes to show their lack of skills.

Protect your ears, they are the only ones you get. I am planning on custom plugs for myself and my wife soon.