FYI Foam ear plugs verses custom ear molds

[dreever]

I decided to opt for a set of custom ear molds from an Audiologist. We all want the best to protect our hearing right? I went to an Audiologist had impressions made and sent to a leading ear mold manufacturer, Micro Sonic and had a pair of thier custom Sound Defenders made. Fills up your entire ear. Cost $90.00.
After a couple of trips to the range I went back to the Audiologist because i would suffer from ringing for hours afterward so I figured there was something wrong with the fit since with my foam E.A.R.Soft Superfit plugs didn't give me those problems. The Audiologist told me there wasn't anything wrong with my molds. I was also told that the $90.00 Micro Sonic Sound Defenders had a NRR rating of 26db compared to my fifty cent E.A.R. Soft Superfit foam plugs having a NRR of 33db. Stunned I then asked "So your telling me my fifty cent plugs have more protection than the ones I just spent $90.00 for?"
The reply was "Yes, installed correctly they will".
To the Audiologist's credit they took new impressions and are having new molds made on the off chance they might be a better fit (although they doubt it) and sent my molds back for comparison.

Well, Hell, if they would have told me that in the first place I could have saved ninety dollars!
So if any of you are contemplating getting custom ear molds made you may want to think again.
Now before I stir up a S**t Storm from those of you who have molds and are satisfied with them, I'm just passing this info along since I'm not a professional Audiologist and am only quoting what a professional told me.

I'm posting this mainly to perhaps save those contemplating custom ear molds some money, believing that they will get better protection, which I now do not feel is the case.

Danny

 

[fdshuster]

Danny: I buy and use the foam ear plugs made by MSA (Mine Safety), sold at Home Depot, 60 pairs, in a honeycomb bulk pack for approx. $12.00. NRR is 29. Couple them with a pair of good quality ear muffs and you're in a world of your own. When using the muffs and firing in a HighPower Rifle match, the comb of the stock will sometimes break the seal on the muffs, but the plugs will provide a very dependable back-up. Had a set of custom made molded plugs made when I was flying noisy turbo-prop aircraft, but after a short time (it seemed) they became hard & lost their effectivness.

 

[Rustystud]

I have used all major brands of disposable fome plugs. I have David Clarks headphone type with jell ear cups. I have several sets of electrnic ear muffs some costing over $350.00. I have had 2 sets of custom fit ear plugs. The first set was made by someone who did not know what they were doing and they are just horrible. They feel good but don't give much protection. The second set were made by a certified prosthetics fitter who specializes in ear molding. The second set was about $250 and there is no comparison to the first pair and to the foam plugs. I think you should research and find out if the custom plugs were made correctly. You might aske for your money back also.

Nat Lambeth

 

[Travelor]

Over the years I ahve used a LOT of different ear plugs and earmufffs for hearing protection. The best ear plugs I have found are Mack's Sear Seals and they work much better than the best ear muffs I have used and custom molded ear plugs from the audiologist. Also, they are relatively inexpensive and readily available form mylocal Walgreens.

One thing I have found that I need to do is glue the cords to the plugs and they fit so well in my ears that if I do not glue the cords in, they pull out of the plugs when I attempt to remove them.

Here is a link the the manufactures specs. http://www.macksearplugs.com/details/ear-plugs-for-loud-music/ear-seals-earplugs

George

 

[tnhunter]

Had some plugs made to my ears about 10 years ago and they suck. I was shooting 500 to 1000 trap targets every weekend so a little ringing was nothing new. But after i got the custom plugs it ringing picked up. The company that mad the plugs told me i was just shooting to much and that would happen. I was to stupid and kept using them. A few years after i got the plugs i started wearing muffs over them which helped but i was to late the damage had already been done. Anyhow her i am 10 years later and my left ear rings every day all day.

 

[people]

It is amazing how well some of the disposable ear plugs will work. They do have a benefit. They help keep your ears clean. I also second using plugs and muffs. That really helps when shooting.

Now only if suppressors were not such a pain in the butt to get. They are like giving everyone around you a set of plugs for free.

 

[SamGabara]

I like the foam plugs because if they get dirty I don't feel bad throwing them away. Not too long ago the Army issued us "Combat Earplugs". They are rubber plugs with flimsy flanges. They are dual purpose plugs that will either block most of the sound if inserted into the ear one direction, and only block some of the sound if inserted in the other direction. The idea is to have some hearing protection but still allow communication when it is needed most. They are a one size fits all item and as we all know sometimes that isn't true. I have small ear canals and I get a headache after wearing them for 5 minutes. I can always count on the el` cheapo foam plugs for comfort and effectiveness. The problem with that is they work a little too well and I have to pull one out a little bit if I need to talk.
I have been thinging about trying electronic muffs over foam plugs to try and get the best of both worlds.

 

[flatlander]

I had a set of custom plugs made while at an USPSA/IPSC Area Championship back in the late '80s or early '90s, and was very disappointed with the lack of protection they gave. Compensated pistols firing very hot (major power factor) loads expose everyone around them to high sound levels, and those plugs weren't nearly up to the task. OTOH, a friend who attends the National HP Rifle Champs at Camp Perry annually had a pair of custom plugs made there a couple of years ago, and he swears by them.

Whatever - once bitten - twice shy. I went back to roll-up foam plugs. Used yellow E.A.R. brand for years, then recently switched to AO Safety purchased in boxes of 80 pairs for ~$14 at Home Depot. These plugs have a NR rating of 32, and also have a smoother surface than the old EARs; they don't seem to get as dirty as quick, and can be used several times before I pitch 'em. They're good enough to use as stand alone protection when I'm shooting here on my own range. However, when I'm shooting in a highpower match - especially under a covered firing line - I wear a pair of muffs over the plugs.

My ears ring 24-7 - 47yrs. of driving noisy tractors, trucks, & airplanes - with the occasional rock concert thrown in - w/o much hearing protection has taken its toll. I gotta take care of what's left of my hearing, and I trust the disposable plugs a heckuva lot more than the custom-made jobs.

 

[normmatzen]

Dreever,

Like I said before, the custom plugs MUST extend beyond the second bend! You must make sure the dispenser/audiologist understands that.

And, when you get them, any competant audiologist can make a Real Ear Gain measurement with a probe mic and prove you get the ~40 dB of attenuation you paid for!

Norm

 

[NorCalMikie]

I've discovered something in the last few months. Right side ear plug works pretty good but I have a hard time getting the left plug to cut down the noise. Come to figure out my right ear doesn't pick up the high tones like the left. Too many air hammers for too many years. (no wonder I couldn't hear the high pitched noises.) ???
I now use ear plugs as well as electronic muffs.
It's tough to get old!

 

[dreever]

Norm,

The audiologist assured me when I had them made that they would indeed go past the second bend.
When I go back to pick up the next set I will ask her about the probe mic real ear gain measurment.
You know, it's sort of like when you go to the doctor, as a layman, you have to trust that the professional is doing it right. I'm not going to try to tell her how to do her job.
I guarantee that if they don't work any better this time I'll just chuck them on a corner of the reloading bench, and just go back to the cheap foamies. Wouldn't be the first time I threw away $90.00 and probably won't be the last.
I will not go to a different audiologist and throw any more money away. What if I got the same result? Go to a third, a fourth? You have to know when to say enough is enough.

Danny

 

[normmatzen]

Danny,

Most audiologists will work with you to make you happy. After all, they want to sell you a set of hearing aids later!

Instead of a real ear insertion gain test, (probe mic) it would be easier for her to put you in the sound chamber and test your hearing WITH earplugs and insure your threshold is 40 dB or more down from open ear measurements.

Norm

 

[pauls]

This has been a very enlightening thread. I use foam plugs along with muffs, and was seriously considering custom plugs ( because I thought they would give me more protection ). I now see that is not always the case.

Thanks everyone for their thoughts and input.

 

[normmatzen]

In defense of the Audiologist!

An audiologist is a well educated professional. The professional level degree used to be a masters, but has since changed to an AuD or a PhD. The Aud is a clinical degree and the PhD is a research degree.

As such, there are areas of hearing science that all audiologists are not well versed in. One is in the actual technical aspects of hearing aids! Today, hearing aids are so complex and technical that few audiologist understand them well. They depend on the manufacturers to enlighten them and supply accurate fitting programs to properly aid their clients.

Hearing protection is also a subject not studied by many audiologists. They understand the effects of hearing degradation from loud sounds , but may not know the technical aspect of hearing protection. Many audiologists do not know what "NRR" really means. That being that it is the maximum protection from a specific ear plug minus the average loss in protection due to poor insertion.

Also, the significance of extending the plug past the second bend of the ear canal is much more important for an ear plug than a hearing aid. hearing aids have a vent that precludes occlusion effect but ear plugs do not. So, you will have severe occlusion effect with "short" ear plugs. Also, the ear plug seals better in the boney region beyond the second bend than in the cartilagionous region outside the second bend.

But, most audiologists will work with a patient to secure an effective and happy solution.