Got Ears? Get Informed!

Memorial Day - Reunions, Concerts, and Hearing Protection

As Memorial Day approaches, I find myself thinking about the holiday activities I have enjoyed over the years, such as concerts and reunions. Memorial Day is a big reunion time in particular. Recently, we had a gathering of a few old friends from my high school Class of '72. It was wonderful to visit with them and catch up; I had not seen most of them since our ten-year reunion!

We are all in our mid-fifties now, some already retired but most still working, and almost all of us have grown children and grandchildren. It's surprising how much we still have in common after all these years! But not surprising is seeing how many of us have hearing problems. After all those Credence Clearwater, Eagles and Kiss concerts from the 60's and 70's when our ears would ring for days afterwards, some of us have obvious hearing damage. I could not help but notice how several of my old friends kept turning their good ear in the direction of the person talking, and I am pretty sure that some of the nodding and smiling was not so much in agreement as, "I didn't understand a word you said, but please go on and I will try to catch up."
Fortunately today, we now recognize the dangers of loud music concerts and other entertainment venues. Hearing protection is readily available and easy to use. Unfortunately, however, many are still not aware that a Coldplay concert or day at a NASCAR race track can cause irreparable damage to one's hearing.

A couple years ago, we were fortunate enough to get to see the Eagles in Tulsa and then a month later, Coldplay in concert in Oklahoma City. This time we remembered to bring our ER-20 musician ear plugs, and we really enjoyed the concerts -- even the bone-rattling parts! Once we discovered musician ear plugs, it opened up a lot more opportunities for us to go to concerts, which we had avoided over the years because they had become just too loud for us to enjoy.

In the store, we sell a wide range of musician and concert ear plugs. What makes these different from ordinary ear plugs is the natural sound frequency response. Natural sound ear plugs don't distort the sound, but just make everything a little quieter, so you can safely listen to the loudest concerts, and not have to stick your fingers in your ears during the painfully loud parts.
Some of my favorite musician and concert ear plugs:

• Etymotic ER20 Ety-Plugs Hi-Fi Musicians Ear Plugs
• MusicSafe Pro Professional Musicians Ear Plugs
• Killnoise Musician and Concert Ear Plugs
• Macks Hi-Fi Hear Plugs Natural Sound Ear Plugs

Something else great about these musician and concert ear plugs is that they will work well in any loud situation in which you need to be able to hear accurately, just at quieter volume -- so these same ear plugs are also good for parades, fireworks, etc.

So this Memorial Day, whether you are enjoying some live music or taking in other noisy holiday events, please remember to protect your hearing in loud situations -- and advise your friends and family to do the same. You do not want to end up nodding and smiling through your next reunion!

Got Ears? Get Protected.
--Kathy Trotter Bergman
President, Ear Plug Superstore

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Memorial Day Water & Noise Protection for Boating and Water Sports

Warm weather is here at last, and it is great fun to spend time on the lake. As summer approaches, we will soon be in the water almost every day, kyaking, swimming or just riding our boat, the Four Winns, around to the marina to grab a burger and visit with friends.

Since I already have hearing damage, I am all too aware of the need to wear earplugs while enjoying water sports.

Lake Fort Gibson is a wonderful recreational lake, but it's not the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe or the Virgin Islands, and jet skiing and boating are the main attractions on our lake -- so along with sun screen, life jackets and mosquito repellent, ear plugs are essential gear.

I have ear tubes, so it is important for me to have swimming ear plugs to keep the water out of my ears while we are at the lake. I also need my water ear plugs to protect me from loud noises. Just a few hours on a jet ski or outboard motor boat can mean prolonged noise loud enough to cause hearing damage.

With Memorial Day coming up, I know many of you will be spending time at the beach or out on the lake, and it is important to remember to enjoy that kind of activity safely. It is best to protect your ears from both water and noise. In the store, we have swimming ear plugs which will protect your ears from water, but not all ear plugs for swimming also provide noise protection.

Here are some ear plugs that are perfect for boating and other water sports, because they do provide protection from water and also protection from dangerous, loud noises:

• Flents Seal-Rite Moldable Swimming Ear Plugs (NRR 21)
• Macks White Pillow Soft Moldable Ear Plugs (NRR 22)
• Flents Soft Vinyl Swimming Ear Plugs (NRR 24)
• Macks Ear Seals Reusable Ear Plugs (NRR 27)

Memorial Day is a wonderful time to enjoy boating, jet skiing, and other water sports. Just remember that when you are protecting your ears from water, you should also remember to protect your ears from dangerously loud noises.

Got Ears? Get Protected.
--Kathy Trotter Bergman
President, Ear Plug Superstore

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Quick Tips: Custom Ear Plugs for Motorcycle Riders

Westone Model 4RT

If you need to block wind noise, but still be able to hear ambient sounds such as traffic noise for safety, we suggest the Westone Model 4RT Custom-Fit Motorcycle Ear Plugs. These ear plugs are designed primarily for motorcyclists to wear under a helmet to help eliminate wind noise, but still let you hear the traffic sounds and other ambient sounds around you of which you may need to be aware. Made of soft vinyl material, and featuring a hollow canal style, Westone Model 4RT motorcycle ear plugs are extremely comfortable, even after hours of wear. The low profile, canal style earpieces mean the Model 4RT ear plugs will not interfere with your full face helmet, and each ear plug has a handy removal filament that makes removal and insertion a snap.

Perfect Fit Custom Fit Breaker Vented Ear Plugs

We also suggest the Perfect Fit Custom Fit Breaker Vented Ear Plugs for motorcycle riders. These ear plugs have a baffle vent installed that passively repels dangerous sounds. They allow you to hear low level ambient sounds such as conversation or traffic sounds while protecting you from dangerous wind noise and any other loud sounds over approximately 82dB. To see more information about how this baffle vent works, check out the original Hocks Noise Breakers page. These are the readymade version of the Perfect Fit Custom Fit Breaker Vented Ear Plugs, and are substantially less expensive than the custom version -- but they may not be good for use while wearing a full face helmet, as they can protrude from the ears.

Which Custom Motorcycle Ear Plugs Are Right For Me?
Either of these custom molded ear plugs are an excellent choice for motorcycle riders. They produce similar results, but they do so in different ways. The Westone Model 4RT is a solid plug with no venting, but features a hollow body so that some sound can still be perceived. The Perfect Fit Breaker Vented Ear Plugs have a noise breaker installed that repels sound with its baffle vent design. Since the Perfect Fit Custom Fit Breaker Vented Ear Plugs do have an opening that allows safe sound through unrestricted, the sound clarity can be somewhat better than the Westone Model 4RT. Also, if you experience any type of pressure issues with ear plugs in general (a "blocked up" feeling), we would highly recommend the Perfect Fit Custom Fit Breaker vented ear plugs versus the Westone Model 4RT, because the baffle vent does allow air flow and can help alleviate pressure.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom Bergman, Marketing Director

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How to Kill Wind Noise with Smart Ear Plugs for Motorcycle Riding

As a motorcycle rider, you already know that the noise created by the wind can be deafening, literally! Some studies suggest that wind noise can be as loud as 120 dB. Our friends at Web Bike World say the following: "For the record, it's our opinion that riding a motorcycle is a very noisy endeavor. The noise that is generated is always loud enough to be dangerous to human health and can easily cause permanent hearing damage."

So what to do about the wind noise? It's bad enough that it drowns out the sweet, throaty roar of your engine, but that it can permanently damage your hearing clearly means something has to be done! Typically, we hear from bike riders that they use disposable foam ear plugs. That makes a lot of sense, because many riders work in industrial jobs where foam ear plugs are provided, and a few may even find their way home in a pocket.

True also, we tend to use what we know works, and disposable foam ear plugs do indeed work for nearly everyone, whether on a bike or off in some other noisy environment.

So why not just use disposable foam ear plugs like everybody else...?

The answer is that there are several disadvantages of disposable foam ear plugs. First, each time you use a pair, they will almost always provide you with a different level of protection. This is because foam ear plugs are very sensitive to the method of preparation and insertion. If they have a crease when being rolled, they can lose over 90% of their effectiveness! In fact, there are many factors that affect how well foam ear plugs perform:

• If they're not inserted deeply enough, their effectiveness will be compromised.
• If they're worn properly so you do get the full rated NRR protection, you won't able to hear many of the traffic noises that can be critical to your safety.
• If they're reused (not recommended) they will rapidly lose their resilience, becoming unable to adequately fill the ear canal.
• If they're used properly (wear one time, then discard them), they will eventually cost more than reusable ear plugs.

So even when they are inserted and used properly, foam ear plugs can be problematic.

The smart solution? Choose reusable ear plugs that include an acoustic filter.

Reusable ear plugs all feature simple "plug and play" usability: no rolling is required. You simply push reusable ear plugs gently into the ear canal, and you're done. They work the same every time you put them in, providing a consistent NRR -- and you can safely reuse a single pair many times. By choosing reusable ear plugs with a built-in acoustic filter, you will get the best of both worlds: much of the wind noise will be blocked so your hearing remains safe, but you will still be able to hear most of the sounds around you, giving you situational awareness and a much safer ride.

Another benefit of ear plugs with acoustic filters is that you will still be able to hear your radio or stereo without having to crank up the volume (as is the case when you are wearing foam plugs). Too, foam ear plugs chop the highs so badly that trying to enjoy music on your ride is not satisfying enough to be worth the effort. Try acoustic filtered reusable ear plugs, and you will be amazed at the difference! For the first time you will be able to hear your music with satisfying clarity, in spite of the wind.

Now, I don't want to over-promise, here, so let's be clear. Music from helmet speakers will never satisfy a serious audiophile, no matter what kind of hearing protection you are or are not wearing. All I'm saying is, if you switch from foam plugs to reusable plugs with acoustic filters, it may seem like concert-quality sound compared to what you have experienced in the past.

Motorcyclists, as well as workers on the job, musicians, and concert lovers, too, are all rapidly finding their way to smarter ear plugs: ear plugs that limit the dangerous sound levels from which we all need protection, while still allowing us to hear what we need to hear to be safe, to enjoy our activities, and to be more comfortable in our increasingly noisy world.

If Reusable Ear Plugs with Acoustic Filters sound like the right choice for you, these are our top recommendations:

WindTamer™ Motorcyclist Ear Plugs	Surefire EarPro Sonic Defenders	Alpine MotoSafe for Motorcyclists	HearDefenders-DF™ Natural Sound Plugs
$8.53	$10.50	$28.25	$29.95

And whatever you do, be safe out there -- and enjoy the ride.
--Tom Bergman, Marketing Director

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Our Ear Pillow is Now Even Softer - With Memory Foam!

Now our Ear Pillow is made of super-soft, extra-comfortable Memory Foam!

If you sleep with ear plugs in, or while wearing an in-ear white noise device, you know that comfort is king. Great hearing protection won't do you a whole lot of good if it's not comfortable enough for you to sleep on!

Now, most people seem to find that a pair of soft foam ear plugs, or a set of moldable ear plugs, works great for sleeping. Flent's Ear Stopples and Quies Boules are both incredibly popular ear plugs for sleeping -- something about wax & cotton moldable ear plugs seems to be perfect for catching some zzz's. But sometimes you can't get the noise reduction you need out of the most comfortable plugs for your unique ears. And just like an uncomfortable ear plug won't help you sleep, neither will one that doesn't block out the neighbors/traffic/snoring/barking dogs/whatever other noises keep you awake at night.

That's where the Ear Pillow comes in. And now our Ear Pillow is even softer --

--because it's now made of super-soft, extra-comfortable Memory Foam!

This unique pillow comes with built-in indentations and pre-formed cutouts for the sole purpose of making it comfortable to sleep while wearing ear plugs. (The Ear Pillow is especially helpful if you like to sleep on your side.)

FYI, the Ear Pillow is designed to be placed on top of your normal pillow, not to replace it: the Ear Pillow's purpose is to add extra comfort to your existing sleep space, so you can wear your favorite high NRR ear plugs and still sleep like the princess and the pea, minus the pea.

Until next time, be safe and get some sleep.
--Tom Bergman, Marketing Director

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Surfer's Ear: A Truly Bone-Chilling Problem

Have you ever heard of Surfer's Ear?

Most of us are familiar with swimmer's ear -- but swimmer's ear isn't the only medical problem water can cause for your ears. According to the California Ear Institute, surfer's ear, aka exostosis, is the abnormal growth of bone within the ear canal. Exostosis is caused by frequent exposure to cold water and wind; this exposure causes the bone surrounding the ear canal to thicken. This can lead to water often being trapped in the ear canals after swimming, more frequent ear infections, and eventually occlusion -- complete blockage of the ear canal -- and hearing loss.

Exostosis can actually result from almost any activity that takes place in cold, wet, and windy conditions: skiing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, and diving, for example. But surfers, who endure a lot of exposure to cold water, are much more likely than the rest of the population to get exostosis (and to get it at an earlier age), thus the name "surfer's ear."

Surfer's ear is a truly chilling problem. Given enough time, bony spurs deep in the ear can grow wildly, even penetrating the brain cavity! The bone growth is irreversible on its own, and the only lasting treatment for surfer's ear is surgery. The colder the water, the faster exostosis develops. Surfer's ear has become more of a problem in recent years as better wetsuits and dry suit technology have opened up colder waters for surfing and other water sports. Cold water surfers now experience exostosis at a rate that is 600% higher than warm water surfers!

Fortunately, surfer's ear is preventable. The primary way to avoid this serious medical condition is to simply avoid water activity during extremely cold and windy conditions. Using good ear protection is also critical; surfer's ear plugs can help to prevent cold water exposure, and they're especially important for high-exposure activities like surfing or wind surfing. Wearing a swim cap or hood in addition to the surfing ear plugs can help, too.

We offer a dedicated selection of ear plugs for surfing. These ear plugs offer two excellent features: first, they prevent water from getting in your ear and causing damage, and second, they allow you to hear what's going on around you while you're wearing them. All of our swimming ear plugs will provide water protection, but only the plugs listed on our surfing ear plugs page are sure to enable situational awareness. It is important to be able to hear what's going on around you when you're surfing or engaging in other high-activity water sports, and that's what surfing ear plugs let you do -- while still keeping your ears dry and safe.

Our top ear protection recommendations for preventing surfer's ear:

(1) Sorky Surfing Ear Plugs for Surfing and Cold Weather Activities
		These specialized ear plugs are designed specifically for surfers and the prevention of surfer's ear. Sorky plugs fit deep in the ear canal, and they prevent both cold water and wind from getting into the ear. A unique membrane in the center of these ear plugs allows sound to pass through -- so you can hear voices and other noises around you -- while sealing out water and wind. Sorky is so good, we also recommend it for cold weather skiing, mountain biking, hiking and mountain climbing, kayaking, wind surfing, and sailing; if it's cold and wet, Sorky is the right choice for your ears. Sorky isn't cheap -- but if you're serious about cold water surfing, you need serious protection from surfer's ear.
(2) Alpine SwimSafe Premium Swimming Ear Plugs
		Alpine SwimSafe ear plugs provide water protection without blocking your hearing, and are a good choice for general water activities. The SwimSafe features a built-in acoustic filter that lets sound in while keeping water out, which provides the water protection and situational awareness surfers need. SwimSafe ear plugs have flanged tips that meld to the shape of the ear canal for a comfortable fit and good seal, so they won't fall out while you swim. Still, SwimSafe ear plugs are best for casual use; we do not recommend these plugs for diving, scuba, or other underwater swimming. If you're a warm water surfer, a surface swimmer, or someone who only engages in very cold, wet activities every once in a while, SwimSafe will do the trick -- and SwimSafe is a very affordable solution.
(3) Westone Model 70 Custom-Fit Surfing Ear Plugs
		These custom molded ear plugs are the very best surfing ear plugs available anywhere, period. They are also the most expensive solution. But if you're constantly out there in cold water, sitting on your board getting blasted by wind and spray while you wait for the perfect wave, you can hardly afford to be without this kind of high-grade custom ear protection. The Model 70 is designed specifically for surfing and swimming, and like other surfing ear plugs, the Model 70 provides both water protection and situational awareness. A sealed membrane covers a center channel to keep cold air and water out of the ear, while allowing you to hear what's going on around you clearly. And because these are custom ear plugs, the fit is unparalleled: maximum comfort, maximum seal against water, maximum effectiveness. The Model 70 is by far our top recommendation for serious surfers.

Which product is best for you depends on what kind of water sports you engage in, how often, what the climate is like in your area, and how tight your budget is. But please, if you do surf (or ski, snowboard, sail, or wind surf...) take the time to educate yourself about surfer's ear, and take action to keep this chilling medical condition from happening to you. Surfer's ear is preventable, so like we always say here at Ear Plug Superstore... Got Ears? Get Protected!

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman

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Ditch the Drops - 5 Better Ways to Prevent Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear is a medical condition characterized by irritation, inflammation, or infection of the ear canal. Common symptoms include pain, itching, red or swollen ear canal, drainage, swelling, and ringing in the ear. Bacteria and fungi are directly responsible for these painful symptoms, but the root cause is usually water in the ear... which is why it's called swimmer's ear!

Quick facts about swimmer's ear:

• Swimmer's ear is most likely to affect children and teenagers.
• Swimmer's ear occurs most often in the summer.
• Swimming isn't the only cause: baths and showers can trigger it, too.
• Swimmer's ear can lead to more serious issues; when in doubt, see your doctor!

Fortunately, swimmer's ear is easy to prevent. There are two simple steps you can take before and after swimming to protect yourself -- and your children -- from swimmer's ear. Step one, use a good pair of swimming ear plugs to help keep water out of the ears while swimming. Step two, make sure the ear canals are nice and dry after getting out of the water for the day.

Now, for years, ear drops have been the go-to solution for drying the ears after a swim. But ear drops aren't always the best choice. Some people find ear drops to be difficult or downright uncomfortable to use -- and children, especially, won't often sit still for ear drops! Too, ear drops typically contain alcohol and other chemicals that can make them a less desirable choice.

We recommend the following five newer, better, smarter solutions to keep your (and your children's) ear canals dry and healthy, so you can ditch the drops this summer:

(1) Macks Rechargeable Ear Canal Dryer
		The Mack's Ear Dryer is an enormously popular little gadget made specifically to help prevent swimmer's ear. Designed by an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor, this handy device gently blows warm air into the ear, effectively drying the outer ear canal. The drying air is actually warm and pleasant, and the Mack's Ear Dryer is totally safe and perfect for kids (adult supervision recommended). The Mack's Ear Dryer is portable, with a fold-up design for easy transport, and one 3-hour charge can provide up to 50 drying cycles -- so you can take your Ear Dryer with you to the pool, beach, or water park and keep the whole family's ears dry and safe! Also ideal for use at home to dry the kids' ears after bath time.
(2) Anti-Bacterial Moldable Silicone Ear Plugs for Kids
		About 90% of all cases of swimmer's ear are due to a bacterial infection of some sort, and children are the most likely to get swimmer's ear -- so North Safety's Anti-Bacterial Moldable Ear Plugs for Kids are a stroke of genius. These unique ear plugs contain a safe, anti-bacterial agent to prevent bacteria from building up on or in the ear plugs during and between uses. With these anti-bacterial ear plugs, you can reduce the probability of getting swimmer's ear or other bacterial ear infections. Sized for kids, these ear plugs feature a bright assortment of colors, and they come with their own carry case.
(3) Cirrus ClearEars Water Absorbing Ear Plugs
		Unlike other swimming and water ear plugs, Cirrus ClearEars are not designed to be worn while you swim. Instead, you insert ClearEars after you're finished swimming or bathing. The ear plugs safely and comfortably absorb the water left in your ear canals. Made out of a soft FDA-approved polymer material, ClearEars are safe for children and adults (always provide parent supervision when your child uses any type of ear plugs). ClearEars are inserted just like normal foam ear plugs, and they only need to be worn for 5 to 10 minutes to completely remove the water from the ear canals. As an eco-friendly bonus, these single-use ear plugs are alcohol-free and can be cut up and added to the soil of your house plants to help them retain water, making ClearEars a healthy choice for your ears -- and for our planet.
(4) Acu-Life AfterSwim Water Removal Ear Sponges
		AfterSwim sponges are a very clever and simple solution for removing water from the ear canals after a swim. Each AfterSwim sponge has very soft, pointy tips you insert into your ears; the sponge's tip breaks the surface tension on the water trapped in your ear canal, and the super-absorbant sponge material then quickly soaks up the water. AfterSwim sponges are safe, thorough, and fast, working to dry the ears in as little as a few seconds. Each disposable sponge has two soft, pointy tips, so one sponge is good for drying both your ears one time. Alcohol, glycerin, and residue free.
(5) Ear Band-It Ear Plug Retaining Headband
		Wearing ear plugs while swimming is a great way to keep the water out of your ears. But if your ear plugs aren't worn just right, they can sometimes slip out of your ears while you swim. The solution? An Ear Band-It Ear Plug Retaining Headband. These comfortable swimming headbands are especially designed to be worn over a pair of moldable ear plugs for swimming, ensuring that the ear plugs stay firmly in place no matter how much you dive or cannonball. An Ear Band-It keeps the plugs in, and the plugs keep the water out. For adults, try a large-size Ear Band-It with some adult-sized moldable ear plugs, like the popular Mack's Pillow Soft Moldable Silicone ear plugs.For kids, we recommend a small size (ages 1-3) or medium size (ages 4-10) Ear Band-It with some Putty Buddies Floatable Ear Plugs.

One last thing... If none of the above solutions appeals to you, by all means go ahead and use your ear drops! Though there are newer and more advanced ear care products out there, if ear drops work for you and your kids, keep it up. It may not be our top recommendation, but ear drops are not a bad solution -- and using ear drops is still a much better choice than leaving that water sitting in your ear canals.

At the end of the day, preventing swimmer's ear really is simple, especially with the right gear. Wear swimming ear plugs to keep your ears as dry as possible while swimming. Take steps to actively ensure your ear canals are dry once you're out of the water. Practice these simple preventative measures consistently, and you and your whole family can swim safely -- and avoid swimmer's ear -- this summer.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman

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Reduce Waste with Reusable Ear Plugs

Foam ear plugs really are great: they're inexpensive, they block out sound, they come in all different shapes, colors, and sizes, and they work for virtually any noise protection application. But the big drawback of foam ear plugs is that they're disposable -- they're designed to be used and then tossed in the trash!

Though a few of our customers have reported reusing their foam ear plugs, we do not recommend doing this. At the very least, foam ear plugs absolutely must be replaced as soon as they become dirty, sticky, or begin to become hard or lose their ability to expand after being rolled down for insertion. Dirty ear plugs pose a hygiene hazard, and on top of that, only fresh foam ear plugs can be counted on to provide their tested Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). So it's always best to use foam ear plugs as intended: wear them once, and then throw them away.

With Earth Day coming up, however, we suggest replacing your disposable foam ear plugs with a nice pair of reusable ear plugs!

Reusable ear plugs have many benefits. For one, they are suitable for water, the one place foam ear plugs cannot go to protect your ears. Too, just like foam plugs, reusable ear plugs come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and are good for a huge variety of noise protection applications. Finally, reusable ear plugs can be gently hand-washed with warm water and soap to keep them clean and ready for many repeat uses -- so they won't fill up trash cans or landfills!

Reusable ear plugs come in two general categories: industrial and consumer.

		Industrial reusable ear plugs are designed for workplace noise protection, but these versatile ear plugs often work for many other applications as well. You can get industrial reusable plugs from Ear Plug Superstore in quantities as small as a single pair of ear plugs.
		Consumer reusable ear plugs are typically a bit more expensive, but they usually come in attractive retail packaging, often with perks like an extra pair of plugs or a free ear plug carry case.

In ge neral, industrial reusable ear plugs are great for a variety of noise protection applications, while consumer reusable ear plugs tend to be optimized for one specific application, such as swimming or surfing, live music, shooting, etc.

Whatever you use foam ear plugs for, there is likely a good reusable ear plug available that will meet your needs! Here are some examples:

Sleeping & Snoring Relief

• Alpine SleepSoft

Music & Concerts

• Alpine MusicSafe Pro
• Killnoise Musician and Concert Ear Plugs
• Etymotic ER-20 Ety-Plugs

Motorcycle Riding

• WindTamer Motorcycle Ear Plugs
• Alpine MotoSafe Professional Driver's Ear Plugs

Hunting & Shooting

• Macks Ear Seals Shooting Ear Plugs
• Peltor Combat Arms Dual-Sided Ear Plugs

And see our Industrial Reusable Ear Plugs page for a great selection of reusable plugs for general noise protection.

Of course, if you're interested in going green with your hearing protection and reducing your waste as much as possible, custom molded ear plugs are the very best solution available. A good pair of custom molded ear plugs can last for years and years!

Custom ear plugs fit better and last longer than any other type of ear plug, period. However, custom molded ear plugs are considerably more expensive than foam or reusable ear plugs -- so if you don't use ear plugs very often, custom ear plugs are probably not the right solution for your unique ears.

Whether you're new to hearing protection or you've been using ear plugs for years, consider giving reusable (or custom!) ear plugs a try. By switching from foam plugs to a good pair of reusable ear plugs, you can reduce the amount of waste you create, lighten the load on our landfills, and help to keep our planet green.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman

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Foam Ear Plug Dispensers - A Leaner, Greener Solution

If you use hearing protection at your workplace, you probably know how industrial foam ear plugs are typically packaged: the ear plugs come in a box, and inside the box, each pair of ear plugs comes in an individually-wrapped plastic packet. All that wrapping piles up: not only can all those ear plug boxes and wrappers make a mess (especially if your employees or coworkers aren't too tidy), but after a week, a month, or a year of daily use, those little plastic packets add up to a whole lot of waste!

The solution: Ear Plug Dispensers and Refills. Foam Ear Plug Dispensers are the perfect way to reduce waste in your workplace. Ear Plug Dispensers are exactly what they sound like: they're devices that hold unwrapped foam ear plugs, dispensing them easily and hygienically right into your hand, one pair at a time.

Designed to work with bulk ear plugs that are not individually wrapped, Ear Plug Dispensers reduce waste and save time without compromising hygiene or protection.

Dispensers are currently available for Moldex ear plugs, E-A-R ear plugs, Howard Leight ear plugs, and Elvex ear plugs. Each dispenser works with different types of foam plugs, so check out our Foam Ear Plug Dispensers and Bottles page to find out which dispenser works with your favorite foam plugs. All Ear Plug Dispensers are designed to work with foam ear plugs that come unwrapped in bulk, so any of our dispensers can provide a great, green way to reduce waste!

Ear Plug Dispenser Key Benefits:

• Less packaging, less trash, less waste; the GREEN choice!
• Less packaging means the same great earplugs cost less.
• No more messy boxes and plastic packets on the floor.

One last thing...

If you really need individually wrapped foam ear plugs, or if you use foam ear plugs for personal reasons and want to help the planet from home, check out our Howard Leight foam ear plugs in paper bags! These ear plugs come in boxes just like regular industrial foam ear plugs, but inside the box, each pair of ear plugs is individually wrapped in a biodegradable paper bag instead of the usual plastic poly-bag. Four extremely popular foam ear plugs from Howard Leight offer this biodegradable paper bag option:

• Max Ear Plugs
• MaxLite Ear Plugs
• LaserLite Ear Plugs
• Multi-Max Ear Plugs

Always remember to protect your ears -- and protect the planet while you're at it.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman

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Protect Your Ears and the Earth with Eco-Friendly Ear Plugs

Kahlm Ear Dough: 100% All-Natural Biodegradable Ear Plugs

Kahlm Ear Dough is the only ear plug created with 100% all-natural ingredients -- beeswax and lanolin strengthened with cotton fibers. Ear Dough ear plugs also include natural essential oils which provide pleasant scents and leave your ears feeling moisturized during and after wear. The natural ingredients in Kahlm Ear Dough won't harm the environment. In fact, Ear Dough ear plugs are completely bio-degradable -- so you can protect your hearing from water or noise without damaging Mother Earth.

Wax and cotton ear plugs are extremely popular for sleeping because they are so comfortable, and Kahlm Ear Dough is no exception. But Kahlm Ear Dough ear plugs were actually designed for high-activity watersports like surfing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing! As a result, Ear Dough ear plugs are great for a variety of situations.

Imported from New Zealand, Kahlm Ear Dough is available in three lovely scents: Virgin Coconut, scented with tropical coconut oil; Tropical Sunset, scented with exotic ylang ylang essential oil; and Honey Babe, the natural scent of New Zealand beeswax! For an unscented option, choose Honey Babe, which contains no added fragrances and has only a very light beeswax fragrance.

 

ClearEars Ear Plugs for Happy Ears -- and Happy Plants!

Unlike other ear plugs for swimming, ClearEars ear plugs are designed to be used after you get out of the water! ClearEars are water absorbing, ear-drying ear plugs, with a revolutionary design that draws in and holds water. Insert a pair of these unique ear plugs after a trip to the pool, keep them in for 5-10 minutes, and ClearEars will safely dry out your ears, helping to relieve ear discomfort and prevent swimmer's ear. ClearEars also work well to dry your ears after a shower or bath.

These ear plugs are alcohol-free and made of Soft Comfort Foam, sized to fit adults and kids alike. When you're done drying your ears, remove the ClearEars ear plugs --

But don't throw them away!

These Earth Friendly ear plugs are made from a material that's safe and nontoxic to both people and plants. After you're finished with them, ClearEars can be cut up and added to the soil for your house plants to help retain valuable moisture. Your plants will love ClearEars, too!

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman

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