Carnival earplugs you will actually wear

Carnival earplugs you will actually wear are comfortable all day, keep the music clear and look festive. A custom earplug with a music filter does that. Do arrange them in time, though. Your earplugs are ready about three weeks after your ear impressions are taken, and hearing centres are busy around carnival.

Carnival means several days of partying in a row, in the pub, in the tent and on the street. That is great, but your ears take a beating. Below, you can read how loud it can get, why ordinary earplugs often end up in your coat pocket and how to get earplugs that suit the party.

How loud is carnival?

In the pub and the party tent

In February 2024, the regional broadcaster Omroep Brabant wrote that a maximum of 103 decibels is applied during carnival and that, without earplugs, this leads to damage after just five minutes. In the same article, ENT doctors (ear, nose and throat specialists) from the Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis and the Amphia Ziekenhuis hospitals warn that tinnitus can be permanent. For comparison, Hoormij, the Dutch association for people with hearing loss, puts the safe limit at 80 dB for a maximum of 8 hours a day and calls noise above 100 dB harmful.

On the street and along the parade

Outside, it is often a little less loud, but you stand there for hours. That is why municipalities set rules. In 2024, the municipality (gemeente) of Maastricht applied a maximum of 85 dB(A) at 3 metres from the sound source for carnival floats, and also 85 dB(A) at 3 metres for the outdoor speakers of pubs and bars. If you stand closer to a float, a speaker or a carnival band, it gets louder. How decibels work is explained in how loud is too loud and under dB(A).

Why ordinary earplugs end up in your coat pocket

Foam earplugs are cheap and sold everywhere. They also have drawbacks. They often reduce high tones more than low ones, so the music sounds muffled and you struggle to understand your friends. When you jump and dance along, they slip out of your ears. And after putting them in a few times with sticky hands, you don't really want to use them any more.

A custom earplug is made from an impression of your own ear. It sits firmly without pinching and stays in when you dance. With the DM filter, the music is reduced as evenly as possible, so the sound stays clear. The difference with universal earplugs is explained in custom earplugs or universal earplugs.

Hearing protection for carnival in the pub and on the street

Which hearing protection suits you depends on where you celebrate carnival and whether you are there for the party or to work. This table helps you choose.

The DIM filter is meant for bangs from shooting, hunting and fireworks. You do not need it for carnival music. An overview of all filters is on our filter page and in the glossary under DM filter.

Does your hospitality business or association have 10 or more people? Then we can also take ear impressions on site. Smaller groups and individuals have their ear impressions taken at a partner hearing centre.

Carnival earplugs with the Oeteldonk logo

Dressing up is part of carnival, so why not dress up your earplugs too? In the Designlab, you first choose the material and then one of the six colours, namely clear, black, white, green, red or blue. A custom colour is possible by arrangement.

Then you choose a standard logo from our range. For carnival in Den Bosch, there is the Oeteldonk logo, with the red, white and yellow flag and the frog. There are other logos too, such as Netherlands, Amsterdam, Achterhoek and Beer. Want something even more festive? Then choose a jewel in silver, gold or rose gold instead of a logo.

Is your carnival association, prince's guard (prinsengarde) or group of friends big enough? Your own logo is available from 10 pairs, with our patent-pending logo print. Have a look at custom earplugs with logo and request a quote.

Arrange them in time

Around carnival, many people want earplugs at the same time. In January 2023, Omroep Brabant described peak demand at hearing centres, with young people and whole groups of friends coming in for hearing protection just before carnival. If you are too late, you end up in the pub with nothing in your ears.

At Audibling, your earplugs are ready about three weeks after your ear impressions are taken. Add the time it takes to get an appointment at the hearing centre. The latest dates for carnival 2027 are in our article on how long custom earplugs take to make. This is how to go about it.

1. Design your earplugs.
2. You get a design code and a PDF. Use them to book an appointment at a partner hearing centre via book an appointment.
3. The hearing care professional takes an ear impression. How that works is explained in how an ear impression is made.
4. The ear impressions are included in the price and you pay at the hearing centre. Your earplugs are ready about three weeks after your ear impressions are taken. You agree with your hearing care professional whether you collect them or have them sent to you. So plan your appointment at least a month before carnival.

Tips for during the party

• Put your earplugs in before you go into the pub, not when your ears start ringing.
• Use the cord and clip that come with them. Then you won't lose them while you dance.
• Take a noise break now and then and don't stand right next to the speakers. Hoormij recommends this too.
• Keep your earplugs in the storage case and clean them afterwards. How to do that is explained in cleaning custom earplugs.

You will find all models in the custom earplugs collection.

Frequently asked questions

Which earplugs are best for carnival?

Earplugs with a filter that reduces music evenly, such as the DM filter. Then your friends can still understand you and the music does not sound muffled.

How far in advance should I have my ear impressions taken?

Count on about three weeks after your ear impressions are taken, plus the time until your appointment at the hearing centre. It is busier there around carnival, so start well in advance.

Can I choose the Oeteldonk logo myself?

Yes. Oeteldonk is one of the standard logos you can choose when you design your earplugs. Your own logo is available from 10 pairs.

Can I also use my carnival earplugs at a festival?

Yes. With a DM filter, they are suitable for parties, concerts and festivals. Also read custom festival earplugs and why music sounds muffled with ordinary earplugs.

Sources

• Omroep Brabant, Tinnitus gaat nooit meer over, oorartsen adviseren oordopjes met carnaval (ear doctors advise earplugs at carnival, 9 February 2024, in Dutch)
• Omroep Brabant, Topdrukte bij hoorwinkels, jongeren willen tinnitus met carnaval voorkomen (peak demand at hearing centres before carnival, 31 January 2023, in Dutch)
• Gemeente Maastricht, Uitgangspunten carnaval beleidsregels evenementenvergunningen carnaval 2024 (event permit rules for carnival 2024, Gemeenteblad, 8 February 2024, in Dutch)
• Hoormij, Hoe voorkom ik gehoorschade? (how do I prevent hearing damage, in Dutch, accessed 4 October 2026)
• Dynamic Ear Company, acoustic filters for custom moulds

Last updated 7 October 2026