Hearing Protection Devices: Pros and Cons

Formable (roll down inserts): Placed into the entrance of the ear canal forming a seal to block sound.

Pros:

• Foam standard sizes
• Fills ear canal
• Disposable
• Good for long use
• Small; not bulky; portable; easy storage
• Inexpensive
• Generally more comfortable
• Can be worn without worrying about helmets, earrings, glasses, or hair interfering
• Highest amount of attenuation

Cons:

• Requires something to be in the ear
• One size fits all
• If not properly inserted, the amount of attenuation is reduced
• Reusable on limited basis
• Not washable; if dirty, wet, or earwax-y, it must be thrown away
• Can be hard to fit (e.g. small canal, collapsing canal, odd canal anatomy, excessive wax, etc.)
• If not properly cared for, it can insert dirt, infection etc., into ear
• Ear mold impression not required

Price: $28.00-36.00 for 200 pairs

 

Premolded: Placed into the entrance of the ear canal forming a seal to block sound. Variety of sizes and styles. Flanges provide seal against canal wall.

Pros:

• Re-usable
• Keeps shape if kept clean
• Washable
• Insertion and removal handle available
• Can be worn without worrying about helmets, earrings, glasses, or hair interfering
• Easy storage

Cons:

• Does not mold to ear
• Does not fit to individual ear
• Requires something to be in the ear
• Can be hard to fit (e.g. small canal, collapsing canal, odd canal anatomy, excessive wax, etc.)
• If not properly cared for, it can insert dirt, infection etc., into ear

Price: $1.45-16.75 per pair

 

Custom molded ear plug

Pros:

• Molded to fit each individual
• Comfortable
• Can be worn without worrying about helmets, earrings, glasses, or hair interfering
• Easy storage
• Reusable
• Last many years
• Excellent for small canals or odd canal anatomy

Cons:

• Requires something to be in the ear
• Requires ear mold impression
• If not properly cared for, it can insert dirt, infection etc., into ear

Price: $70.00 each; $140.00 for a pair

 

Ear muffs (standard and electronic): Placed over or around the ears creating a seal against the head. One size fits all.

Pros:

• Easier to fit than other HPD
• Hard to Lose
• Can be taken off and put on multiple times per day
• Do not need to insert anything into the canal
• Reusable

Cons:

• Periodic replacement of earmuffs or cushions
• Can be uncomfortable
• Can restrict head motion
• Hair, glasses, or earrings can affect the amount of protection
• Can cause pressure on head
• Bulky; need more area to store

Price: Standard- $10.00-23.00; Electronic- $98.00-212.00

 

Musician earplugs: Custom earplugs; reduces sound levels evenly allowing speech and music to be more natural.

Pros:

• Allows speech and music to sound more natural and clear (without a plugged or muffled feeling) while reducing risk of damage from noise
• Allows musician to hear their own instrument and how it is blending with other instruments
• Reusable
• Washable
• Lasts many years

Cons

• Acclimation time
• Deep earmold impression required
• Extra care when cleaning
• If filter is not properly placed back in mold correctly, it will not provide the amount of protection needed

Price: $100.00-125.00 each; $200.00-$250.00 for a pair

 

Digital custom earplugs/ premolded insert ear plugs: Built in electronics which detect when noise reaches a level that could be harmful (e.g. gun shot, explosions, crashes, etc.) and instantly reduces the noise to a safe level.

Pros:

• Great for hunters or people in environments with fluctuating noise levels
• Allows person to hear when loud sounds are not present because of the built in sound enhancer
• Reusable
• Washable
• Small; convenient; easy storage.

Cons:

• Requires something to be in the ear
• Some require an earmold impression
• Requires battery
• Expensive

Price:  $200.00-600.00 each; $400.00-1,200.00 for a pair

 

Have more questions about hearing protection devices? Contact Arizona Hearing Center and talk to our board-certified specialists by phone at 602.313.1243, or by email at Scheduling@Azhear.Com.

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