Earplugs: Difference between revisions

Line 431:

for about the same price, you can get a box of 200 pairs of good foam

earplugs which are much more likely to fit and seal every time.

====SilentEar opinion 2====

I tried several dozen different plugs from the Earplug Store. 90% were immediately dismissed as of the first insertion. After trying everything I could find on that site and at Wal-Mart (including custom molded plugs) I found the [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/silnatrubear.html SilentEar] plugs sealed the canal best and seemed to be the most effective.

I prefer plugs that go deep into the canal to get a good seal. In a side impact (like falling to the side and banging the side of my helmet on the pavement) I can envision the little grab handle extension on some plugs driving the earplug in too far and rupturing the eardrum. Not good. The SilentEar plugs have a different way for you to grab them. The system works pretty well; I find them easy to grab and extract, but nothing hard sticking out of your ear to cause problems.

These are fairly quiet, but like many plugs are dependent on a tight seal. A NRR33 plug without a tight seal would be pretty much useless. The SilentEars come in 3 sizes. The medium is too loose for me, but the largest is tight and stretches my canal a little (giving a good seal).

I found them a little uncomfortable at first when inserting, though actually wearing them is not uncomfortable, like some other plugs I have tried. I am used to them now and don't even think about it. I also moisten them before inserting; this makes them go in easier and seals better.

Since fit is such a personal thing, and most of the plugs are inexpensive, I have no regrets about the waste associated with buying several assortments. What did I spend, maybe $50 or so? I am cheap about a lot of things, but scrimping on hearing protection (a very real issue) seems penny wise and pound foolish.

@@ Line 431: / Line 431: @@
 for about the same price, you can get a box of 200 pairs of good foam
 earplugs which are much more likely to fit and seal every time.
+====SilentEar opinion 2====
+I tried several dozen different plugs from the Earplug Store. 90% were immediately dismissed as of the first insertion. After trying everything I could find on that site and at Wal-Mart (including custom molded plugs) I found the [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/silnatrubear.html SilentEar] plugs sealed the canal best and seemed to be the most effective.
+I prefer plugs that go deep into the canal to get a good seal. In a side impact (like falling to the side and banging the side of my helmet on the pavement) I can envision the little grab handle extension on some plugs driving the earplug in too far and rupturing the eardrum. Not good. The SilentEar plugs have a different way for you to grab them. The system works pretty well; I find them easy to grab and extract, but nothing hard sticking out of your ear to cause problems.
+These are fairly quiet, but like many plugs are dependent on a tight seal. A NRR33 plug without a tight seal would be pretty much useless. The SilentEars come in 3 sizes. The medium is too loose for me, but the largest is tight and stretches my canal a little (giving a good seal).
+I found them a little uncomfortable at first when inserting, though actually wearing them is not uncomfortable, like some other plugs I have tried. I am used to them now and don't even think about it. I also moisten them before inserting; this makes them go in easier and seals better.
+Since fit is such a personal thing, and most of the plugs are inexpensive, I have no regrets about the waste associated with buying several assortments. What did I spend, maybe $50 or so? I am cheap about a lot of things, but scrimping on hearing protection (a very real issue) seems penny wise and pound foolish.