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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NASCAR® Hearing Protection for Fans of All Ages!

When it comes to hearing protection at the races, there are a lot of options available. This week, I want to give you a quick look at some of our most popular NASCAR® hearing protectors, and I'll also introduce you to our best NASCAR® hearing protection options for little fans -- babies and children!

Officially Endorsed NASCAR® Hearing Protection

	Spark Plugs are extra-soft and extra-light, but they carry an NRR of 33, the best you can get in a foam ear plug. With so much quality packed into each little plug, it's no wonder they're officially endorsed by NASCAR®.
	Designed for NASCAR® driver Rich Christensen, these EarPro Sonic Defenders ear plugs have two protection settings: 9dB with the stoppers open, or 24dB with the stoppers closed. These high-tech hearing protectors won't steer you wrong.

His and Hers Corded Foam Earplugs for NASCAR® Races

Hearos Corded Racing Ear Plugs are a great choice for fans of both genders. The regular size is NRR 33, and the ladies' version is NRR 32, making both of these a great choice for heavy-duty hearing protection at the track. Hearos foam ear plugs are very soft and smooth, so they're comfortable to wear for long periods of time. These Racing Ear Plugs also feature a cord, so they're easy to keep track of when you're not wearing them! Finally, each pair comes with a nice little carry case, so you can stick these in your pocket or purse without worrying that they'll get smashed or dirty.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY -- NASCAR® Hearing Protection for Babies and Children

NASCAR® can be a fantastic event for the whole family to enjoy -- but if you plan on bringing your little ones to the races, hearing protection is an absolute MUST! There are tons of good reasons to make sure your kids have proper hearing protection; here are the three big ones: Loud noises can be scary and distressing for kids. Those tender little ears are particularly sensitive. Hearing damage is cumulative... and permanent.

The solution? Ear Muffs for Babies and Children! They come in a variety of models, styles, and colors, they comfortably fit everybody from infants to small adults, and they're totally safe for babies. Any of the ear muffs on our Baby Ear Muff Page would be an excellent choice for taking the little ones to the races. Here's a few of our most popular baby ear muffs:

Make sure to protect the little ears in your life, and you can safely enjoy NASCAR® races together with the whole family!

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing -- and stay tuned for more NASCAR®-themed articles this week!
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman

A Bit O' the Irish - Green Earplugs & Earmuffs for St. Patrick's Day!

Green Ear Plugs May be Your Lucky Charm This St. Patrick's Day!

Did you know that blue was the original color of Saint Patrick's Day? Over time, the shamrock's importance in the holiday became more well known, and green ribbons became a favorite decoration to welcome the day. Today, St. Patrick's Day may actually be the most widely-celebrated Saint's Day in the world -- and the holiday's "official" color has become "luck o' the Irish" green. With parades, sports events, live music, and a lot more going on, this St. Patrick's Day is a great time to remember to bring along some green hearing protection -- especially for the wee ones!

Green Ear Plugs!
Howard Leight Matrix	Peltor Next Tattoo	Howard Leight MaxLite
Moldex Goin' Green	Moldex Meteors	Moldex Pura-Fit
Green Ear Muffs!
Silenta Kid Ear Muffs	Bilsom AM/FM Radio Earmuffs	Bilsom Thunder T1F

Protect your hearing this St. Patrick's Day -- and especially remember to protect the wee little ears you love, too.

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

 

Joining the Baby Earmuff Wall o' Fame is Now Even Easier

Have you checked out Ear Plug Superstore's official Baby Earmuff Wall of Fame lately?

The Baby Earmuff Wall of Fame is a place where you can see tons of fabulous photos our friends and customers have sent in, showing their babies, toddlers, and kids wearing hearing protection earmuffs! Not only is the Baby Earmuff Wall of Fame absolutely adorable to view, but it's also a great way to see our earmuffs for children and babies in action, so you can get an excellent idea of how the earmuffs fit and what the different colors and styles we have available look like in action.

We're passionate about protecting little ears -- and so are you. The proof is in the pudding. Only in this case, the pudding is pictures. You get the point.

My favorite thing about these photos is that they're taken at a HUGE variety of venues and events. This really shows how well baby earmuffs work, and how versatile they are. We've got snapshots of babies and toddlers safely enjoying just about every loud event you can think of: parades and fireworks, concerts and live music, races and airshows, and even Disney World and the Winter Olympics! With a good pair of earmuffs for children, your whole family can enjoy any noisy event together -- safely.

Anyway, I want to let you guys know that we've now got a brand new way for you to share your photos of infants, toddlers, and children wearing earmuffs!

Now you can submit your photos of your adorable little ones for display on the EPSS Baby Earmuff Wall of Fame using this handy form.

The form is safe and totally secure, it's quick and easy to fill out, and best of all, it doesn't require you to have an email client (like Outlook) installed for you to send us your photos. (Please keep in mind that the form only asks for first names; we will never display full names on the Wall of Fame. Your privacy is important.)

Now it's easier than ever to join the EPSS Baby Earmuff Wall of Fame, show off your hearing protection safety skills to your friends and family, and show the whole world that you care about protecting the little ears in your life.

Once again, you can submit your photos of babies and children wearing earmuffs using our shiny new super-easy-to-use form here.

So keep on sending us your great photos of your little ones in their hearing protection earmuffs!

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

Make Your Romantic Valentine's Day Getaway Even More Luxurious (Without Breaking Your Budget!)

There's nothing quite like getting away for a romantic vacation with the person you love. But while your Valentine's vacation to a romantic destination is bound to be fabulous, actually getting there may not be so great. With plane rides, crowds, and hotel rooms to contend with, even the most romantic of trips is sure to offer a little travel stress and discomfort!

But never fear -- we've got the knowledge and gear to make getting to your getaway much more comfortable, from take-off to touchdown. Smooth out those rough spots with some affordable travel-friendly items from Ear Plug Superstore, and make your romantic Valentine's Day Getaway even more luxurious -- without breaking your budget!

Flying
There are basically two big problems to contend with while flying: the pressure changes and the airplane engine noise. Pressure changes during flight can range from a minor discomfort to a big pain. Alpine FlyFit Flying Ear Plugs help regulate the pressure inside your ears, and they can also help block out the airplane noise... without blocking out your sweetheart's voice. If you're more concerned about the airplane noise, which can be irritating and fatiguing all on its own, a set of good Sennheiser Noise Cancellation Headphones can drastically reduce the background noise from flying.

Poolside/At the Beach
If your Valentine's Day getaway will be to a warm-weather spot, a pair of good swimming ear plugs like Mack's White Pillow Soft Moldable Ear Plugs will help keep the water out of your ears while you swim. If you'll be taking more than a few trips to the pool, beach, or even the hottub, some special water-absorbing earplugs or a Mack's Ear Dryer can comfortably dry out your ear canals after a dip, and keep swimmer's ear from putting the damper on your vacation.

Sleeping Well
No matter where you go for your romantic getaway, sleeping well while you're away from home can make your trip a whole lot sweeter. Pack a good sleep mask to make sure you can shut out the light for some quality shut-eye, and a pair of soft earplugs for sleeping to block out noisy neighbors in the next hotel room. (Our customers highly recommend Flent's Ear Stopples for sleeping and travel.) And for a touch of total luxury, a Sound Oasis Deluxe Sound Therapy System can let you create your own auditory ambiance with 120 sound possibilities, for extra-blissful sleep or to set the relaxing mood of your choice. The Sound Oasis also doubles as an AM/FM radio alarm clock, so this luxury item is also a very practical choice -- and it'll work just as well at home, too.

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

EPSS Newsletter: Hearing Protection for a Happy New Year

We at Ear Plug Superstore want to wish you a very merry Christmas day!

By now, the presents have been opened and the Christmas season is coming to a close. But even if you're already packing up the stockings and mistletoe, we all still have one great holiday ahead this winter -- New Year's -- and it's right around the corner!

That's right folks, it's almost 2012 already. My, how time flies! And one of the very best things about the new year is celebrating its beginning. Whatever the coming year may bring, New Year's Eve (and New Year's Day) are all about kicking off the fresh new year with bright wishes and good cheer.

Of course, New Year's is celebrated differently all around the world:

• In Scotland (where "Auld Lang Syne" originated) the traditional celebration is called Hogmanay, in which neighbors go out shortly after midnight to visit each other with well-wishes for the new year; in the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration, the event is observed as an all-night street party!
• In Japan, Bonenkai, or "forget-the-year parties" are held to scrub away the problems of the previous year in preparation for the new one, and Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times to represent expelling the 108 forms of human weakness.
• In the Netherlands, the Dutch have Christmas tree bonfires and enjoy fireworks.
• In Denmark, participants traditionally throw dishes at the front doors of friends' homes -- the more broken dishes on your doorstep on New Year's Day, the more friends you know you have!

Still, the most common traditions, like fireworks and New Year's Resolutions, seem to occur in cultures all across the globe. And many of our familiar American New Year's traditions -- parties, fireworks, singing, and gathering with friends and family -- are popular world-wide. In England, for example, people gather around Big Ben to hear the clock tower chime midnight, much as folks here in the U.S.A. gather in New York City to see the ball drop.

Of course, Big Ben is notably more noisy, ringing in at 118dB -- that's about as loud as a jet plane taking off, and is enough sound to vibrate your body from head to toes if you're standing in the belfry!

What do all these New Year's traditions have in common?

They involve making a lot of NOISE!

With this in mind, we at Ear Plug Superstore want to make sure your new year starts safely, no matter what kind of noisy events you plan to enjoy. So here's our New Year's Celebration Hearing Protection Breakdown:

Clubs & Concerts
Live music can be moving, powerful, or just plain fun -- but enjoying loud music with naked ears isn't a good idea. Rock concerts average an output of about 120dB of sound, and even a nightclub with a DJ can top 110dB. Bring some Musician's Natural Sound Earplugs on New Year's Eve to enjoy the music without distortion, and skip the ringing ears on New Year's Day. If you're bringing the kids, invest in some Earmuffs for Children; even a sophisticated symphony orchestra can be dangerously dynamic.

Fireworks
From 3 feet away, fireworks provide around an ear-shattering 163dB! But even from a much safer distance, those loud booms and pops can be distressing to the little ones. Make sure to equip your kids with Earmuffs for Babies and Children -- they'll keep their hearing safe so the family can enjoy the fireworks together. And don't forget the dog! Mutt Muffs Earmuffs for Dogs can bring some much-needed safety and calm to the family's best friend during New Year's Eve fireworks and other loud events.

Football Games
New Year's Day football is a much-loved American tradition -- but it's also a loud one, with cheering crowds reaching 117dB of sound! If you happen to be in the stadium this New Year's, bring a trusty pair of foam earplugs along, or pack your favorite reusable earplugs -- for example, Hearos Skull Screws, tough enough hearing protection for even the most macho of fans. For a more tech-savvy solution, pick up some isolation earphones with hearing protection to listen to the radio during the game, even when the crowd goes wild.

Parades
An outdoor marching band can trumpet out up to 100dB of sound, and paired with a crowd, parades can drum up a LOT of noise -- so don't forget your hearing protection if you attend a New Year's Day parade! A pair of Natural Sound Musician's Earplugs are an excellent choice for parades, as they'll block out dangerous sound levels while allowing you to hear music and voices clearly. And don't forget to protect the kids with Earmuffs for Children; they'll comfortably fit even small infants, so their ears remain blissfully safe as the floats go by.

Again, we hope you've had a great Christmas, and have a Happy New Year!

This year, resolve to protect your own hearing, and the hearing of your little ones -- it's an easy resolution to keep, and there's no better time than the start of the new year to start protecting the little ears in your life.

Until next time, be safe, and Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman
& the EPSS Newsletter Staff
Ear Plug Superstore
earplugstore.com

Three Unique Gifts for Everyone On Your List!

Gifts for KIDS

The EarSaver Volume Limiter plugs into between any standard sound source - iPhones, MP3 players, PCs, etc - and any pair of earphones or headphones, preventing the volume from being turned up harmfully loud. This is the perfect gift to accompany any kid's first phone, iPod, or other music device.

Silenta Kid Earmuffs are comfortable, light-weight, and come in two bright colors. These earmuffs are ideal for kids, and let babies, toddlers, and children safely enjoy live music, fireworks, and even NASCAR races. These colorful, effective earmuffs are suitable for even very young babies, and are sure to please kids and parents alike.

Pink Plush Headphones are pink and fuzzy! These luxuriously soft headphones make a perfect winter gift for any girly-girl. These headphones deliver good-quality sound with a very inexpensive price tag, and they're some of the only headphones that can make an ear-warming fashion statement.

Gifts for MEN

Radians Sound FX AM/FM Radio Earmuffs provide the ability to listen to music while protecting your ears from harmful or irritating noises. Available in black or blue, these earmuffs allow built-in radio listening, as well as having an audio jack so he can plug in his phone or iPod! This gift will definitely make his Honey Do list a whole lot sweeter.

ZonkOut Premium Foam Earplugs for Men are one of the only earplugs designed especially for men. With a larger size, these super-soft foam earplugs are designed to block out even the biggest of noises. Perfect for study, concentration, a nap on the couch, and ensuring he gets a good night's sleep.

Skull Screws Earplugs take hearing protection to the extreme! These earplugs are shaped like screws, and you literally screw 'em into your ears. Not only is the design cool, but it's also optimized to suit the way people naturally want to insert and wear earplugs -- making this extreme hearing protector an ideal gift for any guy.

Gifts for WOMEN

Sleep Pretty in Pink Earplugs are some of the softest, most comfortable foam earplugs available, making them the perfect hearing protection for her to wear while sleeping. These earplugs will block out snoring and other disturbing sounds so she can sleep soundly anywhere.

Remington M22 Hunter/Shooters Earmuffs for Women prove that being a girl isn't confined to sugar and spice! These stylish pink-and-black earmuffs come with a stock cut-out and an adjustable ventilated headband, making them the perfect gift for the woman who loves to hunt or shoot recreationally.

Mack's Dreamgirl Earplugs are made specifically to fit women with small or sensitive ear canals. The unique hollow and flared design maximizes comfort, especially during sleep. These earplugs feature a soft, small, silky smooth, contoured design that makes them ideal for sleeping, reading or concentration, loud events and travel.

Gifts for COWORKERS

Got Ears? Plugfones Workers Isolation Earphones are designed specifically to be used to safely listen to music in noisy workplaces. The earpieces are made of replaceable foam earplugs that surround the speakers, providing noise protection, comfort and music right in your ear.

Howard Leight Sync Stereo Earmuffs are the worker's friend! Now you can enjoy listening to music while on the job in OSHA regulated workplaces as well as the home workshop, the NASCAR racetrack, or other noisy events. A perfect gift for coworkers!

Marsona SoundScreen White Noise Machines provide pure white noise, and were designed for an office setting. One SoundScreen White Noise Machine can complete change the atmosphere of an office or cubicle. White noise blocks unwanted noises and aids concentration.

Gifts for MUSIC LOVERS

Etymotic ER-20 Ety-Plugs feature patented Hi-Fi technology that lets you hear all frequencies clearly, just as if you had no plugs in, but at a lower volume level. These reusable earplugs feature triple-flange tips that seal out sound without distorting the music. The prefect gift for anyone who plays in a band or loves live music.

Plane Quiet Platinum Active Noise Canceling Headphones are the newest ANC headphones from Plane Quiet. These headphones actually listen to ambient noises and emit an inverse sound wave to cancel them out -- so all you hear is the music. Comfortable enough for the longest flights, these work great anywhere noisy.

Westone UM1 Single-Driver Musicians Monitor Earphones are the perfect choice for musicians and audiophiles. The UM1 features a single balanced armature driver in each universal-fit earpiece. The UM1 provides truly excellent sound at an entry-level price, and is a surefire way to put a smile on any music-lover's face.

Gifts for HUNTERS & SHOOTERS

Walkers Bone Collector Digital HD Torque BTE is one of the most cutting-edge hunter's hearing aids on the market. Designed for all hunters, the Bone Collector Torque BTE sits behind the ear, providing sound amplification and protection from dangeous noises. Hear game or voices clearly, and still protect your ears.

Pro Ears Pro 300 Electronic Sport Shooter's Ear Muffs bring much of the power of the top-of-the-line Pro Mag model into a less expensive, lighter-weight, low-profile design. These earmuffs bring all the features hunters/shooters love -- without breaking the bank, making them a top choice for gifting this Christmas.

Peltor 30 Caliber Soft Foam Earplugs are is uniquely packaged like actual ammo; each plug is bullet-shaped, with a deep-insertion design created specifically to provide optimum protection for hunters and shooters. These earplugs are effective, fun, and promise to make for a delightful gift for the hunter/shooter.

Gifts for NASCAR FANS

NASCAR Team Series Earmuffs are officially licensed by NASCAR, and feature the color, number, and signature of your favorite driver. We only have a few of these collector's items left, and when they are gone, they're gone forever -- so pick up a pair for an unbeatable gift for your favorite NASCAR fan today!

Moldex Spark Plugs Foam Earplugs are an official NASCAR endorsed product! Made of extra-soft, extra-light foam, they offer the best noise protection available from an earplug, and they come in fun swirled colors! A great gift for anyone who loves to go to the races. (They're good for concerts, too.)

Plugfones Racing Fan Isolation Earphones are designed specifically to be used to safely listen to a scanner or radio while watching NASCAR or other noisy motorsports events. Plugfones work great for mowing the yard, too! Earpieces are made of replaceable foam earplugs that surround the speakers for comfy noise protection.

Gifts for MOTORCYCLE RIDERS

Windtamer Motorcyclist Earplugs provide variable noise reduction that increases as the volume increases. This means you can clearly hear voices and other traffic sounds in low noise environments, then instantly and automatically get the protection you need in the presence of dangerously loud noises, such as the wind noise at highway speeds.

Sensorcom Microbuds are tiny earbuds with such a low profile that they practically disappear into your ears. Because they fit easily under a wide range of hats and helmets, and their thin wires won't chafe or binde, these have been a favorite music-listening earphone for bikers for several years.

Alpine MotoSafe Natural Sound Professional Driver's Ear Plugs are the top-selling motorcycle ear plug all across the European Union! MotoSafe reduces volume evenly across all frequencies. This means that you can clearly hear your your radio, radar detector, voices, and traffic without distortion, but at a reduced, comfortable volume.

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If you still aren't sure what gift to get your favorite person this Christmas, feel free to drop us a line at info@earplugstore.com or call us anytime from 9am - 5pm (U.S. Central Time) at 918-478-5500. We'll be happy to help you pick out the perfect gift!

From all of us at Ear Plug Superstore, stay safe, stay warm, and have a very merry holiday season!

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

White Noise, Earplugs (and Ear Plug Superstore) in the New York Times!

Hearing protection -- particularly when it has to do with getting a good night's sleep -- is serious business.

You (probably) already know that we at Ear Plug Superstore take issues such as hearing protection, noise-canceling, and sound masking very seriously -- but we're not the only ones. We're happy to report that we were able to share a little of our hearing protection expertise with the New York Times, for an article on noise-blocking devices for sleeping which ran earlier this week!

Restful, peaceful sleep uninterruped by outside noises is a rare and precious commodity these days... and missing out on the deep sleep we need due to disturbing sounds can raise our stress levels, make us more vulnerable to illness, and (when the sound is due to snoring) even end marriages! If you have trouble sleeping at night, whether it's due to snoring or to other night-time noises, you know first-hand how important getting good, quality sleep really is. And we at EPSS know just how very helpful a trusty pair of earplugs or some soothing white noise (whether from white noise machines or from in-ear white noise generators) can be when you're seeking a good night's rest -- and so does the New York Times!

From "Noise-Canceling Devices for a Good Night's Sleep," the article that ran this week in the New York Times, comes the following excerpt:

"Over the last few weeks, I have tested several other gadgets designed to help you sleep or save your ears. Some of them emit sounds (usually white noise or a variant) in an effort to mask distracting noises. Others block sounds in ingenious ways. Used correctly, these gadgets could change your life — you might finally get a reprieve from your snoring spouse, or vice versa; you might finally get your baby to sleep (so you can spend more time with your snoring spouse), or you might finally drown out those unashamedly loud neighbors."

The article also featured reviews of several of our favorite sound-killing, sleep-related earplugs and gadgets. For instance, the author recommended the Marsona Marpac SoundScreen 980 for couples seeking better sleep, calling the machine "drop-dead easy to use," and adding that there was "something deeply pleasing about it" that gave it an edge over alternative, digital white noise sources.

Of course, if one person in the couple doesn't enjoy white noise playing all night long, other solutions are called for; this excerpt from the same article sums up the problem nicely:

"Now, imagine this scenario: One half of a couple snores interminably, but can’t stand a white-noise machine. The other half can’t stand the snoring. What can save this marriage? What should our incompatible couple do? Try foam earplugs first, Mr. Bergman suggested. The best earplugs (rated NRR 33, meaning they reduce ambient noise by 33 decibels) will provide significant relief from unwanted sound, but only if they are worn properly... For some snoring victims, though, earplugs are not enough."

The article then recommended our personal favorite snoring solution: the SnoreMasker Pro in-ear white noise generator. The author described the SnoreMasker Pro as follows: "I don’t have a snoring spouse, so I can’t comment on the SnoreMasker’s effectiveness. But I can say that when I inserted it and turned it on, I did feel enveloped in white noise, an entirely pleasing sensation. But an expensive one."

And they're right: the SnoreMasker Pro isn't cheap, especially compared to a pair of earplugs! That's why we always recommend trying a good ol' pair of foam earplugs or a white noise machine (or both!) first, before choosing the SnoreMasker Pro! The less expensive solutions may do the trick, and if so, great! ...But if even the best earplugs and white noise can't give you the peace and quiet you need, the SnoreMasker Pro is available, ready to knock out even the most sleep-disturbing snoring, without disturbing your spouse. (Drastic noise calls for drastic measures!)

Before the article concluded, the Times even mentioned a few of our other favorite items that had nothing to do with sleep -- notably the Etymotic ER-20 High-Fidelity Earplugs for music, and the Mack's Ear Saver headphone volume safety device (ideal for kids). All in all, we're absolutely thrilled to see hearing protection, particularly noise blocking for a good night's sleep, getting the press and attention it deserves!

So we'd like to say a big thank you to the New York Times for helping us share our hearing protection and conservation information with the world. No one should have to miss sleep due to disturbing, irritating night-time noises, period. (Again, you can view the New York Times article here.)

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

4th of July Hearing Protection for the Whole Family!

Fireworks. Parades. Car shows. Festivals. Races. Live music.

What do all these things have in common...?

They all happen on or around the 4th of July! In fact, with the warm weather and the kids out of school for the summer, few holidays offer as many fun family events to enjoy as Independence Day does. Whether you're boating at the lake, enjoying a parade in the city, or taking in some fireworks at the park, July 4th always means it's time to break out the sparklers and celebrate with your family and friends.

But something else all those fabulous 4th of July events also have in common is that they're LOUD! So while you're taking the family out to enjoy the fun the 4th of July has to offer, don't forget to take your hearing protection along, too! To help with this, we have some fabulous 4th of July hearing protection ideas to keep you, the kids, and even the family dog safe while you all enjoy the holiday together.

For adults, there's nothing that says "I'm patriotic (and I love my ears)!" like a pair of Max USA Earplugs. These comfortable foam ear plugs offer great protection, and each earplug is red, white, and blue! Grab a couple pairs of these, and you'll be ready to enjoy anything from a NASCAR race to a 4th of July marching band -- safely, comfortably, and in true 4th of July style. These are also great for teens and older kids.

For children, particularly infants and toddlers, hearing protection during loud events is especially important. (Remember: hearing damage is permanent -- so practicing good hearing conservation has to start early!) For a safe 4th of July for the little ones, we can't recommend our Earmuffs for Babies and Children hilghly enough. These earmuffs come in a varity of styles and colors, they're comfortable and lightweight enough to fit infants just a few months old, and our customers absolutely love them. With a pair of baby earmuffs on, even the tiniest tots can enjoy the beauty of the fireworks -- without all the potentially-frightening (and dangerous!) noise.

And finally, we can't leave out the last member of the family: the dog! Dogs often have trouble dealing with fireworks and other 4th of July events, simply because the noise levels are too high for Fido's sensitive ears to handle. But the dog doesn't have to sit home alone during Independence Day celebrations. Mutt Muffs Earmuffs for Dogs were invented to make it safe and comfortable for dogs to fly in small personal aircraft, where the sound levels are very high. So a pair of Mutt Muffs can keep your four-legged family member safe and comfortable, even through the spectacular booms of the fireworks.

With this fantastic hearing protection gear, this 4th of July can be one the whole family can enjoy together, safely.

But the holiday is right around the corner, so if you haven't gotten your July 4th hearing protection yet, you'll need to order soon! Unfortunately, we can't control what happens once your package hits the post office, so we can't absolutely guarantee your orders will arrive by the 4th. But based on usual shipping times, we recommend that you place your order by Monday, June 27th (for Priority Mail Shipping) or by Friday, July 1st (for USPS Express Mail Shipping) to receive your items in time for the holiday. (If you plan to be enjoying holiday events all weekend long, and not just on the 4th, we'd even recommend you play it extra safe and place your order via USPS Express Mail Shipping by Wednesday, June 29th, so your items will arrive in plenty of time for the holiday weekend.)

Have a fun (and safe!) 4th of July, and until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman