For those of you who go to concerts, have a job that puts you in a lot of contact with loud noises, or have trouble sleeping because of background noises, you might be thinking of investing in custom earplugs as opposed to buying a normal pair from your local pharmacy. Standard earplugs are a common concern we hear from Calgary patients. The answer to whether you should get custom earplugs or normal ear plugs really depends on your budget, lifestyle, and hearing needs.

Standard Earplugs

Standard ear plugs are a one size fits all pair of earplugs that are mass manufactured and sold in most drug stores. Standard earplugs are made from foam, silicone, or wax, and are designed to fit in your ear and block sound. They are cheap and very easy to buy making them good for occasional use. This can be great for a single event or a flight.

Standard earplugs fit and mold to no ones ear in particular and standard earplugs leave a lot to be desired for people who need hearing protection that is reliable and consistent and protection that can be used as long as necessary.

What Makes Custom Earplugs Unique?

Custom ear plugs are individually shaped to and molded to the shape of your ear canal. Custom ear plugs start with a quick and easy impression by a hearing care professional. This impression will be what the custom ear plug is designed around. Custom ear plugs are always going to be a secure and comfortable fit with no slipping or pinching.

When looking to find custom earplugs Calgary has to offer, residents prioritize time and cost savings, convenience, and reliable performance. Custom earplugs tend to serve the needs of users better when considering their ability to provide reliable and consistent noise reduction, comfort, and the ability to provide a custom solution to a user’s specific needs. They are especially popular among musicians, swimmers, motorcyclists, industrial workers, and frequent air travelers.

Comparing the Two: What to Look For

1. Fit and Comfort

Foam earplugs are made to be one size fits all, providing little comfort and a poor fit. Custom earplugs provide a positive and precise fit that makes them comfortable and easy to insert and remove.

2. Noise Reduction

Custom earplugs provide a better seal of the ear canal, making them more reliable and effective in providing consistent sound reduction.

3. Durability

Standard earplugs are throw away and designed to be used a single time, while custom earplugs can last for many years and be used regularly throughout that time.

4. Cost

Because standard earplugs are designed for a single use, custom earplugs are a better cost-saving measure in the long run.

5. Specialized Options

Many uses call for the design of custom earplugs, something standard earplugs are unable to provide. Custom earplugs can be designed for various uses which may call for earplugs with different frequency responses (i.e. plugs used by swimmers, musicians, or to block sound while sleeping).

When Should Custom Earplugs Be Considered?

If you are in the construction or manufacturing field, or spend long periods in a noisy work environment, you should be investing in custom earplugs to protect your hearing. This investment should also be utilized by musicians, concert attendees who wish to filter sound, and parents of children who struggle with standard ear plugs.

It is also important to have a hearing test to couple with the purchase of custom earplugs. It is important to know your current state of hearing to allow your doctor to recommend the right protection, and not just guess what the protection should be.

 

Why Visit A Hearing Aid Clinic First?

Before you purchase custom earplugs, make an appointment with a hearing aid clinic. A professional will be able to shape your decision based on the geometry of your ear, your lifestyle, and the noise you are regularly exposed to. This will be crucial if you have hearing loss, as a bad fit will likely make the distortion worse and create discomfort.

You will also have a hearing evaluation and ear wax removal in addition to other services as a hearing aid clinic. This will allow you to have ear health better monitored and not just an isolated concern.

Cleaning and Maintaining Custom Earplugs

Custom earplugs are easy to care for. After each use, simply wipe them and follow the care instructions provided by your audiologist. Easy! These earplugs are reliable for years to come. Standard earplugs are single-use, which means the standard earplugs you purchase are destined for the trash in a short period of time. Not only are standard earplugs wasteful, you also have to buy them a lot more often.

Many of those in Calgary that choose custom earplugs enjoy having more than one pair because getting a new pair is usually easy and quick for them. This is because the mold is kept on file.

Summary

The choice between custom and standard earplugs is all about how often you need hearing protection and how important comfort and precision are. Standard earplugs have a place in the occasional setting, but custom earplugs will provide the most comfort, protection, and value for those with regular noise exposure. Custom earplugs are greatly beneficial for those with regular disturbances to sleep, as well as for professional musicians and workers in the custom earplugs field people who work in the custom earplugs field.

If you are in Calgary and want custom earplugs, get a consultation and hearing test at a custom earplugs specialist clinic.