Noise has been a threat to human hearing since the dawn of the industrial revolution. Even temporary exposure to excessive noise can cause a change in hearing to where your ears feel “stuffy,” or where you hear ringing (tinnitus) in your ear. Such short-term hearing changes usually go away by a few hours after the noise is no longer present. But when exposure to noise is repeated, incurable ringing or hearing loss can result. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends avoiding hazardous noise in the workplace whenever possible, and using hearing protection when dangerous noise cannot be controlled. Molded earplugs are a common solution to excessive noise in the workplace.
Molded earplugs for snoring relief, are also popular. Loud snoring is almost as loud as a jackhammer, and while it may not be loud enough to damage hearing, the sleep interruption that the spouse of a snorer experiences has its own health consequences.
Hazardous levels of noise
In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that 22 million workers experience hazardous levels of noise at work. Nine million more risk hearing loss from exposure to other agents like solvents or metals. Many have access to foam ear plugs, which provide some protection. Molded ear plugs tend to be more comfortable for people who need hearing protection on a regular basis. There are two basic rules about whether a noise situation is dangerous:
1. If you have to raise your voice to speak to someone only an arm’s length from you, the noise level is likely hazardous
2. If your ears ring, or sound is flat, or dulled after leaving a noisy environment, then the noise level was most likely hazardous
People who are regularly exposed to hazardous levels of noise should have their hearing tested annually. Anyone that notices a change in hearing or who develops tinnitus should have a hearing test. And people with healthy ears who aren’t exposed to hazardous noise should have their hearing tested every three years. If you have hearing loss and wear hearing aids, ear protection is still very important, because you should conserve the hearing you have left.
Hearing loss
The ear is damaged easily by sound, particularly if it is prolonged or unexpected. Hearing loss can profoundly affect a person’s life, resulting in depression or social isolation. Noises caused by gunfire, machinery, wind noise (such as from riding a motorcycle), or loud music can result in damage to the tiny hair cells in the ear. Once hair cells fail, they do not grow back. Symptoms of hearing loss include hearing, but not understanding, having to turn up the volume on the television, the need to lip read to understand speech, and the inability to hear environmental sounds like crickets chirping.
In order for people to regularly use hearing protection, it must be comfortable. Without comfort, workers will not consistently wear earplugs. That is why many people order custom molded ear plugs, which are usually made from medical grade silicone. Because they are custom fitted, they are comfortable, and the silicone is strong enough to last for several years.
Custom molded earplugs
With non DIY custom molded earplugs, an audiologist takes impressions of the ears. This process takes less than half an hour. Custom molded earplugs are actually competitive with disposable foam ear plugs in terms of cost effectiveness because they last for so long. The Noise Reduction Rating, or NRR on custom molded earplugs made of silicone is 28. This means that on average, the earplugs block 28 decibels of sound over the frequency spectrum of human hearing.
Custom hearing protection via molded earplugs is a lucrative business, and there are numerous companies that make them. Some require a mold impression made by a professional audiologist, and others are do it yourself kits for customizing earplugs.
Radians Custom Molded Earplugs are DIY custom ear plugs. It takes 10 minutes to create the molds. They are designed for everyday use including for airplane travel, work in industrial environments, lawn mowing, sports events, construction, and use of farm equipment. The molded earplugs are soft and are made of non-toxic hypoallergenic silicone. They are also washable and have an NRR of 26 dB.
Insta-Mold Chameleon-Ears are made by professionals and use a polymer that cures to the exact contour of each person’s ear. The custom fit makes a very effective sound attenuator, which has an NRR of 31 dB. They remain soft and elastic and retain their custom shape permanently. Insta-Mold custom molded earplugs can be washed with soap and water and have been in use since the 1980s. The custom molded earplugs are made while you wait. They come in several colors and cost about $50 per pair.
Designer Chameleon-Ears have the distinction of the only custom molded earplugs that look cool. They can change color depending on body heat and are even available in glow-in-the-dark styles. Other choices include black and white or blue and white swirls, glitter blue, red, or gold, and numerous other non-boring colors in addition to the color changing varieties.
Filtered Chameleon-Ears are a version of Chameleon-Ears that contain an acoustical chamber that allows the wearer to hear conversation without removing the earplugs. The chamber can be incorporated into Insta-Mold Chameleon-Ears and Designer Chameleon-Ears.
Insta-Molds can be used in numerous situations, whether protecting ears from noise or from water. They are made to provide a tissue-to-tissue fit that perfectly duplicates even the smallest contours of the ear and are reinforced with hydrophobic organo-siloxane. The Insta-Mold process has been published in the scientific journal Archives of Otolaryngology in an article titled “Fabrication of Custom-Made Ear Plugs for Swimming” in 1974.
Noise cancelling
Hi-Fidelity Series and Digital Series earplugs offered by zacaw.com are electronic earplugs that reduce loud sounds and amplify quiet sounds. Made with high quality digital circuitry, that give sound a natural quality, while at the same time distortions and background sounds that are often found in analog earplugs. By sampling sound 20,000 times per second, these hearing protectors allow better sound quality with no distortion and can be programmed to cut down on unwanted background noises.
Another alternative to custom electronic hearing protection are Mini-Canals. They are not custom molded earplugs, but use a patented wax-guard silicone that do not require custom-made ear impressions. They fit into the ear canal without interfering with hats or glasses. Mini-Canals offer high quality sound and have an adjustable tone that allows some customization for personal comfort. They are fitted with feedback s uppression and allow up to 210 hours of battery life. They are quite expensive, however, at over $400 per plug.
iPlugz Sports Monitors, developed by E.A.R., are for electronics like iPods and MP3 players and carry more bass and treble for overall better sound reproduction. The iPlugz Sports Monitor isn’t so much for hearing protection, but they do block out high ambient noise, and they can be custom fitted, which provide even better noise reduction and comfort. Other fit options are a generic flanged fit and generic ear canal fit.
Hi-Fidelity Musician Monitors are in-ear systems for performing artists. They have custom silicone molded earplugs and eliminate external noise with an NRR of 29 dB, allowing for better fit and comfort. Again, though they’re not made as industrial hearing protection, they do provide protection and enhanced hearing to performing artists and professional mus icians.
Professional Musician Monitors are made for film or video production or concert sound reinforcement, and they work with any wireless or wired receiver. The molded earplugs, which are made of polyurethane, have tiny transducers to give a frequency response between 10 and 22 Hz, allowing musicians to hear bass and clear high tones and experience their music just the way it was produced. These are designed for professional musicians who need hearing protection during performances.
Pre-molded, reusable ear plugs are an alternative to molded earplugs. They are made from plastic, silicone, or rubber and come in sizes for small, medium, and large ear canals. Sometimes people need different sized earplugs for each ear. These earplugs are inserted by reaching over the head with one hand and pulling up on the opposite ear while inserting the earplug with a soft rocking motion until the ear canal i s sealed off. These are less expensive than custom molded earplugs, and are reusable and washable.
Molded earplugs are one of the best protectors of hearing for people who are often around harmfully loud noises. Whether they’re musicians, machine operators, or construction workers, they are more likely to wear necessary hearing protection if it is comfortable, and custom molded earplugs are exceptionally comfortable. Some over-the-counter earplugs come with do-it-yourself impression kits for custom earplugs and generally give satisfactory results, though not equal to the results when the custom ear molds are made by a professional audiologist or technician.
Molded earplugs are usually made of silicone or polyurethane, and they can last for several years with proper care. Custom earplugs are now available in fashionable color combinations, glow-in-the dark materials, and with colors that change depending on body temperature. They can be made with tiny acoustical chambers that allow conversational sounds to be heard even while blocking unwanted noise.
Hearing protection is vital
Hearing protection is a vital part of the jobs of millions of people. People who don’t use hearing protection when it is necessary risk permanent hearing loss as the tiny hair cells deep inside the ear die off, which is permanent. Many times people don’t realize they have hearing loss, because they can hear speech, but have trouble understanding it. The lack of understanding speech often results from loss of hearing in high frequencies. People with hearing loss may turn up their television too loud, or accuse others of mumbling. It is important for people to have regular hearing exams, whether they work in noisy environments or not. People who already have hearing loss should use hearing protection vigilantly to preserve any residual hearing they still have.
Noise has been a part of human life since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Snoring has been around even longer than that. Fortunately we now have inexpensive and readily accessible earplugs for snoring and for other noisy environments. From disposable foam ear plugs to custom molded earplugs, nobody should have to put up with potentially dangerous excess noise.