Custom Ear Plugs
Custom ear plugs are earplugs moulded from an impression of your ear for a close seal. They help to protect your ears against damage due to noise exposure and water entry. They suit people who have difficulty wearing the ear buds supplied with telephone, communication or stereo devices. These ear plugs are hypoallergenic, so can be used by people with sensitive skin and are available in bright colours for children or in discreet tones for adults.
Click here to download the Custom Ear Plug Brochure. (3.6Mb)
Custom ear plugs are made from the shape of your ear, so only you can wear them. They provide a close fit and protection against noise damage and water entry. If looked after properly, they can last for years and are suited to anyone who is exposed to noise such as factory workers, musicians, motorbike riders, or for those who have sleeping difficulties. For children with grommets or those who can’t get water into the ear canal, swim plugs are an option to help keep water out of the ear canal. Communication plugs can be used by security guards, police & musicians when using communication devices.
Custom ear plugs are suitable for all ages and are available in a range of colours. All Ears in Hearing supplies and fits custom made hearing protection, including custom ear plugs.
What are the advantages of Custom Made Hearing Protection?
Custom made hearing protection is shaped from your own ears, so it is designed to fit securely in the ear canal.
Secure fit
Custom hearing protection is shaped to your own ear for a secure fit. Disposable ear plugs are a universal size, so they can sometimes be too small or too big or not sit in the ears correctly.
Sealing of the Ear Canal
A custom plug seals the ear canal because it is made from the shape of your own canal.
Disposable ear plugs are a good form of hearing protection if worn correctly. However, people who wear disposable ear protection do not always insert it properly and can be unaware they are not protecting the ear against noise damage. For hearing protection to work effectively, an air-tight seal is required between the hearing protection and the ear canal. As custom protection is made from the shape of your own canals, they are designed to fit securely and to seal the ear canal.
To prevent water from entering the ear canal, an airtight seal is required between the ear plug and the ear canal. A good fit is essential to ensure that water doesn’t leak into the canal. As custom swim plugs are made from the shape of your ears, they are designed to fit securely and help keep water out.
Types of Custom Ear Plugs
Custom ear plugs come in three types, covering noise, water entry and communication.
- Plugs to protect against noise
- Plugs to protect against water entry
- Plugs to help with communication
Plugs to Protect Against Noise
Noise plugs reduce the sound reaching your ear canal, by as little as 10dB for music and by up to 40dB for loud work.
Why wear Hearing Protection?
Wearing hearing protection around loud noise helps protect your hearing, because noise-related hearing loss is permanent.
Hearing is an important sense, as it provides a connection with the world that vision, touch and smell cannot provide. Think about how much you rely on your hearing every day. Hearing is part of how you communicate with family and friends. Read more about noise-induced hearing loss and hearing protection.
Hearing loss can affect everyday life. Noise-related hearing loss is permanent, so protecting your hearing matters. Wearing hearing protection around loud noise is one way to help protect your hearing.
The key point about hearing protection is that if you don’t have the plugs inserted correctly, you will not be protecting your ears. Even removing the protection for the shortest periods in noisy environments can reduce the protection it gives. Therefore, it’s very important to wear hearing protection before exposure to sounds and to remove the protection after the noise has stopped and when in a quiet area. Taking care of your ears looks after the hearing you have today.
Types of Plugs to Protect Against Noise Exposure
Four types of plug protect against noise: solid, musician, motorbike and sleeping plugs.
Solid Noise Plugs
Solid noise plugs are the largest of the plug types because they sit in the ear and in the ear canal. They are designed to give a high level of noise reduction, reducing sound by up to 40dB. They suit industrial workers and people who are exposed to loud sounds, and they suit motorised gardening equipment and power tools.
Musician Plugs
Musician ear plugs are fairly small and discreet as they sit in the ear canal. They have a filter inside the plug that lets high frequency information in, so music and speech can still be heard without distorting or losing any tonal information. There are 3 filter types, each reducing sound by a different amount, so you can have a small reduction of sound (10dB) or a reduction of up to 25dB. These plugs are suitable for singers, all types of musicians, no matter what type of instrument or style of music you play and for those who work with or enjoy live music and want to protect their hearing.
Motorbike Plugs
Motorbike plugs are designed to reduce engine and road noise. They are available in a solid plug giving a high level of noise reduction or in a musician style plug with a filter for different amounts of noise reduction. They are designed for everyday wear and won’t interfere with your helmet.
Sleeping Plugs
Sleeping plugs are designed to help reduce noise while you sleep. If you are a shift worker, or have trouble sleeping due to noise such as barking dogs, noisy neighbours or a snoring partner, these plugs are designed for you. Sleeping plugs block up to 30dB of sound and are designed to fit securely in your ears.
Plugs to Help with Communication
Communication plugs hold ear buds and communication devices securely in the ear, using a plug moulded to the shape of your ear.
hands-free Mobile Phone Plugs
A mobile phone plug lets you wear a phone’s ear bud securely in your ear. It suits people who have difficulty using the ear buds supplied with mobile phones.
Ipod / MP3 Players
Custom ear plugs let you wear the ear buds supplied with iPods or MP3 players securely in the ear. They suit people who find those ear buds difficult to wear or don’t like the feel of headphones.
Communication Plugs
Communication plugs are moulded to the shape of the ear, and provisions can be made for communication devices to be attached to the mould. They suit security guards, police, musicians and TV presenters. As they are custom made, they fit securely in the ear canal.
Sleeping Earplugs
Sleeping earplugs are plugs that block out noise while you sleep.
Sleeping earplugs
Sleep earplugs help to block out noise while you sleep. Earplugs come in different types and brands, so it’s important to find the right one for you. Consider your needs and preferences before making a purchase.
If you’re looking for a good pair of sleep earplugs, here are four things to keep in mind:
- Noise reduction rating:The higher the noise reduction rating (NRR), the more noise the earplugs are rated to block out. Look for a pair with an NRR of 30 or higher.
- Wear:Earplugs need to be designed for everyday wear for long periods of time. Look for a pair that’s made of soft, hypoallergenic materials.
- Size:Earplugs come in different sizes. Make sure to choose a size that will fit snugly in your ear without being too tight.
- Price:Sleep earplugs can range from very affordable to quite expensive.
What All Ears in Hearing Offers
All Ears in Hearing is an independently owned business of audiologists in Brisbane who know the different types of hearing aids and ear protection. Here are the things the clinics offer:
Earplugs for sleeping. Book a fitting on the appointment page.
Discreet hearing aids. Hearing aids don’t always come in “lifestyle size”. When one thinks of a hearing aid, the immediate image that comes to mind is a big orange device attached to your ear. The truth is, while those are still available, All Ears in Hearing stocks a range of discreet hearing aids and noise ear plugs that match your lifestyle and anything you wear, such as a receiver in the ear canal.
Custom earplugs. People need hearing aids for different reasons, and not all aids fit all types of ears. From earplugs for sleeping to noise earplugs, All Ears in Hearing considers the shape and size of your ear before suggesting any type of ear protection. Contact the clinic to ask about custom earplugs.
Frequently asked questions
What are custom ear plugs?
Custom ear plugs are earplugs moulded from an impression of your own ear, giving a close seal. They're designed to help protect your ears from noise exposure and water entry. Because they are made from the shape of your ear, only you can wear them.
How are custom ear plugs different from disposable ones?
Disposable ear plugs come in a universal size, so they can sometimes be too small, too big or not sit in the ear correctly. Custom plugs are shaped from your own ear canal and designed to fit securely and seal. Disposable plugs can still work if they are worn correctly.
What types of custom ear plugs are there?
There are three types: plugs to protect against noise, plugs to protect against water entry, and plugs to help with communication. Communication plugs are used with communication devices by people such as security guards, police and musicians. Our team can talk you through which type suits your needs.
Who might need custom hearing protection?
They suit anyone exposed to noise, such as factory workers, musicians and motorbike riders. They may also suit people who find the ear buds supplied with phones or stereo devices uncomfortable, or who have difficulty sleeping. They're suitable for all ages and come in a range of colours.
Why does a good fit matter?
For hearing protection to work well, an air-tight seal is needed between the plug and the ear canal. The same applies to keeping water out. Because custom plugs are made from the shape of your own canals, they are designed to fit securely and seal. Noise-related hearing loss is permanent, which is why protection matters.
Are swim plugs available for children with grommets?
Custom swim plugs are an option to help keep water out of the ear canal, including for children with grommets. For any ear health question, such as whether swimming is suitable, please check with your GP or an ear, nose and throat specialist. Our team can explain the plugs themselves.
How long do custom ear plugs last, and are they safe for sensitive skin?
If looked after properly, they can last for years. Our plugs are hypoallergenic, so they can be used by people with sensitive skin. To get a pair made, book an appointment at Rochedale South on 07 3841 3764 or Shailer Park on 0478 282 561 and our team can explain the process.