Ear plugs
Ear plugs can be used for different purposes and are made from various materials.
There are different types of hearing protection, yet the simplest version, ear plugs (made from foam), is sometimes just as effective as the most sophisticated solutions.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do you want total silence, or to hear the sounds around you but more quietly?
Are you looking for comfort or noise reduction?
Will the product be for regular or occasional use?
Most basic ear plugs are made from foam. The density and adaptability of this foam to the ear canal are what make the difference in terms of noise reduction.
Wax ear plugs, including the popular Quies ones, are effective but may be bothersome in the long term, depending on your ears.
Meanwhile, silicone ear plugs are reusable and washable (with warm soapy water). They are available with and without a filter. The noise reduction level varies depending on the usage and the type of filter (and the quality of the filter, in the case of musicians’ ear plugs, such as Etymotic’s famous ER20).
Thermoplastic noise protection stays in the ear canal and filters sounds thanks to its physical properties combined with your body heat.
Finally, made-to-measure silicone ear plugs will fit perfectly in your ear canal, but you will need to visit an audiologist to have an impression of your ear made first.
There are also wool ear plugs available, like those by Ohropax, for delicate ear canals or for children. Every type of ear protection is available in standard or children’s size.
So there you have it: now you just need to choose the right protection for your ears. You can filter products by use in order to choose one that fits your needs!
The noise reduction will depend on the material you choose. Noise reduction will vary between 12 and 31 decibels, depending on how you use the hearing protection.
Some people want to block out all sound, while others want to hear everything around them, but more quietly.
For example, special swimming ear plugs aim to stop water entering your ear canal, but their filter does let sound through, so that you can hear what is going on around you. Good hearing is essential in the water, whether it’s at the swimming pool or in the sea.
How do you insert foam ear plugs?
Once removed from their packaging, roll the ear plugs between your hands to compress them as much as possible, so that they are easier to insert into your ear canal.
Then, pull the top of your ear up before inserting the ear plug, so that it can enter more easily,
Once it is inserted, let your ear go while holding the ear plug in with your finger. It will then go back to its original shape, but adapt to your ear canal.
If you let your ear go too soon, the ear plug may not be inserted properly into your ear canal and may fall out.