Ear Plug Superstore - Official Blog

Finding the Best Noise Cancelling Earplugs for Sleeping

When you need noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping, you need the best. Few things are more important than getting a good night's sleep, and blocking out noise at night is just as important as blocking out light. But how do you find the best sleeping earplugs? What do you look for? A customer who's been using noise LaserLite noise cancelling earplugs for sleep for twenty years has some advice to offer:

I’ve been using these for more than 20 years.

I’m a light sleeper. In college I had a large-ish apartment and used to move from one room to another at night depending on which room was quietest from neighborly noise. It wasn’t until graduate school that I discovered the wonders of ear plugs. Finally I could sleep through the night in an apartment building.

I also soon discovered, however, that most earplugs made my ears hurt after a day or two of use. After much trial and error, I discovered these earplugs, the perfect combination of comfort and highest noise reduction capability.

Now, after more than 20 years, and now that I don’t need to be vigilant to children’s cries at night, I can once again enjoy the comfort and quiet of these earplugs.

When it comes to finding the best noise blocking earplugs for sleeping, the search isn't always easy. The hearing protection that works well for a friend or co-worker might not work well for you, even if you're approximately the same size and sleep in similar circumstances. To find the right plugs, you have to consider a few factors: noise blocking, comfort, and time.

NRR

NRR, or Noise Reduction Rating, is a measure of how much sound a hearing protector is able to block out. More noise blocking means a higher NRR, with the upper limit capping out at around NRR 33. If you sleep with a lot of noise, like snoring or honking traffic or loud neighbors, a higher NRR will be important. But on the flip side, there is absolutely such a thing as too much noise blocking! If you have kids you need to hear, or if you're a heavy sleeper who needs to wake up to an alarm in the morning, it may seem counterintuitive, but try the lowest-NRR plugs you can find first. Peace and quiet are essential - that's why you need noise cancelling earplugs to sleep in the first place - but remember that your safety is just as important.

Comfort

Ear plugs that block sound perfectly and hurt your ears might as well block no sound at all: you're just going to take them out. When it comes to industrial noise, we often say "the best hearing protection is the one you actually use," and that's just as true with sleeping. Soft foam is going to be the key here: look for earplugs with very soft foam construction, usually UF rather than PVC material is softer. Thermo-reactive material may be a great feature to keep an eye out for, as the heat from your body passively softens this kind of foam so it conforms to your ear and stays soft through the night. A smooth-skinned coating also helps to ensure the plugs won't irritate your sensitive ear canal skin after hours of wear.

Also consider the shape of the plugs when you're considering comfort. The material isn't everything. A slightly smaller size is likely to be more comfortable, especially if you're a side-sleeper; just keep in mind that a smaller ear plug with a narrower diameter is likely to block less noise than a fatter plug would. Similarly, if your foam earplugs are too long to sleep comfortably on your side, many of our customers have reported that you can trim the plug down to be shorter, so it won't stick out! This is a perfectly good solution for fit and comfort, but note that this will dramatically reduce the amount of sound your plugs are able to block: cutting them up takes the NRR way down. That said, if you're trying to find the best sleeping ear plug, comfort is just as important as noise cancelling, and you're probably not at risk from hazardously loud noise - so if you're feeling the urge to grab some scissors and experiment, it won't hurt to give it a shot.

Time (and Cost.)

If you're using earplugs for sleeping every night, congratulations: the hardest part is done. You found the right plugs for your ears. But they say time is money - and wearing earplugs every night can add up. To start, if you're using foam sleeping earplugs, you should really change to a new pair every night. Almost all foam earplugs are designed to be disposable - that is, thrown away after a single use. This is primarily to prevent wax and bacteria from building up on your plugs and in your ear canals, and also to ensure the plugs are soft, comfortable, and effective every time. You need to keep your ears clean and safe, while also having the noise cancelling you need in the night.

The customer above found one excellent answer: buy in bulk. Many popular foam earplugs for sleeping can be found in local pharmacies and grocery stores in small packages containing just a few pairs. These are handy, but can also mean you're paying up to 10x as much per pair of plugs. The trick is that those same plugs are often available in other packaging intended for industrial customers. The hearing protection you use for sleeping might also be popular for blocking out jackhammers and heavy-duty machinery. And that means you can buy a full box of foam plugs just once or twice a year, get exactly what you know you need, and have a fresh pair to use each night... for a fraction of what the consumer packs of plugs on the shelf would cost you.

There's also a note to be made here about custom sleeping earplugs. The best noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping will be, hands down, a professionally custom fitted pair. These are made by taking an impression of your ear canal and using that to custom-craft a set of earplugs that fit your ears perfectly. And when you're using earplugs for sleeping every night, for years, moving to a custom set designed to be reused over and over again brings huge savings: less waste, and less money in the long run. Pro custom earplugs are very expensive compared to foam plugs, though, so unless you're sure you'll need noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping in the long term, it may be wiser to keep experimenting with disposable foam.

Where to Start?

Don't get frustrated with yourself if it takes some trial-and-error to find the perfect sleeping earplugs for your unique ears. Like this customer writes, it may take several tries before you find the right balance of sound blocking and comfort - but don't give up! Once you find the right sleeping plugs, you can stick with what you know and what works - potentially for years. Many of our customers do.

To start the search for the perfect noise cancelling sleeping earplugs for you, try these handy links.

• LaserLite Foam Earplugs - the ones from the customer review above, in a bulk box.
• Just the Smallest - a selection of super soft, smaller-sized foam plugs to try for those with sensitive ears.
• Just the Highest NRR - if you're sleeping with loud noise like snoring, start here.
• Foam Earplugs in Box Quantities - if you know which plugs you need, stock up and seriously save.
• Pro Custom Sleeping Plugs - if you're ready, you're ready.
  
  

And as always - until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Can I Make Custom Ear Molds if I Have Exostosis?

Q.Hi, I would like to purchase the surfing ear plugs. I have exostosis. Does that stop me from being able to do my own ear plug molds at home? I'm also interested in the sonolab V5 instafit. Same question about the mold process. I'm a carpenter and standard ears plugs irritate my ears. Thank you.

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A.I would be reluctant to give you an opinion as to whether you can safely make impressions or make ear plugs, given your medical condition. What I can definitely tell you is the safest bet would be to go to an audiologist and have impressions made, at least for your first go. While there you can discuss your condition and what you would like to try in the way of DIY earplugs or custom ear impressions, and the doc should be able to advise you.

The Sonolab V5 seems a little less risky since the mold material is fully contained inside a rubber bladder, but depending on the conformation of your canal, it is possible that the bladder may not expand enough to fill the canal properly, resulting in a poorly performing plug - or it could expand too much inside the canal to be able to remove it through the smaller opening... not good. I can't guarantee it wouldn't work, but given the uncertainty, and knowing how critical it will be for you to get ear protection that works flawlessly to prevent further damage, I wouldn't suggest taking the gamble.

If you're dead set on making your own custom plugs, at least talk to your family doctor first. And if you have the option, I would strongly advise you to err on the side of caution, and go to an audiologist or EENT to get your plugs made.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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How to Make Your Own Custom Ear Plugs

No two pairs of ears are exactly the same, so getting a comfortable and effective fit from a pair of off-the-shelf earplugs can take a little - or lot of - trial and error. Do you need foam, rubber, silicone, or something else entirely? Do you need large earplugs or small ones? How about long or short? There are a LOT of choices, and you may need to try several different kinds before you find some that are comfortable and work for your purposes... it can get overwhelming.

Custom Ear Plugs to the Rescue.

Custom ear plugs solve virtually all of the common problems people experience with finding the right ear plugs, because they're made especially to fit your unique ears like a one-of-a-kind glove. Each set of custom plugs are (just as the name suggests) custom-made to fit your ears and your ears alone. The benefits to this approach are huge: custom ear plugs provide the best possible seal against sound and water, keeping your ears safe, and they're the most comfortable choice, too, by far, with a secure fit that will stay put all day and won't fall out even during sleep or activity.

The drawback? Custom molded ear plugs are expensive. The professional models start at around $140, and they only get more costly from there. They offer a ton of benefits, for sure: they're durable and last for years, the fit is often guaranteed, the materials are high-end, and they can come with a variety of features ranging from handles and cords, to special noise filters, or even to embedded electronics that amplify ambient sound!

But if you don't have the budget for professionally custom-molded ear plugs, don't despair: you can make your own!

Full disclosure: DIY custom ear plugs will not last as long as the professionally-made ones, or fit as perfectly, or come with any guarantees... but they're a tiny fraction of the cost of pro custom plugs. That's nothing to sneeze at. And they are still molded to fit your unique ears, taking the guesswork out of getting a good fit, so it's really no wonder so many people want to make their own custom plugs.

So... how do they do that, anyway?

The Process: How Custom Ear Plugs are Made

Before you get started, it's important to understand how custom ear plugs are usually made. Let's start by looking at how the pros do it.

Professional custom ear plugs require ear impressions, which - if you're buying ear plugs online - you typically have to figure out how to have made yourself. You can pay for ear impressions to be made by an audiologist locally, or you can sometimes make your own with a kit. An audiologist will be significantly more expensive, but can provide the most accurate impressions. If you make your own impressions, it may take a couple attempts to get them perfect.

Whether you're seeing an audiologist or making ear impressions yourself, the process is largely the same: it involves mixing multiple types of putty into a single impression material and then inserting that material deeply into the ear canal. Typically there's a foam stopper that goes in your ear first, to prevent the impression material it from going too deep and touching your ear drum. You then keep the impression material in place in your ears for a few minutes while it firms up, at which point you can remove it. These impressions are a little awkward to make, and very strange-looking, but they're critical: the impression is used to mold the custom plugs that will be professionally created for you in the lab.

So that's how professional ear mold labs create custom plugs - but how do you do it yourself at home? These days, do-it-yourself (DIY) custom ear plugs come in quite a few varieties! So let's look at the options.

The Options: Types of DIY Custom Ear Plugs

Several different types of DIY custom ear plugs are available to choose from, which is great news for someone looking to make their own custom hearing protection. There's a lot of variety these days! No matter which type of DIY plugs you're getting, the common denominator is that each set of custom plugs comes in a self-contained kit you can buy and use yourself at home. Some are more complicated than others, and some offer more features, but all of them are designed to be safe and simple for a novice to use. Most DIY custom plugs fall into one of two categories: Mix & Form, or Heat & Shape.

DIY Custom Ear Plugs: Mix & Form

This is the most popular type of DIY custom plug: the kind made out of putty. Making your own custom ear plugs with these kits actually isn't so different from making ear impressions, only the end result is a pair of finished ear plugs. Generally speaking, these kits all include two types of putty in separate containers. To create the ear plugs, you'll just open the containers, mix the putty together into a uniform blob ("uniform" meaning "no visible streaks"), and then stick the mixed material in your ears until it hardens. Some have foam stops, some have syringes (just the plastic tube - no needles!), but all of them work the same way.

The Radians DIY Ear Plug Kit contains instructions and material to make one complete set of DIY custom ear plugs

The putty is generally easy to mix; you can do it by hand, and the process is painless and straight-forward. However, one issue to be aware of is that speed is a factor: the putty material will begin to harden as soon as it is mixed, so it's important to get it properly inserted into the ear canals before it starts to get firm! This can require you to focus and move relatively quickly.

Finished DIY custom ear plugs made out of mixed putty only take 10-15 minutes to make, and once they're firm, they're ready to use. They're all made out of hypoallergenic medical-grade materials, and are washable with a lifespan of up to several months depending on how often they're used - so they provide really great value for the relatively low cost. But be aware: these are not the most finished earplugs in the world. They'll look a little rough, though they should feel smooth and comfortable enough to your ears.

Recommended Mix & Form DIY Custom Plugs

If the Mix & Form putty style of DIY custom ear plugs seems right for you, our top recommendation are Radians Custom Molded Ear Plugs. These are by far our customers' first choice when it comes to making their own custom plugs. These best-in-class DIY ear plugs are highly affordable at under $11, suitable for a huge variety of noise protection, and work to keep water out, too (so they're even a good option for kids with ear tubes). They're comfortable and easy to mix, with clear instructions and demo videos to help you feel confident you've got it right, and optional screw-in lanyards let you choose to add a convenient cord (sold separately). They come in several colors ranging from bright to subtle, to fit your preferences and lifestyle.

Radians DIY Custom Ear Plugs are popular and come in a variety of colors

Radians are rated at NRR 26 - though it's important to understand that noise reduction from DIY plugs may vary, since they're not made under the sort of controlled setting as professional custom plugs.

Another good and highly-rated option is the E.A.R. Inc's DIY Custom Ear Plug Kit. These are a slightly more "deluxe" kit (and more expensive at $19) but they include a lanyard and a nice little drawstring carry bag, which is great for using your custom ear plugs on the go. They also come in slightly more colors - but otherwise, they're nearly identical to Radians, with the same benefits.

E.A.R. Inc. DIY Custom Ear Plugs are another solid putty-type choice

Note that both of these do require you to mix the putty yourself and move fairly quickly, as with all Mix & Form DIY custom ear plugs. If this sounds stressful or problematic, the other type of DIY custom plug might be more up your alley: Heat & Shape.

DIY Custom Ear Plugs: Heat & Shape

Heat & Shape DIY custom plugs are a newer option, and offer the same core benefits as other DIY plugs: a custom-fitted ear plug that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, that you can make in the safety of your own home. These are, however, typically more expensive than the traditional Mix & Form DIY type, starting at around $25. But you get some pretty impressive benefits in exchange for the price difference - and they're still a fraction of the cost of pro custom plugs.

The biggest advantage Heat & Shape DIY custom plugs offer is just what it sounds like: they're simply shaped using heat. Most require nothing more complicated or intimidating to make than the kit and a mug full of hot water. You soften the plugs (or part of the plugs) by dropping them into hot water, then insert them into your ears to cool and take the shape of your ear canals. (Make sure not to stick them in your ears when they're too hot - use caution!)

Heat & Shape plugs are typically just a little quicker to make than most putty plugs. They're also easier to handle, requiring no putty mixing to create, and they're tidier, with no sticky materials to potentially drop and get ground into the carpet. They're also smooth-skinned when they're finished, with a glossy outer layer that the mixed putty plugs really can't compete with. So if look and feel are especially important to you, these may be worth paying a little more for.

Another HUGE benefit to the Heat & Shape type?

You can actually re-mold them!

If you don't get it exactly right the first time, you can just try again! If trying to beat the clock to get putty materials mixed before they harden sounds stressful, or if making your ear plugs yourself seems daunting, then these heat-molded plugs will be a perfect fit for you. No stress, no mess, and no need to get putty on your fingers - you can take your time to get it right, and try again as many times as you need to. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Recommended Heat & Shape DIY Custom Plugs

The first Heat & Shape custom plugs to hit the market, Decibullz DIY Custom Molded Ear Plugs recently got a sleek redesign. These have better noise reduction than any of the putty-type plugs, setting them on a tier above the rest with NRR 31 protection from hazardous sound. They come in a range of attractive colors, and the thermoplastic material is glossy and smooth, for a polished look and finished feel. Like all custom plugs of this type, you can re-mold Decibullz until they fit perfectly. Note that these are multi-part plugs that do require a little simple assembly; the custom molded earpieces ensure a good fit, while the fit tips extend deep into the ear canal for superior noise-blocking. The tips come in three sizes and two materials, for a customizable fit and feel. The earpieces come in a variety of colors, and the included carrying pouch helps keep the pieces together. A lanyard is available as an add-on (sold separately). Not bad for a total pricetag just under $26.

Decibullz Heat & Shape Custom Plugs are re-moldable, so you can get it perfect - for sure

Decibullz have raised the bar for DIY custom plugs again recently by launching a line of DIY custom plugs with musician's sound filters in them. If you need to reduce the volume while still hearing speech and music clearly, musician's ear plugs are the best solution - and now you can get those musician's sound filters in a set of custom ear plugs you can make yourself. These come in Decibullz DIY Custom High Fidelity Ear Plugs (NRR 12), as well as a professional high-fi version, and a version designed with percussive filters especially for shooters. All of these are significantly more expensive than any of the other DIY custom plug kits ($75 and up!), but still less costly than pro custom plugs. And when hearing clearly while staying protected is the goal, these can do what other DIY customs cannot.

Note that Decibullz isn't the only player in the Heat & Shape bracket. You can also get ZenPlugs DIY Custom Molded Ear Plugs, which are also shaped with simple hot water and can be molded (and re-molded as many times as you like!) to fit your ears. These come in two bright colors, and have the benefit of including a spare moldable plug with each pair, so even if you lose one, you're still covered. They have less moving parts than Decibullz, with no need for fiddly ear tips, so they're a little easier to form and assemble. They're also super low-profile, with a significantly smaller form factor and less material of any kind visible from the outside. ZenPlugs come with an included lanyard and a small packet of ear lubricant, too, for a touch of extra convenience and comfort. These are priced about on-par with Decibullz, at just under $29.

ZenPlugs are so low-profile, they require an insertion tool when you make them!

At the end of the day, the older Mix & Form plugs tend to be more popular and highly rated by customers than the newer Heat & Shape plugs. The putty type plugs are also less expensive - but they require a quick hand to make, and you only get one chance to get it right. Heat & Shape custom plugs are user-friendly and attractive-looking with more potential features, but they're more expensive, so they just haven't caught on as much as the putty plugs have. No matter which DIY kit you pick, the process of making your own custom ear plugs is ultimately as simple as using the kit and following the instructions. 

Which type of DIY custom ear plugs are the best choice for you and your unique ears is going to vary a great deal from one person to another. It's just subjective. But a set of DIY custom plugs is much more likely to fit your ears perfectly than a pair of off-the-shelf universal fit foam or rubber plugs, that much is sure. And the DIY part means you'll be paying a whole lot less for custom-molded hearing protection, no matter what you choose.

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Now that you know everything about how to make your own custom ear plugs, and what your options are, you can make an educated choice for yourself. And when you get your DIY earplug kit in the mail, you can be confident that you're ready, with all the information you need to make custom ear plugs at home safely and successfully.

For easy reference, you can check out all our DIY Custom Ear Plug Kits right here.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Questions About Custom Ear Plugs for Max Noise

Q.Hi, I am interested in getting a pair of custom earplugs. I don’t know what is the best ones to get? 3 of the options that I was looking at were the Perfect Fit CNP model, the Westone DefendEar style 40 custom-fit, & the Westone DefendEar industrial max custom high noise ear plugs. But am open to others as well if there’s something that better suits me.

I am not looking for earplugs for sleeping, or earplugs that allow you to hear some noise clearly (like talking etc...) or for listening/playing music. Am basically looking for something with the maximum noise elimination performance. I do not need them for hearing protection, like at a shooting range. Looking for something to deal with a high traffic/noisy motorcycles type of thing. I want custom plugs because sometimes other earplugs hurt my ears.

I would like to also ask about the disappear colors? I would prefer a color that is not very noticeable. Saw that the disappear colors don’t work if you add a certain kind of coat, slick-sim or something? Which I was interested in. Also thought about getting a beige color but don’t know if that would work? Finally I want to ask about the metal detectable option and what that is? Thank you.

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A.First, which model to choose. If you need maximum noise protection in a custom ear plug, then you do have some choices, and you picked some good places to start. The Perfect Fit CNP Model is the least expensive of the options you listed, but the downside is that the Slic Sil coating and the disappear color are not available for these.

Out of the Westone models, the Westone DefendEar Industrial Max gives you some neat accessories and some options that cost extra when you buy just the Westone Style 40, which is the same plug in essence. Both have the same solid custom design and offer high noise protection.

Any of these will meet your requirements well for hearing protection to defend against traffic noise, motorcycle noise, and other irritating daily background sounds.

Now, given that you're seeking a neutral color and a solid defense against a variety of daytime noises, it sounds like you're going to be using these custom plugs a great deal of the time in your day-to-day life. If that's the case, then I would actually suggest the Westone DefendEar Industrial Convertible. The industrial convertible will let you choose between maximum noise attenuation, and filtered attenuation, which is a great option when you want to hear voices and soft sounds, but still need protection from noise spikes. You can use the max mode the vast majority of the time, but you will be able to easily switch to the filtered mode to hear voices or other sounds for convenience and safety.

On to coating and colors. The Slic Sil anti-microbial coating is an excellent choice for custom plugs you'll be using every day. You are correc that the coating is not compatible with the disappear colors. You're not the only one who's had this question! To get the most subtle color compatible with Slic Sil coating, choose rose standard as the color. It is very close to the disappear color, and it works with Slic Sil.

Both the Slic Sil and rose standard color, plus the pop cord and zip pouch accessories (and initial engraving!) are included at no extra charge in the Westone industrial max and industrial convertible. If those (honestly very nice) features are a priority, these Westone models are definitely a better fit for you than the PerfectFit model.

Again, all things considered, I recommend the Westone DefendEar Industrial Convertible. The convertible is nearly identical to the max. There is a one dB (29 vs 28) difference in noise blocking, which is undetectable by most people. But with the ability to move the convertible's pop cord to the second hole to drop the NRR to 21, you'll find your high-NRR custom plugs to be an especially versatile and convenient solution in your daily life.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Help with Ear Plug Ear Pain?

Q.I have been using foam ear plugs for about 10 years and never had a problem until a few months ago. One of my ears started to hurt when I woke up in the morning, it can sometimes be excruciating.

I feel like the smart thing to do would be to take some time off from ear plugs, but I honestly cannot sleep without them. I have tried silicone plugs but they hurt just as bad. Do you think custom ear plugs would solve my problem? I am a side sleeper so I feel like anything protruding from my ear exacerbates the problem.

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A.First of all, I would suggest that you do give your ears a rest! There's another good solution you can try.

If the ear plugs you need have been hurting your ears, put down the plugs and use a masking noise instead. White noise can drown out disturbing nighttime noises under a soft blanket of what amounts to the sound of rushing air, a sound your brain ignores so you can sleep. You'll get a very similar benefit as ear plugs in terms of keeping noise from bothering you, but from a different direction. Not everyone will find that white noise is the right solution, but if ear plugs are hurting, you'll have to find another solution - at least for a while, until they get a rest and aren't so tender. Personally, I find the masking sound works well enough that I do not need ear plugs to sleep soundly.

It's easy (and free) to try. You can just download a white noise app and play your choice of sounds through your smart phone. It works better if you have a Bluetooth speaker, which will give you better fidelity sound. If you can't get the full range of audible sound covered, the noise masking is less likely to work, so good speakers really help. If you find that white noise helps (or you'd like your phone free for other purposes), you can get a variety of dedicated little white noise machines to help, of which we offer a few different models. You can get one that simply plays pure white noise, one that has hundreds of programmable sounds, and many models in between.

When and if you do decide to go back to ear plugs, before you spend the money for full custom ear plugs, I would suggest you try a DIY custom ear plug. They are not quite as good as lab made custom plugs, but they are inexpensive enough that you can experiment with size and shape by making a full ear plug, then shaving some off to make it more comfortable to lie on. More importantly, they'll let you test out whether or not professional custom ear plugs might be the right long-term solution for you. If so, the quality, comfort, and durability (they can last for years!) will serve you well.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Perfect-Fit Custom Molds for Isolation Earphones - Review

I'd like to share this recent Perfect-Fit Custom Molds for Isolation Earphones Review from a customer:

Hi – just wanted to give you guys the highest possible rating. The plugs fit perfectly into my ears and the fit of the plugs to my BeatsX bluetooth earbuds is also perfect. For those reading this who are potential purchasers, I bought the "Perfect-Fit CEPM Model Custom Ear Molds for In-Ear Monitors and Isolation Earphones (One Pair)." (The product ID is: lplcustmoldspr00-999)

The only question I had in choosing from the various options was whether to choose full coverage plugs vs the "Canal Only" plugs. I chose the full coverage because that is what I've always used. The Company says that Canal Only plugs achieve the same sound isolation and I have no reason to question that. But, the full coverage does provide wind protection for at least some of the outer ear. And, the molds are fitted to the BeatsX housing such that most of the housing is covered; this reduces the amount such that the plugs don't stick out from the ear much further than when just using the earbuds. In fact, I never noticed any difference until (for this review) I looked in a mirror after having put a plug in one ear and an earbud in the other. It looks to me that the plug sticks out somewhere between 1/16" and 1/8". You’d never notice it unless you were trying to make a measurement.

I use them on my motorcycle and, since I'm retired, I ride a lot. And, I never wear a helmet. (yes, I know-STUPID) But anyway, the road noise inside a helmet is much less than the no-helmet noise. This is an even stronger testament to the EarPlugStore product. Most of my no-helmet road noise is drastically reduced but I can still hear everything I need to hear. The noise from cars passing or car horns is literally about the same as what you would hear in a good car.

Finally, some advice: You need really good ear impressions to get really good ear plugs. The Ear Plug Store offers a DIY kit or you can get the impressions from your local professional audiologist.

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This reviewer is absolutely correct: getting good ear impressions really is critical to getting well-fitted custom ear plugs. This customer had a good experience getting impressions done with a local audiologist - but where and how doesn't matter nearly so much as getting really well-made, accurate ear impressions. Once you have a good set of impressions made, getting a set of custom-molded earpieces for your existing earphones is a snap.

It takes a little effort to get professional custom earmolds made. But when you wear your in-ear earphones as part of your favorite hobby or activity, like this reviewer does, the comfort and quality that comes from having a true custom fit will be well worth the investment.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing (and please wear your helmet, too!)

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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How to Care for Custom Ear Plugs

Your custom ear plugs have arrived. They're perfectly molded to fit your ears, they should fit more comfortably and work more effectively than any other ear protector out there, and they'll literally last for years if you care for them properly.

So... how do you care for your custom ear plugs properly?

Here's what you need to know.

First off, what's with the dots?

Your new custom ear plugs will often come with a red dot visible on one plug, and a blue dot visible on the other plug. This handy color-coding is designed to help you remember which ear plug goes in which ear. The red marker plug goes in the right ear - helpful since they start with the same letter! - while the blue marker plug goes in the left ear. Note that some models of plug have these red and blue dots, while others have L and R letters marked somewhere - while still others, especially the do-it-yourself custom molded kind, have no markers at all, and might require a little trial-and-error to figure out.

Some have removal filaments...?

If your ear plugs are canal-only models, there may be a thin plastic piece that extends out of each ear plug. This tiny bit of (usually clear) plastic is called the removal filament, and it will help you get the ear plugs out of your ear.

These are a really odd shape!

Yes, they are! Everyone's ear canals are different - as unique as finger prints, in fact. And most aren't anything close to a straight line.

Is it hard to insert these?

No, but it can take a moment to get them settled comfortably when you're first getting used to using custom ear plugs. It can take a little practice to get them in quickly. One general tip: adding a twist is often more comfortable and effective than pushing the plug straight into the canal. For insertion, twist backwards as you push the plug gently into the ear canal. And for removal, twist forward gently, which will break the seal and make the plugs come right now.

Do I need (more) gel or lubricant?

A small amount of gel often comes with many new custom molded products. But do you need more? If your plugs didn't come with any, should you get some? Well, maybe - but not necessarily. Custom ear plug lubricant is especially helpful for new custom ear plug users, as they learn how to get their plugs seated properly in their ear canals, and get used to the feeling of wearing ear plugs. Many ear plug users don't need the lube after becoming accustomed to their ear plugs. Others swear by it, and use it daily.

How do I clean my custom ear plugs?

You can wash the ear plugs with a disinfectant cleaner or use warm soapy water; either will work. Whichever method you use, be sure to rinse the plugs thoroughly with clean water afterward, to ensure there's no soap or residue left that could irritate the delicate skin of the ear.

How do I store my custom ear plugs?

Store the ear plugs somewhere clean and dry. If you've been sweating or out in damp weather, be sure to let them thoroughly dry before storing.

 

Want to learn more?

You can check out our professional custom lab-molded ear plugs right here if you'd like to see what kinds of custom plugs are available. Most are designed for hearing protection, but a few are created specifically for water blocking.

If you're looking for custom ear plug gel, we have two excellent options, one of which is a slightly more liquid lubricant/gel, and one of which is more of a balm; both are very well reviewed and work with virtually all pro custom plugs (and actually with most reusable ear plugs and various universal-fit earpieces, too).

And if you've got questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] - we are here to help.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Is there Training for Custom Ear Plug Fitting?

Q.

With custom ear plugs is there training to become a custom ear plug fitter? If so, can you tell me the location and cost?

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A.

Thank you for reaching out to us.

First off, our unique OCEPS System provides all the materials and equipment needed to make custom ear plugs right on site, in about 10 minutes. The process is simple and straightforward, and you can pretty easily do it for yourself, but we do suggest that anyone planning to use the OCEPS system to make ear plugs for others should get some training in taking ear impressions - the typical name of the process used.

Through the years we have experimented with a variety of different methods for assisting our customers in getting the small amount of training needed, and what we have found is that simply contacting an audiologist or EENT in your local community is the best solution.

What can you expect from ear impression training? Is a specialized program required? First, the training needed is less than an hour, which makes a national training approach overkill. Second, by connecting with a medical professional in your community, you not only gain the knowledge you need, but you also gain a resource to whom you can refer your clients when, inevitably, you come across someone who has medical issues that you can readily see pose a risk to the client.

So, we suggest that you call around to the Audiologists and/or EENT professionals in your community. Tell them what you want to do and ask if they will be willing to give you the orientation you need so that you can confidently proceed with your plans to make custom ear plugs. Also ask them if you can refer clients to them when you come across people who need medical intervention.

All the best.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Custom Fit Ear Plugs for Corporate Groups

A customer recently asked:

I was just wondering if you offer a service that could provide corporate custom fit ear plugs to our employees?

The answer:

We offer four levels of support for groups who need custom ear plugs:

1. The simplest alternative we offer is the Sonolab Instant Fit system custom ear plugs. With these, you make a set of custom ear plugs any time and anywhere you need them. It takes about 10 minutes and the system is automatic, simple, safe, and effective, and requires only minimal “training” to be effective. Cost for these is around $100 per set. These give you just one option for the kind of ear plugs you can get, but this is the simplest way to get top quality custom ear plugs, with no guesswork.
   
   
2. At the low end, we offer diy custom ear plug kits. These rely on the “hand pack” method, and so the quality varies depending on who is making their own plugs and how adept they are at doing so. Each individual makes their own. These cost around $10 per set.
   
   
3. Moving up to a more complex system, we offer lab made custom ear plugs. With this system, you can use our diy impression kits to make your own impressions on site, or you can contract with a local audiologist to have them come make the impressions, or send your employees to a local office. Once the impressions are made, you send them to us and we process them into final ear plugs, which we return to you. This system works best when you have a local staff person who becomes trained to make the impressions. The cost is around $150 per pair. This approach gives you the widest latitude in the kinds of ear plugs you can get, but is the most trouble, and the most expensive.
   
   
4. Our fourth method is to use our OCEPS system, in which you designate a local staff person to make custom ear plugs right on site. Once you have your staff person trained (by a local audiologist or EENT—which takes just an hour or so) we provide all the supplies you need, and the cost is around $10 per set of custom ear plugs.

It isn't as hard as you might think to get your entire team fitted with custom ear plugs. There are solutions available for almost any budget. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like more information about custom hearing protection, the custom molding process, or anything else earplug-related!

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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