Whether you need earplugs for work, sport or fun (yet noisy) activities, you have a choice between investing in custom earplugs or purchasing reusable or disposable earplugs. What makes the most sense for you? Take the following factors under consideration.
Your Ear Canal Type
If you have smaller than average ear canals, finding earplugs that fit comfortably can be difficult. What’s more is that if they do not fit properly, they won’t be able to seal properly and then, they won’t work as well (if at all as in the swimming pool!).
Custom earplugs can solve this problem because they are made using an impression of your ear. This is also great for oddly shaped ear canals. You can, however, purchase women’s earplugs and children’s earplugs that are reusable or disposable. These are designed specially for smaller ear canals and are an affordable solution for tough to fit ears.
ProGuard earplugs are simple to obtain. They have a no-fuss system that sends you a kit to take locally and for an impression of your ear (tickles a bit, but doesn’t hurt!). You then send the impressions to ProGuard via the kit instructions and your custom earplugs are delivered to your door in a short amount of time (14 days).
Your Time Spent
Just like anything else in life, if you spend a great deal of time at a particular activity, then you should use the best tools/equipment that pertains to the activity, simply because of wear and tear as well as convenience.
If you are an avid motorcyclist, then purchasing custom motorcycle earplugs makes perfect sense because you’ll be using them daily. Professional musicians should most definitely purchase high quality musician’s earplugs to ensure hearing protection and improve the quality of the music.
Perhaps you’re just an occasional club or concert attendee. There are wide ranges of earplugs that are less costly than custom earplugs such as reusable earplugs that will still protect your ears while allowing quality music into your ears.
There are plenty of disposable earplugs that can be purchased for special events such as pool parties or backyard fireworks.
If you listen to an iPod or other portable music device on a regular basis, you should definitely consider purchasing high-end earphones to protect your ears. Listening to your portable music device at a high volume level for just 15 minutes a day can produce permanent hearing damage! High-end earphones can protect your ears and improve the sound to studio quality.
No Matter What, Choose One!
Whether you have the money to invest in custom earplugs or your needs are such that reusable or disposable earplugs will do, make sure you choose one or the other! Permanent, irreversible hearing loss can occur in a very short time of exposure to noises above 85 decibels.
We worry about our health in so many areas and make many health-related purchases. Protecting your ears and those of your family is important as well!
Cheers!
Meghan