Custom hearing protection: which filter for which noise

In short

Custom hearing protection is an earmould. It is made from an impression of your ear canal, so it seals without pressing. The filter decides how much noise it keeps out. There is a separate filter for each use, and the overview follows further down. For noisy workplaces the employer often pays.

Why custom instead of foam

Foam plugs from the chemist protect when they sit correctly. Most of the time they do not. They sit too shallow in the ear, work their way out over time and press after an hour. They dampen high tones more than low ones, which is why voices sound muffled.

An earmould is built for your ear canal. It sits the same every day. It goes in with one movement. And it lasts for several years.

Which filter for what

Work and noise

From an average of 85 decibels a day, hearing protection at the workplace is mandatory. That applies to the workshop and the building site as much as to the cowshed or the vehicle hall. What counts is attenuation to DIN EN 352. We choose the filter according to the level at your workplace, so that you still hear warning signals and colleagues. Many employers cover the cost. We issue the certificate for it.

Music

Anyone who makes music wants to hear it quieter and still keep its sound. Musician filters attenuate all frequencies equally. The usual values are 9 and 25 decibels, with 15 in between. That works in a choir just as well as in a band, and at a concert as a listener too.

Sleep

Sleep protection has no filter. It is soft and built so flat that it does not press, even when you lie on your side. That is enough against the snoring next door, and against the road outside the window as well. You still hear the alarm clock.

Water

Swim protection keeps water out of the ear canal. It is meant for children with grommets and for adults who are prone to ear canal infections or have had ear surgery. It floats. Thanks to its bright colour, you find it again quickly at the pool.

Hunting and shooting sports

A gunshot reaches around 140 decibels. A single one can damage the inner ear, and damaged hair cells do not grow back. Impulse filters let quiet sounds through and close at the bang. For hunting there are also electronic versions that amplify ambient sounds.

Motorcycling

At motorway speed, wind noise inside a helmet exceeds 100 decibels. A motorcycle filter takes the roar away. The satnav stays audible.

How your earmould is made

1. Impression: we look into your ear canal with the video otoscope. Then we take an impression with soft silicone. It is done after a few minutes, and it does not hurt.
2. Manufacture: a laboratory builds the earmould from silicone or acrylic. The filter we chose together goes straight in.
3. Fitting: at the second appointment we check that it sits well and seals. For noise protection we also measure the attenuation. Finally we show you how to insert and care for the earmould.

Care

In the evening, wipe the earmould with a damp cloth. Once a week it goes into a bath with a cleaning tablet. The filter must stay dry. If your ear canal changes, for instance after major weight loss, we make a new one. In between you can come into any of our shops without an appointment. We check the fit free of charge.

What it costs

Health insurance only pays for custom hearing protection if it is medically necessary. One example is swim protection with grommets. For noisy workplaces the employer usually pays. The price depends on material and filter, and we tell you in the consultation. All variants are on our hearing protection page.

Book an appointment for the impression in Glückstadt, Horst, Wedel, Barmstedt or Itzehoe.