Pros and cons of homemade earplugs
Homemade earplugs have their own advantages and disadvantages. Many people make these devices with their own hands for the reason that store products do not suit them. The standard shape is a cylinder. The name used by manufacturers comes from the phrase "take care of your ears."
All protective devices can be divided into groups, depending on the purpose.
- Sleep products.
- Scuba diving.
- Flights.
- Shallow ponds.
The advantages of hand-made earplugs are as follows.
- Homemade protective products will be perfect for you. Given their anatomical features, you can give them an ideal shape.
- These handmade earplugs will be unique, no store product can compare with them.
- If you use these tools frequently, making at home can save you money. For the manufacture of earplugs are used improvised means that can be found in any home.
- No special skills or tools are required to craft.
- When you need to quickly protect yourself from noise, and there is no way to purchase earplugs, homemade products will help you cope with the problem.
The disadvantages of homemade products are as follows.
- Some handmade products can only be used once. Then you have to throw them away and do it again.
- Special materials are used in the production of earplugs. They are elastic, hypoallergenic and comfortable to use. Such characteristics may not be present in the material used in the home.
- Homemade protective devices are not as durable as store products. When they are removed from the ear, small particles may remain inside, which cause inflammation.
Embossed earplugs
Material:
- Soft thermoplastic elastomer (thermoplastic rubber).
- Silicone.
Types of earplugs:
- embossed in thermoplastic rubber;
- silicone earplugs ergonomic.
Pros:
- Easily adapts to the shape of the ears due to the soft, flexible design and the air gap in the tip;
- pleasant to the touch;
- hollow channel allows the swimmer to hear with minimal loss;
- do not cause allergies;
- multiple use;
- easy to insert and remove by the handle;
- some models are equipped with a silicone cord. It can be removable and adjustable in length. The loss of one earplug is excluded;
- storage container.
Minuses:
- individual intolerance to the material;
- the shape of the earplugs is not suitable for everyone.
How to insert earplugs:
- Roll up the earplugs with clean hands.
- Lift the outer ear with your free hand.
- Using your other hand, slowly and carefully insert the earplugs into the comfortable depth of the ear canal.
- You should get an airtight seal.
- Scroll if necessary.
- Wait until the earplugs' petals straighten and take the shape of the ear canal.
- If there are signs of discomfort, water ingress - rearrange. Eliminate the mistake made when inserting the earmold into the ear.
- The earplugs are removed in a slow circular motion, reminiscent of unscrewing a bolt.
Advice:
- Rinse in warm water after use.
- Dry at room temperature.
- The material does not tolerate temperatures above 40 degrees.
Earplugs to fit your ears table of the effectiveness of earplugs, earmolds and noise canceling systems
| Noise protection type | pros | Minuses | Price | Noise protection in DCB | Peculiarities |
| Silicone earplugs (safe sound) (Heartech QuietEar), Alpine Sleepsoft +, HAPPY EARS earplugs | Protect against loud noise. Better sound insulation than foam (polyurethane) earbuds. The silicone sheet is washable. Plastic is not allowed. Plastic silicone is not inserted into the ear, but the auditory canal is closed from the outside. | They get dirty quickly, many of them strain their ears. They do not block sounds, but only slightly muffle them. | From 39 rub. | Silicone sheet (herringbone) Up to 30 dB. Plastic silicone up to 23 dB. | Herringbone earplugs cause discomfort for some, especially if the ear opening is small. Low noise reduction efficiency. Silicones are hard and soft. There are also thermoplastic silicone - they are harder, usually with filters. |
| Wax earplugs (Ohropax Classic) | Average level of sound insulation. Does not need to be inserted into the ear opening, just outside the ear. | Disposable. They get dirty quickly, you need to change and buy new ones. When you sleep in them, you hear the beating of your heart, all sounds are amplified like a boom-boom, and external sounds are barely muffled. | From 249 rub. | 27 dtsb | |
| Construction or Noise Canceling Headphones | Muffle loud noises. They help to work in silence at the computer, and not to hear conversations, voices. | It is uncomfortable to sleep with headphones on. | 25 dB | ||
| Polypropylene | They block sounds quite well. Better than foam. But they will not save you from strong and loud snoring. | They look quite large and tough. But if you wrinkle it in your hand, it becomes softer. They often stick out of the ears, which many do not like. Feeling as if in a vacuum, not everyone will like sleep so much. | From 13 rubles. | ||
| Earplugs Moldex (foam) | Soft, slightly dampening harsh sounds. Well suited if you need to turn down the sounds around. They do not fall out of the ears, hold well and do not interfere. | The declared up to 40 dB is not true, in fact, they weakly suppress noise - no more than 15 dB. | 15-20 dB | There is a trick in how to insert into the ears. They are better soundproofed if inserted with a wider end. | |
| Polyurethane, polypropylene (foam), moldex, Ohropax Soft, Laser Lite 1 | Conical shape is comfortable. Easy to use. Soft. | The ear does not breathe, they are afraid of water, they get dirty quickly. 1 pair can be used for no more than 2 weeks. Cannot be washed, shape memory impregnation and impregnation for sound insulation will be washed off. No help from the sound of snoring, repair. Sounds are muffled, but sharp and low noises can still be heard. | 30-35 dB (highly dependent on the manufacturer). Most often they are much weaker up to 23 dB. | The effectiveness depends on the form. The cylindrical ones are inconvenient. | |
| Earplugs with acoustic filter (Alpine Sleepsoft
Thermoplastic Alpine WorkSafe |
Helps smooth out noise. They have multilevel filters (according to the description they help not to hear snoring, according to reviews - snoring is heard). | Suppresses building noises, but conversations are audible. Expensive price. | From 1600 | 23-27 dtsb | |
| Customized earbuds | Protect from snoring and other noises more effective than conventional earplugs made of any other material. | They are made to order, you need to go and take casts first. | 2900 | ||
| QuietOn acoustic noise reduction earplugs. | Cancels noise. They have a modern active noise cancellation system (antiphase). A person simply does not hear anything, not even his own pulse and tinnitus. | Runs on rechargeable batteries. Price. | 170 dollars. | 80 dtsb | Not on sale, at the stage of fundraising for production. |
| HAPPY EARS earplugs. | Reduced noise
Treble: 26 dB Midrange: 19 dB Low frequencies: 15 dB |
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| Reusable PVC earplugs | Suitable for sharp and loud sounds, such as a shot. Not suitable for sleep. | They press on your ears, you can't sleep in them. Not comfortable. | |||
| Earplugs EarPro EP4, EP7 Sonic Defenders Ultra | There are 2 valves. When the valve is closed, they are able to protect against noise up to 84 dB of low-level noises (snoring, conversations, etc.). When the valve is open, you will hear voices, but you will not hear harsh sounds. Suitable for shooters, hunters, bikers, and for sleeping, snoring. | Few places can be bought, they only protect against loud sounds. In fact, according to reviews, the seller does not protect against snoring, only from loud shots. | From 980 rub. | 27-84 dB | Available in 3 sizes. Most fit in Medium size. EP 3 - for middle ear canals. EP4 - for large ear canals. |
Popular models of earplugs in the middle price category
Earplugs are individual, and they should be selected taking into account the degree of protection needed. In addition, the products should not cause discomfort when they are put on and used. Such accessories are more expensive and more reliable.
Alpin FlyFit
Convenient to use earplugs are for sleeping in a noisy environment. Thanks to their use, it is possible to muffle loud conversations and other sounds disturbing the rest. The attachments are suitable for air travel. They are made of a thermoshap that is able to distribute the air pressure inside the ear and atmospheric pressure. Due to this, it is possible to painlessly transfer the takeoffs and landings of the aircraft.
Macktar seals
The products are made of silicone and are designed to absorb sound. They are equipped with O-rings for increased noise reduction. Accessories are indispensable when you need to sleep, and construction workers are working nearby or music is playing loudly. The devices are quite soft and comfortable to use, capable of repeating the anatomical shape of the ears.
Suitable for repeated use, but sometimes irritating.
Apex air pocket
A quality accessory designed for working in extremely noisy environments and swimming. Among its advantages:
- sound absorption up to 27 dB;
- waterproofness;
- availability of a storage cassette.
Dog s proplugs
Rubber earplugs are designed to closely match the shape of the organ of hearing and are designed for drivers and swimmers. Correctly selected products protect your ears from wind and water penetration. In addition, they have the property of absorbing sound. The material from which they are made sometimes provokes discomfort.
Pillowsoft
Individual earplugs are characterized by the ability to suppress sound up to 22 dB. In addition, they are used in the case of active swimming and bathing. The products are suitable for people with different anatomical features of the ear structure. Their only drawback is the need for frequent washing.
Alpine work safe
A good accessory made of thermoplastic, which under the influence of body temperature begins to soften and repeats the shape of the ear canal. Allergic reactions and discomfort during operation do not occur. The degree of sound insulation reaches 27 dB. At the same time, the presence of special ventilation filters helps to properly perceive everything that is happening around.
Flugz 21 dB
The sleep aid is made using the latest technology. It is placed in the ear canal and thus provides high-quality noise reduction. An alarm clock and speakers are built into the accessory. Due to this, a person falls asleep to the soothing music and is not afraid that he will sleep longer than the allotted time.
How to use it correctly?
Earplugs are an individual device that is strictly forbidden to give to other people. Before using the earbuds, it is necessary to clarify how they should be inserted and what are the features of the subsequent care. Subject to the rules, it will be possible to significantly extend their service life.
- Before inserting the earbuds into your ears, the product should be lightly wrinkled in your hands. Human warmth softens any material.
- After that, you need to insert earplugs into the ear canal. Under no circumstances should you press or force the earmolds into the ear canal. It is necessary to screw in the earplugs with a slight movement of the hand. But do not be afraid that the earbuds will completely drown out extraneous noise. The presence of a special filter allows the user to hear an alarm clock or a crying baby.
- After use, the earbuds must be carefully removed.
Varieties
The market for modern earplugs is diverse.All available products can be divided into separate groups, according to various characteristics. Let's consider the most common and popular types.
Silicone plugs
Silicone is excellently suited for the manufacture of high-quality and reliable protective products. They are flexible, comfortable, soft and easy to use. These earplugs reliably protect your ears. The material is not afraid of moisture, earwax, sweat, air and other influences. Also, silicone does not cause allergies and is lightweight. Such products are actively used by professional athletes.
Wax
Wax is also used in the earplug industry. Upon contact with the human body, they become more plastic and adhere to the walls of the ear canal as tightly as possible, providing adequate protection. A quality product is comfortable and reliable.
Balloons
Ball earplugs have become very popular due to the available web. Some users note that it is inconvenient to insert them into the ear. Discomfort during use was also noted. It is recommended to choose this option for a short time or if there is no other option.
Fungi
Earplugs got this name due to their special shape. They look like mushrooms with a thick stalk. They are easy to place and remove from the ear. They are compact in size, and it is the “mushroom cap” that performs the protective function.
Arrows
This option is very similar to the above products. Earplugs "arrows" are very similar to "fungi" only with the difference that the number of membranes on the stem is somewhat and they differ in diameter. The increased number has made the arrow-shaped protective plugs more reliable and effective. Removing these earplugs is as easy as pulling out mushrooms. It is enough just to pull the leg and take out the product.
Ergo
This type of earplug is rapidly gaining popularity in recent years. They differ from the rest of the products in their amazing shape. The original design was developed by experts and has excellent ergonomics. These earplugs are not only reliable but also safe. Typically, most of these plugs have a hollow stem made of silicone. Due to this element, the earplugs pass sounds, which makes them ideal for training in the pool with a trainer.
For kids
Protective plugs for children differ from products for adults in reduced dimensions. They are designed in such a way that the child is as comfortable with them as possible. Like adult products, they protect the ear canals from water and infections caused by fluid retention.
For adults
Ear plugs for adults can also be divided into two groups - for women and for men. Their main difference is size. Models for the fair sex are more compact.