The ones I use are below. Fabulous. We regularly rehearse at 100 to 110 decibels and they work great. You can change the setting via a slider and they’re small/discrete.
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I think my wife bought me a pair of loops. I have to remember to start using them. We don’t play super loud but my impression of “loud” is probably flawed.
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If nobody else on this forum gets tinnitus because of wearing hearing protection I’d be very happy.
Seriously it sucks. I sometimes lie awake at night with a high pitched note constantly ringing inside my head. Or I’m sitting down to dinner and I can’t hear what’s being said over the ringing noise.
It’s like mental illness. Nobody can see it but it definitely affects my quality of life.
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I started using Bose sleepbuds a couple of years ago. That helps a lot at night when the room is quiet and you’re trying to sleep. I’ve got them set up to pour brown noise into my head all night. I got nothing on dinner time though. It just sucks and I end up saying “huh?” alot.
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Tinnitus is no fun. I have it from years of loud sirens, music, guns, etc.
Mine is super bad, progressing to deeper hearing loss now.
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I would recommend to try going the other way if you can and play loud where you are i.e. get ear plugs and turn it up
There are good options suggested above…the ones I use are a custom moulded musician ear plug style similar to these
the ear plugs let through more of some of the important reference freqs for musicians while blocking others more strongly…you need to visit an audiologist and they cost $ but it has been worth it for me as I have had mine 15+ years and worn to countless loud things
As for the turning up the volume part when playing along to songs I do that so I can get the drums to a level where you FEEL the kick drum bass (like in loud live situation) and you can lock into that
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Thanks for the recommendation. I haven’t thought of the audiologist, but am now going to make an appointment.
I hope the posts hereafter, if there are any more, are about people achieving their dreams; the hearing loss and protection discussion, while very helpful, has taken a toll on my initial inspiration to join a band.
I empathize with Barney and howard.
As I said above, for me it sounds like cicadas in my head.
And as time marches on the hearing loss has worsened. Before I do anything I’m going to have to talk to an audiologist. So, a big thank you @g13dip.
Now, the stories of beginner to badass to band member . . .
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Second the Alpine MusicSafe plugs. When going to concerts, I used to wear the tailor made plugs I wear when riding my motorcycle, but then I couldn’t hear the music very well anymore. The MusicSafe plugs do what they promise: lower the level, while still allowing you to enjoy the music. And of course they are Dutch 
This is such a great picture of you, @Barney! It just radiates fun 
Oh, and to all my fellow tinnitus sufferers: I feel you.
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Thanks @Mike_NL is almost as if practicing somehow makes things easier. When really the answer is we should be buying more gear! Right?
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I just ordered two sets. They thoughtfully switched me to the FR/BE/LUX French language site, so I didn’t have to try to convert Dutch to German in my head. My last name may be “Maar”, a common Dutch word, but my heritage is 100% Prussian, for better or for worse.
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Greetings from Italy, mates!
I play as bassist in a local band.
Am I a bassist? No.
I started playing guitar when I was 16 (now I am reverse… 61!). My first instrument (still in the house) was a classic Spanish guitar. I learned the basics of music, but my main intention was singing the cool songs of those times on the beach with girls who would appreciate (I thought)…
[Quantum leap]
After half a life, I had a wish to play music again and I took from where I left with the guitar.
I attended an online course to refresh the fundamentals, you know, scales, chords, and so forth. Cool stuff.
A friend called me one day and asked: “Dude, you play bass, don’t you?”
I said: “Well… no. But I could try”
I entered my first band without even a bass.
I borrowed my son’s bass (he is a growing bassist, not me!) for some time and learned by playing Black Night, Summer of '69 and other nice & easy tunes.
So, I fell in love with the lower frequencies.
I wrote a letter to Santa back in November and asked for my real first bass. And Santa was generous: he brought me an Olympic White PJ.
I also registered to Josh’s super cool B2B course, which I am still slowly watching/practising. That is really something, man!
Meanwhile, I changed band, and I am learning songs at two-three per week pace (they have a long setlist).
YouTube is the other Maestro of mine.
I am proud that the band leader gave me words of appreciation just after two rehearsal sessions.
Conclusion: the progression is not necessarily “beginner”-“badass”-“bassist in a band” but it can be a loop.
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You play the bass, you’re a bassist. A beginner bassist is still a bassist.
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Hello @uida5054 and thank you for sharing your story.
Makes me think of Happy Gilmore.
I’m a guitar player playing bass today. 
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