I have earplugs shaped after my ears. They take away 15db if I remember correctly and they doesn`t make the sound "boomy". Perfect I will say, and after getting tinnitus at the age of 14 I want to keep it away as long as I can. I think I`ve got four different sounds in my ear just now, but I`ve had them for such a long time that I`ve got used to it. But for all means, use ear protection! Your ears is one of those things you can`t "fix".  

I trully suggest Vic Firth's SIH1, for around 50$ they are just amazing!

3M 1100 Foam Ear Plugs (29 NRR)


These are the ones I use for EVERYTHING...live music, loud rehearsals,...even loud guests when you're trying to sleep. Buy a box of 200 and they'll last...forever!

I wear the Vic Firth headphones ...to ...ahem...mow the lawn!...I need my tunes when I'm mowin....



....and I use the VFs to play to music..

playing with earplugs is difficult at first...you dont know how loud you really are. It has taken me years to get used to it, and I still have some issues (I still play too hard sometimes.)

I usually just drink a fifth of JD beforehand, then everything sounds blurred together and quieter.  And even if it is too loud, I don't really mind if my ears start bleeding.
Acutally, I use a pair of flesh-colored earplugs I found at Osco Drug.  I trimmed the outer part down so they are a little more hidden from onstage, but still retain their decibal rating (as far as I can tell, anyway).  Also, I've been curious about the earplugs that attenuate across all frequencies, although mine don't really emphasize the low ends.  Just always trying to find the "perfect" earplug.