Custom Ear Plugs

Hearing Protection

Be aware of the warning signs for hearing loss. If you have control of the volume, turn it down; if you don't, wear hearing protection. There are many options available today to meet specific needs and uses for hearing protection; from products designed to give as much ambient noise protection as possible, to hearing protection devices designed specifically for performing musicians. Twenty years ago no one wore bicycle helmets, now it's rare when you see someone riding without one. Concrete hasn't gotten harder in the last two decades, people have become much more educated about the risks involved and the dangers they face should they be involved in an accident. It's a noisy world out there. With the information and resources available today, positive steps can be taken to reduce the occurrence of noise induced hearing loss.

How Loud is Too Loud?

Both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to it determine its potential to damage your hearing. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level the louder the noise. Standards set by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) indicate that continued exposure of unprotected ears to noise over 85 dB will cause a gradual hearing loss in a significant number of individuals. Louder noises will accelerate this damage.

Loud machinery and tools at home or on the job can damage your hearing. Even short bursts of sound over 90 decibels can have an impact. Prolonged noise is even worse. Military, factory, and construction environments, airplanes, and subway trains are all filled with noise we can’t control.

There’s also plenty of noise we can control, but choose not to: rock concerts, sporting events, sport shooting, hunting, and the operation of many common household appliances and tools. Excessive noise damages the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. This damage results in sensori neural hearing loss and often tinnitus (ringing of the ears). Dangerous levels of noise can come from working in noisy occupations or in engaging in dangerous recreational activities:

• Beware of dangerous recreational activities: video arcades, fire crackers, discos, music concerts, shooting a gun, movie theatres, sporting events, motor boards, motorcycles, snowmobiles, “boom cars”.
• Occupations particularly under risk for hearing loss due to exposure to noise are as follows: firefighters, police officers, factory workers, farmers, construction workers, military personnel, heavy industry workers, musicians, entertainment industry professionals.

If you have to raise your voice to shout over the noise to be heard by someone within an arm’s length away, the noise is probably in the dangerous range. Some of the warning signs of the presence of or exposure to hazardous noise are as follows:

• • You can’t hear someone three feet away
• • You have pain in your ears after leaving a noisy area
• • You hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in your ears immediately after exposure to noise
• • You suddenly have difficulty understanding speech after exposure to noise; you can hear people talking but you cannot understand them.

Custom Fit Swimmer’s Earplugs – Prevent “Swimmer’s Ear”

Our custom fit swimmer’s earplugs are molded to your ears, making them the most comfortable, effective swim plugs you can buy. You choose the colors, and we’ll make a pair unique for you—with handles and cords if you wish. They even float, so you can’t lose them.  Great for kids and adults, our custom fit earplugs keep water out of your ears to prevent the outer-ear infection known as “swimmer’s ear.” AquaNot™ and Swyrl™ swim plugs are crafted from American-made floatable silicone material.