Not all custom earplugs are created equal, and they vary widely in terms of price and quality. Here is a checklist of questions to ask your hearing protection provider, so you can be sure you are buying the best product that you can afford.
Which material(s) are used to manufacture the custom earplugs?
Medical grade silicone is the best material to use for custom hearing protectors. This has a number of great properties such as being extremely flexible, and also extremely comfortable and easy to wear. Other materials used include acrylic, which is hard in the ear and does not flex as your body moves.
Flexibility is important as it ensures that your earplugs always create a perfect seal within your ear canal. Earplugs made of hard acrylic don't form a perfect seal, and are therefore less effective at blocking out noise.
Will your custom earplugs last a long time?
When compared to the traditional foam based earplugs, you will find that custom earplugs can offer great value for money and fantastic long term savings. Of course, the initial cost of purchasing custom earplugs is higher, but they will last for years. To make your money stretch the furthest you should only consider custom earplugs which have a lifespan of at least 4 years.
As the human ear changes shape, you should be looking to replace your custom earplugs every 4 years to maintain the seal with your ear, and make sure your earplugs are 100% effective.
Are there any guarantees offered with your custom earplugs?
Custom hearing protection is not for everybody, which is why it is important to ask whether the company provides a guarantee.
Look for companies who offer a no questions asked money back guarantee. This means that you have a set period of time to decide whether you like your custom earplugs. If you change your mind about them within that time period then you can return them to the company and get your money back in full. Another thing to look out for is a company who are happy to replace or repair any of their products which become defective within the first year after purchase.
Is there a choice in the level of attenuation (noise reduction) available?
Different working environments pose different levels of risk to workers, and therefore need differing levels of hearing protection. Ask whether your hearing proection is available with a choice of filters so that you can tailor your earplugs to match the location in which you work.
For instance, a musician is likely to need a different level of protection from someone who works with heavy industrial machinery, and therefore the custom earplugs used by each of these professions will be different.
What about your after-sales care and customer service?
The effectiveness of custom earplugs is greatly increased when training is provided. Look for a company that has an after sales fitting service and provides training in the use of your custom hearing protectors.
Ask your hearing protection provider whether they are happy to adjust the fit or replace your custom earplugs for free, if you find that they are uncomfortable in any way. - 15634
Which material(s) are used to manufacture the custom earplugs?
Medical grade silicone is the best material to use for custom hearing protectors. This has a number of great properties such as being extremely flexible, and also extremely comfortable and easy to wear. Other materials used include acrylic, which is hard in the ear and does not flex as your body moves.
Flexibility is important as it ensures that your earplugs always create a perfect seal within your ear canal. Earplugs made of hard acrylic don't form a perfect seal, and are therefore less effective at blocking out noise.
Will your custom earplugs last a long time?
When compared to the traditional foam based earplugs, you will find that custom earplugs can offer great value for money and fantastic long term savings. Of course, the initial cost of purchasing custom earplugs is higher, but they will last for years. To make your money stretch the furthest you should only consider custom earplugs which have a lifespan of at least 4 years.
As the human ear changes shape, you should be looking to replace your custom earplugs every 4 years to maintain the seal with your ear, and make sure your earplugs are 100% effective.
Are there any guarantees offered with your custom earplugs?
Custom hearing protection is not for everybody, which is why it is important to ask whether the company provides a guarantee.
Look for companies who offer a no questions asked money back guarantee. This means that you have a set period of time to decide whether you like your custom earplugs. If you change your mind about them within that time period then you can return them to the company and get your money back in full. Another thing to look out for is a company who are happy to replace or repair any of their products which become defective within the first year after purchase.
Is there a choice in the level of attenuation (noise reduction) available?
Different working environments pose different levels of risk to workers, and therefore need differing levels of hearing protection. Ask whether your hearing proection is available with a choice of filters so that you can tailor your earplugs to match the location in which you work.
For instance, a musician is likely to need a different level of protection from someone who works with heavy industrial machinery, and therefore the custom earplugs used by each of these professions will be different.
What about your after-sales care and customer service?
The effectiveness of custom earplugs is greatly increased when training is provided. Look for a company that has an after sales fitting service and provides training in the use of your custom hearing protectors.
Ask your hearing protection provider whether they are happy to adjust the fit or replace your custom earplugs for free, if you find that they are uncomfortable in any way. - 15634
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earPLUG are enthusiastic about helping you to lose the noise ... not your hearing. Visit our site to read more information on custom earplugs.
