Custom Earplugs - What Should You Look For?
Friday, February 27th, 2009Not 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.
What material are your custom earplugs made from?
The best material in terms of comfort and flexibility is medical grade silicone. Some hearing protectors are made of acrylic which is not only cold and hard in the ear, but also doesnt flex well with body movement.
This means your hearing protection doesnt create a perfect seal in your ear canal, and will not be 100% effective at reducing noise levels.
What is the lifespan of your custom earplugs?
Custom earplugs offer a substantial cost saving over traditional foam earplugs, though the initial investment at the start is quite high. To maximise your return on investment, you should look for custom earplugs which last for at least four 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?
While 99% of people that use custom earplugs will love them, not everyone will find them suitable, and it is important to make sure that the company you bought your hearing protection from offers a guarantee.
You should really be looking for companies who offer a money-back guarantee if you change your mind about your purchase. This means that you have a fixed time period where you can send your hearing protection back to the company and receive your money back in full. It is also best to deal with companies who offer a manufacturer’s warranty - this means that they will replace or repair any product free of charge if it becomes defective within the first year of use.
Is there a choice in the level of attenuation (noise reduction) available?
People work in different noise environments, so need different levels of protection. Discuss with your provider whether your custom earplugs are available in a range of filters so you can tailor you hearing protection to suit where you work.
For example, musicians often have different requirements for hearing protection compared to construction workers, and the custom earplugs provided would be different in each case.
What levels of customer care and after-sales service do you offer?
When trained how to use and maintain custom earplugs, many people find their custom earplugs are much more effective. Ideally, you should buy from a company who offer a fitting service and who are willing to show you how to use your earplugs.
You should also ask what the company’s policy is on adjusting or replacing custom earplugs free of charge if you find they do not fit properly or if they are uncomfortable to wear.