The purpose of any earplug is self-evident: to reduce sound volume. Although any earplug can accomplish this, it turns out that it isn’t so straightforward for two reasons:
- Speech is not the same as background noise, and you should suppress the latter rather than the former.
- Sound is dynamic; different frequencies require different treatment, and volume should not be reduced too much or too little.
To be effective, an earplug must 1) reduce sound level, but not too much or too little, and 2) control different sorts of sounds, or frequencies, in different ways.
As you’ll see, custom earplugs perform far better than foam earplugs in these two areas, and they also outperform foam earplugs in three other areas: sound quality, comfort, and cost.
Sound Quality
Foam earplugs block out all sound and frequencies, giving the user the sensation of a “hollow” or “booming” echo-like sound in their own speech, which is known as the occlusion effect. Foam earplugs lower overall sound quality and give the impression of being enclosed.
Custom earplugs, on the other hand, feature customized filters that provide an accurate and consistent level of noise reduction (attenuation). The earplugs can be modified to reduce volume solely by the amount required and to filter some types of sound more than others, retaining speech and music quality.
Comfort
Foam earplugs must make a thorough seal within the ear canal to be effective at lowering volume, giving a persistent feeling of pressure, and this “stuffed up” perception is practically universal.
A hearing professional, on the other hand, molds custom earplugs to the contours of each patient’s ears, resulting in a secure, natural fit without the sensation of constant pressure. Earplugs manufactured to order are constructed of a soft, medical-grade material that does not shrink or change shape.
Foam earplugs also have a hard time adapting to changes in ear size and shape. Differences in ear size and shape are no problem with bespoke earplugs because they are uniquely shaped for each patient.
Cost
Let’s say you have a job that requires you to wear earplugs on a daily basis. With an average cost of $0.19 each pair over four years and use five days a week, the total cost would be:
(Also consider the environmental cost: over the course of four years, you’d be throwing away 1,040 pairs of earplugs!)
A good pair of bespoke earplugs can last up to four years, so let’s just say four. Because most bespoke earplugs are under $100, your total cost over four years will be less than half that of disposable earplugsand you’ll get better sound quality and comfort in exchange.
Furthermore, by using the same personalized earplugs for four years, you will save approximately 1,000 pairs of disposable earplugs from being discarded.
Are custom earplugs worth the money?
People prefer bespoke earplugs for a variety of reasons, one of which being comfort. Most people say they are as physically aware of them as they are of wearing a watch or ring once they are installed. It should fit properly in the ear and produce no pressure because it is custom-made. When it comes to disposable earplugs, this is rarely the case. These must apply pressure to the ear canal walls in order to be effective.
If you decide to go with personalized earplugs, it’s also important to be aware of the drawbacks.
You’ll need some time to get used to them, as with many things. There is a break-in period with custom-molded earplugs, and you may need to apply lubricant the first few times you put them in. Do this for as long as you need to; it’s entirely normal because the silicone of the earplug is exceedingly smooth and dry when it’s first removed from curing, so using petroleum jelly allows the earplug to be twisted into place effortlessly. After around 10 repetitions, the earplug’s surface will slide more smoothly over your ear canal’s skin.
As previously stated, you should clean your custom earplugs on a regular basis, and you should do it with warm water and a towel or non-detergent soapy water, as this will maintain them soft and easy to insert. If you clean them with a detergent, though, you may need to go through the break-in process all over again.
The cost of use for custom earplugs is, understandably, higher than for disposable earplugs, and it may appear to be a large upfront outlay. However, because you will use them more frequently, they will have a lower cost per use than disposable earplugs, thus they will be well worth it for most people.
Does insurance pay for hearing protection?
Hearing loss is not considered insurable by most insurance carriers. Hearing protection can be reimbursed with a Letter of Medical Necessity from a physician using a flexible spending account, health savings account, or health reimbursement agreement, according to the FSA Store.
Do audiologists make custom ear plugs?
Musicians wear custom-fit earplugs to protect their fragile inner eardrums from excessively loud sound. A musician’s music must be amplified above safe levels for their own ears in order to play a concert loud enough for the audience to hear it. As a result, they require specialized equipment to avoid hearing loss. Musicians who do not have this equipment may develop tinnitus or overall hearing loss.
Custom earplugs, which are designed and approved by audiologists, are molded exactly to the shape of a person’s ear. The earplugs’ effectiveness is enhanced by their precise fit; they act as a seal, preventing sound from damaging your inner ears. But why are we discussing artists’ earplugs with you? How can they also assist a regular person?
How long does it take to get custom earplugs?
This procedure usually takes 3-5 weeks to complete. It may take a few times to become used to wearing (donning) and removing (doffing) your hearing protection if this is your first pair.
Do custom ear plugs work better?
Yes, they can be really beneficial. They’ve been shown to be more effective than ordinary earplugs, owing to their precise fit in the ear canal and reduced cost-per-use. They may be a little more expensive at first, but after you have your bespoke earplugs, they will undoubtedly be advantageous. They last significantly longer than typical one-size-fits-all earplugs, which do not always block out background noise as well as a personalized earplug.
People’s ears vary widely in size and shape; therefore, while you may believe that a conventional earplug purchased at the drugstore is protecting your ear, it may not be fitting as well as it could to completely protect your ear. Your ears will be protected with custom earplugs.
Does Costco make custom ear plugs?
Open-fit behind-the-ear (BTE), custom BTE, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), and custom in-the-ear (CIE) hearing aids are all available at Costco (ITE). They also have a number of modern features, such as rechargeability, superior directional noise cancellation, and Bluetooth connectivity (enabling wireless audio streaming). Wireless devices, such as the popular audio transmitters that broadcast audio straight to your hearing aids, are also available (for assistance hearing in background noise).
How much does it cost to see an audiologist?
Even at some of the greatest audiology institutes in the country, a normal hearing test will set you back around $60, and a thorough tinnitus evaluation would set you back over $80. The first visit to one of these clinics takes roughly 90 minutes on average.
Can I use my HSA for hearing protection?
Hearing aids are, in fact, qualified for reimbursement. Hearing protection is covered by a flexible spending account (FSA), a health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement with a letter of medical necessity from a physician (HRA).