You have probably been told by your Louisville audiologist countless times how noise induced hearing loss can be easily prevented by the use of earplugs, specifically custom-made ones. Custom-made earplugs are created from a mold of your ear canal and concha (the outer bowl-shaped portion of your ear). They adhere perfectly to the contours of your ears, providing a superior fit and protection.
Did you know that custom molds can do a lot more than simply protect your ears from harmful noise? Below are the earmolds we can create for specific uses.
Swimmer’s Plugs
Swimmers and those who participate in frequent water activities are at risk for developing a painful, itchy ear infection known as swimmer’s ear (otitis externa). The only way to prevent this infection is to keep the ear dry, which can be accomplished by wearing specially designed swimmer’s earplugs.
Swimmer’s plugs protect the ears by preventing water from entering the ear canals. They are made of a waterproof silicone that blocks the opening of the ear canal, providing a tight seal that keeps out water. Swimmer’s plugs are great for swimmers, surfers, rafters and snorkelers, and can be used to keep the ears dry when showering or bathing, as well.
Hunter’s Plugs
Hunters, law enforcement officials and gun enthusiasts are constantly at risk of developing hearing loss. A single gunshot can cause permanent, irreversible hearing loss. The typical decibel rating is 140 dB – louder than a jet engine (120 dB).
Specially designed hunter’s earplugs utilize acoustic filters that amplify ambient noise, allowing the user to hear their surroundings better. These filters also soften the sound of a gunshot to protect hearing. They include a valve that closes automatically when struck by a sound wave, limiting the volume that reaches the ear.
Musician’s Plugs
Musicians are especially susceptible to hearing loss because of their constant exposure to music that often exceeds safe decibel levels. They need a product that can both protect their hearing from harm and still allow them to hear music that is clear and natural sounding.
While regular earplugs distort and muffle speech, musician’s plugs don’t. These high-fidelity plugs reduce all sounds evenly while maintaining quality, so music and speech are as close to the original as possible. They include a number of interchangeable attenuators, filters that offer varying levels of sound protection depending on the type of instrument used and the venue played.
As you can see, custom earplugs protect your hearing while still allowing you to participate in your favorite activities. Contact your Louisville audiologist to learn which earplug is right for you.