From attending concerts and auto races to industrial work or simply mowing the lawn, ear protection is essential to maintain a healthy sense of hearing. Even if the volume is not immediately uncomfortable, extended exposure to loud noise can cause significant hearing damage – particularly over time.
While over-the-counter disposable hearing protection is (by far) better than nothing at all, a custom-fit hearing protection solution is the best way to keep a person’s hearing healthy. As audiologists, we get many questions regarding the value of custom ear plugs. We’ll explore some of the common topics that come up when our patients ask about better hearing protection possibilities.
Advantages of Custom Hearing Protection
Hearing protection that is custom-molded to a person’s ear shape lends to a superior experience in nearly every way compared to disposable ear plugs. Ear impressions taken at a local audiologist’s office allow the manufacturer to gain precise information about the sizing and contours of a person’s ear. As a result, the product will fit perfectly within the ear canal, providing multiple benefits ranging from comfort to added safety and performance.
Comfort
Custom-fitted hearing protection fits snugly within the ear canal, filling the available space appropriately without added pressure or unnecessary depth that can come with placing disposable hearing protection in the ear. This added comfort will help to silently encourage more consistent usage and less discomfort, particularly over periods of long-term wear.
Performance
A snug, custom-fit ensures better performance than disposable hearing protection in almost every way. The custom mold means consistent performance, and fine-tuning will allow filtering out of decibels and frequencies the same way every time. Additionally, the range of usage options means having hearing protection that matches your exact needs.
Safety
Since custom-made earplugs are shaped to correctly fit an individual’s ear anatomy, they are less likely to cause damage or get stuck in an ear if they’re pushed in too far. Also – since the fit is correct – there is a lower opportunity for dirt and debris to enter the ear canal around gaps, which can occur when using non-custom fitting earplugs.
Reusability & Cost Effectiveness
Custom hearing protection is meant to be worn repeatedly and can normally be cleaned using lukewarm water and mild soap with a soft brush to remove excess wax or debris. This reusability will often mean saving in cost over the long term and reduces waste and excess trips to the store to buy more of the disposable type of earplug. Custom made earplugs and earphones also have the benefit of longevity due to their physical makeup, allowing effective use for years with proper care.
Sound Quality
Models made for musicians can include custom sound attenuation to help hear their own instruments while filtering out some of the most damaging frequencies and amplitudes. For those listening to music on earbuds, custom-fit earphones that create a snug fit lets music listeners experience superior audio quality without the need to listen at excessive volume, because the sound leaks out far less than with factory model earphones.
Types of custom hearing protection
Custom hearing protection means not only the right fit, but also the right product for a person’s needs. Different types of hearing protection can be produced to find a best-fit for any individual in multiple circumstances. These include:
- Noise-reducing ear plugs – the most commonly used for general hearing protection used in workplaces, loud sporting events and concerts and for general protection.
- Musician’s attenuated ear plugs – specially-designed to filter out specific harmful frequencies while accenting others, these help musicians hear their instruments better among other benefits.
- Sleeping ear plugs – designed for comfort and blocking as much noise as possible, these allow sleepers to get a better night’s sleep through all the things that go bump in the night.
- Swimming ear plugs – built to establish a water-proof seal to protect the ear canal, these silicone plugs are great for those looking to avoid plugged ears after swimming, and can protect against bacteria in water that can lead to conditions like swimmer’s ear.
- Custom earphones – for lovers of music, custom-made earbud adapters create a better seal around the ear, ensuring the best sound quality while reducing the required volume level to hear the music well.
Custom Hearing Protection Fitting Process
At Prescription Hearing, we work with our patients to get the best custom hearing protection products fit for their needs. Here’s how the process unfolds:
- Make an appointment with Prescription Hearing
- Hearing Assessment – to discover potential existing hearing loss assess hearing and ear structure condition, and to discuss a patient’s individual needs
- Ear Impression – our audiologists will create a mold impression of your ear canal and ear shape to guarantee the proper fit
- Impression Data sent to Manufacturer – our team works with you to find the proper device manufacturer and communicate the specifications of your custom hearing protection piece.
- Custom Fitting Appointment – once the earplugs or earphones have been produced, our audiologists will ensure proper fitting to maximize the efficiency of the custom product.
Contact Prescription Hearing to Get Custom Hearing Protection
Our team of audiologists are waiting to hear from anyone seeking a bespoke hearing protection solution, and will work with you to get started on achieving better ear health while still enjoying some of the finer (if not louder) things in life.
Set an appointment with our audiologists today for custom hearing protection.
