Different types of hearing protectors?
Hearing protectors can be divided into two groups:
• Earmuffs
• Earplugs
Earmuffs
Earmuffs surround the auricle (outer ear) and are sealed against the head with soft padding. A flexible headband (over the head) connects the earmuffs and ensures that they fit correctly.
Advantages of earmuffs:
• Quick and easy to use
• Immediately available, fit everyone
• No discomfort if one has ear canal problems
• Good attenuation of high frequencies
Disadvantages of earmuffs:
• Unpleasant weight and pressure on the head
• Very uncomfortable in high temperatures
• Loss of “hearing direction” (localisation of the source of sound)
Earplugs
Earplugs are worn in the ear canal or seal it to exclude noise. Earplugs are divided into three groups:
• Disposable
• Preformed
• “Custom-made”
(1) Disposable earplugs
These are made of memory foam that first has to be rolled into a compressed cylinder before being inserted into the ear canal. Once inserted, the foam expands to its normal dimensions, sealing the ear canal. They are intended for single use. It is essential that they are inserted correctly and deeply enough to ensure sufficient attenuation.
(2) Preformed earplugs
These are inserted directly into the ear canal or seal the entrance to it. They can be used several times and can be cleaned. Here too, it is essential that they are placed correctly and deeply enough to ensure sufficient attenuation.
Advantages (disposable and preformed):
• Immediately available and fit most users
• No uncomfortable weight or pressure on the head
• No discomfort in warm surroundings
• No distortion of directional hearing
Disadvantages (disposable and preformed):
• Degree of protection is highly dependent on correct insertion — practice is needed.
Because they gradually loosen, it is necessary and important to keep putting them back
in to ensure sufficient protection
• Discomfort due to pressure in the ear canal
• Limited range of attenuation levels
(3) Custom-made earplugs
These are individually custom-made to fit the user’s external ear canal. The ear canal is sealed by the earplug, and the acoustic filter determines the required attenuation.
Advantages (compared with disposable and preformed): Maximum comfort — especially for long-term use, easy to use, secure and stable seal that ensures a high level of protection certainty. A broad range of filters offers provides the best possible attenuation level, retention of perception of signals and sounds, and, what is more, continuous ventilation of the ear canal.
Disadvantages: Not immediately available (delivery time), relatively high investment in initial purchase, but pays in the long run.
Why choose custom-made hearing protection?
Custom-made hearing protectors have many advantages. First, they are comfortable. After a while, you won’t even notice you’re wearing them. At the same time, they provide maximum protection. Our broad range of sound filters makes it easy to choose the right protection. Custom-made hearing protection allows you to continue communicating with others normally, and there is no need to worry about feeling pressure in your ears.
In short: a custom-made hearing protector is the ideal solution for all noisy situations.
