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To prevent ear infections and the build up of wax we need to regularly clean our ears. Caution and care needs to be taken when cleaning in and around the ears as they can easily be damaged.  As the old saying goes, ‘never put anything in your ears that’s smaller than your elbow.’ This is a slight exaggeration, but the primary message is right, we should take extra care when dealing with our ears. No longer should we be reaching for those cotton wool buds, we know a couple of you out there do it. Instead, replace that bathroom basic with a hygiene essential, an ear wax removal kit.

Ear wax is our friend; it creates a protective barrier against any foreign objects that can potentially damage our inner ear. Bearing this in mind it’s important not to remove too much ear wax and instead clean any excess away. Using a cotton wool bud can push the wax further into the inner ear and making it more compact than ever before, which can result in temporary hearing loss. So how do you remove wax safely and properly?

At Ear Plug Shop we have a number of products that will help you to clean and remove any excess ear wax safely. There are three options available to you, the Mack’s ProRinse, Mack’s Dry-n-Clear and Mack’s Wax Away.

Mack’s ProRinse

This Mack's ProRinse Earwax Removal Kit includes FDA approved drops, AquaBlock ear plugs, steady-flow syringe and rinse tip and an ear wash rinse tub. The Tri-Stream tip has been designed to reduce over insertion, to direct water against the ear canal wall and to prohibit pressure build-up when rinsing. It is the perfect kit to have in the bathroom as it softens, loosens and removes excess ear wax safely. Alternatively you can use the Mack's ProRinse Bellow Syringe. All you need to do is compress the syringe and insert the tip into water that is at body temperature, release the pressure to allow water to be drawn in and then rinse your ears by compressing the bellow once inserted.

Mack’s Dry-n-Clear

Mack's Dry-n-Clear Ear Drying Aid is the ideal solution to have if you’re a keen swimmer who occasionally forgets their swimming ear plugs. The ear drop aid dries any excess water in the ear canal while conditioning your ears lining. However, if you’re not a fan of ear drops the Mack's Ear Dryer could provide you with a welcoming alternative. This device simply uses warm air to dry your ears. It comes with multiple tips that are different colours, perfect for a family who are sharing the ear dryer. You will also find Mack's Replacement Nozzles - Ear Dryer at Ear Plug Shop.

Mack’s Wax Away

The Mack's Wax Away Earwax Removal Aid softens and loosens impacted ear wax gently and safely. Not only will excess wax be a thing of the past, the doctor approved formula also protects and moisturises the lining of your ear canal. You can use this product alone, but we would recommend that you use it in addition to the ear washer that is included in this Mack's Wax Away Earwax Removal System.

If one of your resolutions for 2013 is to see more of the world, we hope you find our guide on the best items to bring with you in your carryon useful. At the Ear Plug Shop office many of us indulged in a holiday abroad last year and all came back with insightful tips, with one of us having the nightmare of dealing with lost luggage! We thought it was rather selfish, us keeping these tips amongst ourselves and so decided it’s about time we write a guide for you to use and share with friends and family.

Essential items for the carryon include:

• Ear plugs

Perfect if you want to reduce background noises, prevent ear discomfort, have a nap on the plane or all three! Take a look at Ear Plug Shop’s range of flying and travelling ear plugs and you’ll notice that there is a great range for you to choose from, that all boasts different NRR (noise reduction ratings) and different colours – you could even match your carryon bag with them. As ear plugs are so small they won’t take up too much room, leaving you with plenty of space to pack the rest of our essential carryon items. To keep them safe and clean we would suggest that you have a little case to store them in.

• Hand wipes/baby wipes, moisturiser, facial spray and lip balm

This is an item to have if you’re on a long-haul flight. The plane cabin can become quite stuffy so packing some baby wipes or hand wipes is a great resource to have if you want to freshen up from time to time.  The same can be said for a moisturiser; both face and hand, facial spray and lip balm. Don’t let your skin dry out, nothing can feel worse than tight skin.

• Hairbrush

We don’t know about you, but the girls in the office feel so much better after they have brushed their hair. Nothing feels worse to them than having tangled hair and trying to unknot it with their fingers. A hairbrush is a simple item to have in your hand luggage, but having that ‘just-brushed’ hair can strangely make you feel lighter.

• Eye shade

Whether you love napping or want to indulge in a peaceful sleep when on a long-haul flight, an eye shade can be the perfect item to have. There always tends to be lights and TVs on with many flyers being reluctant to sleep. The solution; block them out with the use of an eye shade, then relax and fall asleep in a blanket of darkness.

• Tablet

A tablet offers many forms of entertainment, is light to carry and prevents you from cramming magazines, games and portable DVD players into one bag. Download a couple of apps, including one where you can download a book or two and you can enjoy hours of entertainment watching catch-up TV or films, playing games and reading a book. This is also the ideal item to have if you’re travelling with kids.

• Anti-motion sickness

A lot of people suffer from travel sickness, but with these anti-motion sickness plugs you can combat the feelings of dizziness and nausea and instead enjoy your travels. The plugs boast 18 different settings that help you to relieve motion and travel sickness.

• Change of clothes

As we previously mention one of our team members fell victim to lost luggage. Oh what a joy that must have been. Since that travel nightmare occurred we have all vowed to do our utmost to ensure there is at least one change of clothing in our carryon luggage. Fingers crossed this never happens again.

• Eye drops

If you’re a contact lens wearer and will be going on a long haul flight, having some eye drops nearby will help you to relieve any discomfort. Please do be aware that there are some restrictions as to how much liquid you can pack in your carryon. Ensure that any liquids are in a clear, re-sealable plastic bag and does not exceed the 100ml limit.

• Pen

Whether you have a cross-word magazine or will be on a long-haul flight that requires you to fill a couple of forms, a pen should always be in your bag. Carrying a pen can be also useful when asking for directions or when your given recommendations while on holiday.

• Pashmina

You never know if you’re going to feel hot or cold in the cabin, so it’s always best to layer up. Having a pashmina at hand can not only look great as a scarf, but can also provide comfort and warmth as a blanket.

With these items in your carryon you will be ready for whatever the airline throws at you. What’s more, they are items that you tend to have in the home anyway making them cost effective and convenient. No matter where you plan to go this year, bear these tips in mind to ensure you enjoy a relaxing and fuss-free flight.

You may have heard us going on about the dangers a gunshot can have on our hearing if ear defenders are not worn. To refresh your memory, a single gunshot can reach on average up to 150dB, the equivalent of hearing fireworks at only three feet away. Considering that a safe volume of noise is measured at 85dB, this is extremely high and can cause permanent hearing loss.

Reading The TRUTH About GUNS.com’s article ‘Question of the Day: Do you shoot without hearing protection? Say WHAT’? We were shocked to find that quite a few people actually do, but the effects are less than desirable. In the article, written by Dan Zimmerman, Dan says: “The first time I accidentally forgot to put on my headphones and fired my Ruger LC9, I went into a state of shock for about 5 seconds. The gun blew up. Am I still alive…am I dying now or am I already dead?” I was essentially incapacitated during those 5 seconds. Not a good thing.”

This article received a few comments with Michael B saying: “That is a very stupid practice I engaged in a few times when I was 18 and a brand new gun owner. DO NOT shoot a 1911A1 without ear protection, even outdoors. I had a headache and severe tinnitus for a few days. I believe I did some damage to my hearing because up until a year or so ago it was difficult for me to discern which direction a sound was originating from after just that one shooting session.”

And Brian following up with: “I took three shots out of a Benelli Supernova at an outdoor range without hearing protection out of curiosity. It physically hurt my ears and I would not do it again unless my life was on the line.”

Due to this it’s extremely important to wear hearing protection and to help you source the right defenders for you; we’re constantly on the lookout for new and innovative products.

Introducing Mack’s Shooters Double Up Ear Defenders.

Our range of shooting ear plugs is continuously growing and now we have expanded our collection to include ear muffs. These Mack’s Shooters Double Up Ear Defenders are perfect for any marksman who wishes to protect their hearing from the damaging noise of a gunshot. What makes these ear muffs so convenient is their ability to adjust and be folded away to fit almost every size bag.

When worn solely by themselves, these Mack’s ear muffs can offer the wearer a noise reduction of 21dB. However, when paired up with the Mack’s Ultra Safe ear plugs (provided) the noise reduction escalates to 34dB; providing wearers with fantastic protection from the noise of a shooting range.

We have three available colours; pink, black and camouflage. They are comfortable to wear, provide the necessary protection required when shooting and are sturdy. Have you got yours yet?

Christmas and the New Year festivities feel as if they occurred yonks ago and unfortunately the winter blues have kicked in. However, we’ve discovered a new way to beat the tired and groggy feelings and to get a good night’s sleep without any disturbances.

Even if you live in a relatively quiet place, sleeping ear plugs can help you to sleep for longer, blocking out those noises that our homes make. Every house creates its own unique sounds and after time we get used to them, but every now and again we awaken when we hear something abnormal. According to All Sleep when we enter REM sleep our brain becomes active, which could be directly related as to why we suddenly snap out of a sleep cycle when an alien sound is registered.

Without the right amount of REM sleep or if our REM sleep is interrupted, our bodies play catch up the following night by increasing the length of the REM sleep cycle in hope to make up for the previous night’s loss. However, with sleeping ear plugs waking up to the sounds of background noises can be a thing of the past, allowing our bodies and minds to receive all the REM sleep required to wake up refreshed and ready for the day’s activities.

At Ear Plug Shop we have a fantastic range of sleeping ear plugs that not only offers you the silence you need to relax into a deep slumber, but are comfortable to wear and provide the ideal fit. Many of our ear plugs are manufactured using soft-grade silicone that can be moulded to the exact shape of your ear’s auricle, providing a comfortable fit that can last all night long.

There are many designs and colours to choose from; you can even choose to match your new sleeping accessory with your sleep mask or pyjamas. However, we do have one selection of sleeping ear plugs that we believe oozes style. We simply can’t get enough of them. Think Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. You know the ear plugs we’re talking about. The tassel ear plugs she wears paired with that glorious eye shade adorned with false eyelashes.

If you’re a fan of Audrey Hepburn then you’re sure to adore these sleeping ear plugs. Boasting an intricate rose at the end of the plug that is then met by a glamorous gathering of tassels, these are the ear plugs to own if you’re fashion conscious. These Old Hollywood Glamorous Tassel Ear Plugs are available in a variety of colour ways too; ivory, black, royal blue and hot pink. After all, you don’t want to be known to have the same pair as a friend- you’re a trend setter, not follower.

We love these ear plugs and with a noise reduction of 32dB, you’re sure to block any distracting noises and get a good night’s sleep. Together, we can beat the winter blues.

When heading to a theme park we all discuss who will be brave enough to take on the biggest rollercoaster there. Thrill seekers love to get their hearts pumping and adrenaline rushing through their bodies. After all, going on a roller coaster is a harmless bit of fun, right?

According to a group of physicians from the Henry Ford Hospital, we might be putting ourselves in greater danger than first thought. After a case study concerning a young man suffering from hearing damage after riding a roller coaster was released, the physicians filed a follow-up report.

When examining the patient’s ear they came to the diagnosis of barotrauma; the bruising of the ear canal and drum. Damage was caused when the 24-year old turned to talk to his girlfriend when the roller coaster plummeted.

Samer Al-khudari, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Henry Ford Hospital said: "We were really surprised by the damage we saw. As the roller coaster technology continues to advance, the concern is that if we're seeing these injuries now then what can we expect to see in the future?

“The faster the ride moves and the larger the change in altitude, the higher the force that is applied to the ear.”

When the young man turned his head as the roller coaster fell, all that air pressure funnelled into his right ear canal. This great force of 0.6PSI (pounds per square inch), which can also be measured at 180dB then struck his ear drum, causing barotrauma.

Al-khudari continued: "We're recommending that you ride roller coasters with your head forward, as they're meant to be ridden. If you're having ear problems it might not be a bad idea to get them checked out."

However, Bryan Pfister, a biomedical engineer at New Jersey's Science and Technology University has said in his recent study that it isn’t as big a deal as everyone is making it out to be.

His study focuses on roller coaster-induced head motion, and found that everyday occurrences such as a pillow fight are comparable to the assaults of riding a roller coaster. Pfister said: "We are being exposed to very similar insults all the time: sports, pillow fights, plopping down in a chair, getting in the car every day. And we're zeroing in on a few incidents that are bizarre."

"What we're questioning is whether this a real threat to the population or if this is a freak accident."

Whether you believe that there is some merit behind this case study or you think it’s a load of bunkum, if you have had an experience of ear pain after a rollercoaster, ear plugs could provide you with relief. According to Cirrus Healthcare, EarPlanes ear plugs can be used to provide ear pain relief to roller coaster riders.

If there is one thing that gets us through these tough winter months, it’s looking forward to going to the football stadium and watching our teams thrash the opposing side. However, our hearing may have something to say about it. On average an American football match can reach up to 117 decibels, 32 decibels louder than what is considered a safe volume of noise. This is nothing compared to the British die-hard football nuts, with some stadiums boasting a noise level of 129.2dB! So who are loudest football fans in the Premier League?

A study reported last year (this year’s results are yet to be published) by the Metro has revealed that Sunderland fans are by far the noisiest fans in the Premier League. With an average peak level of noise of 129.2dB, the Stadium of Light can create a noise level that echoes almost the same volume of a jet engine! Other results from the top of the noisiest league table are:

1. Sunderland average decibels 129.2dB
2. Tottenham Hotspurs 128.2dB
3. Manchester City 127.4dB
4. Aston Villa 126.5dB

If you will be attending any football matches this season we suggest that you take some ear plugs with you. At Ear Plug Shop we have a fantastic range of noise ear plugs and children’s ear plugs to help you protect your ears from the damaging sounds of football chants.

Half the season has gone and after Christmas, football teams either go on a winning streak or begin to lose the formation that made them title contenders. It is one of the most exciting times of the season, which is sure to make fans louder than ever.

Protect your ears and the hearing of your family this season by attending matches wearing ear plugs. Have a look at our collection today; you may even find ear defenders in your team’s colours.

For many of us a New Year’s Eve party just wouldn’t be the same without a spectacular firework display. The loud and beautiful explosions of colour make for a glamorous celebration. Well, one has to see the New Year in with a glass of champagne too you know.

Whether you’re off to London to see the fireworks, flying to see the world-famous Sydney display or hosting your very own New Year’s Eve party in the garden, we hope you have a wonderful time, but please be aware of the damage you can be causing your hearing.

You may have heard us talking about ear safety when attending firework displays back on Bonfire Night, but no matter the event, the message remains the same. The explosive sound that comes from these dazzling displays can damage your ears and cause noise-induced hearing loss.

Once the damage is done, the effects are irreversible and can potentially lead to permanent hearing loss. So if you will be attending a firework display this New Year’s Eve we recommend that you come prepared and wear some noise ear plugs.

In our selection of noise ear plugs you will find a great range that is suitable for children as well as adults. Although we do have a good collection of children’s ear plugs we would recommend that you have children aged six months and up, to wear kid’s ear defenders. They are very comfortable to wear and as they come in a variety of colours you’re sure to find one that will catch their attention.

You will also find a great range of adult noise reduction ear plugs that are available in different sizes, perfect for those who have slim or average to large ears.

From everyone here at Ear Plug Shop we wish you a Happy New Year!

Christmas is a great time of year to sit back, relax and spend quality time with the family. For many this can mean travelling to another part of the country or an entirely different place. If you are travelling to see family and friends this Christmas you might be dreading the long queues at the airport, busy roads or rammed train carriages. However, we at Ear Plug Shop believe that a pair of ear plugs can be all you need to enjoy a peaceful journey.

Ear plugs can help reduce noise levels, blocking damaging sounds and leaving you with only your thoughts. In our great range of noise reduction ear plugs you will find some extremely comfortable hearing protectors to wear as they can be moulded to the shape of your ear. You can find a variety of sizes that are perfect for children and adults.

If you would like to experience the benefits of noise ear plugs, we suggest you bring these with you:

• KillNoise Ear Sound Plugs
• Hearplugz-DF Earplugs
• Heartech SilentEar
• Ear Defenders for Kids

When flying, ear plugs can be used for a different reason other than blocking disturbing noises. Many travellers can experience ear discomfort when there are changes in cabin pressure, making people feel as if they need to pop their ears. With flying and travel ear plugs you can prevent ear discomfort and enjoy a pleasant journey.

Here are a few recommended flying and travel ear plugs:

• Alpine FlyFit
• Anti Motion Sickness EarPlug
• Cirrus Healthcare EarPlanes
• Cirrus Healthcare EarPlanes for Kids & Smaller Ears
• HearTech FliteMate Ear Plug

If you will be wearing ear plugs while flying we suggest that you insert the hearing protectors just before taking off and remove them once the plane has reached its maximum altitude. It is also recommend that you insert the ear plugs an hour prior to landing and remove them just after, once the cabin door has been opened.

From all of us here at Ear Plug Shop, we hope your journey is a quiet and pleasant one, and of course Merry Christmas!

Fireworks #1 (Photo credit: Camera Slayer)

From 3^rd-7^th November the Festival of Lights, also known as Diwali will be illuminating our skies with fireworks and spreading joy and happiness across the country. People from all nationalities and religions come together during this time to celebrate a new beginning and turning their backs, once and for all on darkness.

Can you think of a better way of celebrating light’s triumph over darkness than a firework display? Nor can we and with Diwali also taking place on Bonfire Night we are positive that there will be a lot of firework displays to marvel at.

Fireworks are beautiful to watch, especially when they spin into various shapes and create an explosion of colour that brings the night sky to life. However, this story can be told in another way and one that doesn’t sound as attractive.

On average a firework display can exceed 140dB (decibels), which is extremely damaging to your hearing if you don’t wear ear plugs. We can safely listen to a noise measured at 140dB for approximately 0.0018310546875 minutes. Not very long at all is it, making it even more imperative to wear noise reduction ear plugs.

Luckily at Ear Plug Shop we stock a great range of noise reduction ear plugs that allow you to protect your family’s hearing. What’s more you can have them delivered to your door the very next day!

The bright lights of London are set to be illuminated on 5^th November with the rest of the country in celebration of Bonfire Night. Friends and family congregate together to watch the sky light up in an assortment of colours and patterns, and what a beautiful sight it is, seeing fireworks dominate the British skyline.

However, this beauty comes with a beast of a noise. A firework display can reach an astonishing 140dB, which can damage your hearing if you don’t wear ear defenders. The hearing of a child is especially susceptible to the noise of fireworks and should never be exposed to this volume without hearing protection.

Damaged hearing can have a severe effect on your child’s social and learning skills, which can lead to anger and frustration. When a child feels challenged to complete a school project properly through the lack of hearing, they can find it easier to give up and become ill tempered.

It is extremely important for the whole family to bring ear defenders to a firework display. Ear plugs are a fantastic form of hearing protection as they are comfortable to wear, offer a variety of noise reduction ratings (NRR) and come in a range of sizes. Here are a few of our suggestions for the family:

Mum and Dad

• Hearplugz-DF Earplugs - Black
• Killnoise Sound Ear Plugs - 1 Pair - Baby Blue
• Heartech SilentEar
• Mack's SafeSound Earplugs for Her x 10 Pairs

The Children

• Mack's Pillow Soft Kids Size x 6 Pairs
• ACS ER20 Generic Fit Ear Plugs - Small-Medium
• Ear Defenders for Kids - Pink
• Mack's SafeSound Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs x 10 Pairs

Wherever you’re going to see this year’s firework display have fun and safeguard your hearing.