Earplug

• it helps to preserve hearing
• helps to protect hearing
• helps you to concentrate.

Therefore, there are several types of earplugs and many different uses. They can be useful when external noises make it difficult to concentrate, for example in vehicles, in heavy machinery, when travelling in an aeroplane, when using weapons or simply when you want to get a good night's sleep. We distinguish between earplugs specifically designed for swimming and sleeping, which are not the same as the types used in occupational safety.

Which hearing protection earplugs should I choose?

There are several types of hearing protection earplugs.

• Disposable foam earplugs: when placed in the ear, the earplug expands to fit the shape of the ear, providing a comfortable, custom fit. They have the advantage of being low in price, requiring no maintenance and made from recyclable material.
• Reusable earplugs: Made of flexible material, they fit easily into the ear canal. They have the advantage of easy insertion without moulding, are moisture resistant and can be reused after cleaning.
• Strap (corded) earplugs: Easy to use, practical hearing protectors. When you don't need to use the 3M earplugs, simply slip the cord around your neck. When noise pollution starts again, you can put your hearing protector back in your ear in a snap, without having to search for it. The advantages of these types are that they are moisture resistant, reusable and comfortable.

The types of 3M earplugs vary depending on the application and material. The most common are noise-reducing earplugs. There are special earplugs that prevent water from getting into the ear, regulate pressure and filter out certain sound frequencies.

Earplugs can be made of foam, wax or silicone. Noise earplugs can also be made of cotton wool, putty, ceramic and PVC.

When choosing hearing protectors, comfort and the right size are also important considerations. The better the earplugs fit in your ear canal, the better they reduce noise. In terms of shape, there are bell-shaped and tapered ones. They are also different in their expansion and create different pressures in the ear.

The NFF - standardised - system is used to control noise reduction. Noise reduction is measured in dB.

• Below 80 dB is considered safe.
• Hearing protection is recommended up to 80 dB - 85 dB.
• Above 85 dB, the employer is obliged to provide suitable hearing protection.

3M hearing protection earplugs reduce sound intensity by 10-30 dB SNR, depending on the type.

The daily noise exposure is determined by the average noise level measured over an eight-hour working day. The instantaneous sound pressure level is the most intense noise level during work. Noise measurements to check the noise exposure limit value are regulated by Directive 2003/10/EC.

Earplugs for hearing protection work in different ways. Some reduce constant background noise, some filter sounds, some block all noise and some protect against sharp bursts (pulses).

Using and cleaning the earplugs

Earplugs are harmless to use. However, when using earplugs for sleeping, for example, you may experience earaches when you wake up in the morning, especially if you sleep on your side.

Be aware that regular use of earplugs can lead to tinnitus and possible ear infections if earwax is pushed deeper into the ear canal and accumulates there.

Always pinch the earplugs with clean hands or, in the case of wax plugs, mould them! It should not be pushed deep into the ear canal as this can cause damage.

It is important to keep reusable earplugs clean (with soapy water) to prevent bacteria from growing on them. Also, disposable earplugs should not be used more than once!

The removal of 3M earplugs should also be emphasised. Avoid pulling them out of the ear suddenly, as this may cause pain.

3M hearing protection earplugs are available in our webshop in the form of all-round earplugs, POD type, preformed and banded (corded) earplugs. We also offer earplug dispensers and refill packs and balloons.

The earplug dispenser dispenses one earplug at a time, straight into your hand. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. It protects the earplugs from environmental influences. The earplug dispenser can be refilled from the refill balloon or bag, which contains hundreds of earplugs.

A suitable earplug (EN352-2) will only provide perfect protection if it is inserted into the ear canal as described in the instructions for use. To help you choose the perfect size, please refer to the size chart in the description of each product.

It is important to choose earplugs with dB attenuation appropriate to the noise exposure. If you buy a device with too high a noise attenuation, you will completely block out ambient noise, and if you choose an earplug with too low a noise attenuation, you risk hearing loss from noise exposure.

Reusable earplugs should be kept in a dedicated container, primarily for hygiene reasons. Information on the cleaning process can be found on the product packaging.

Our range of 3M hearing protection earplugs includes collapsible earplugs, POD and preformed earplugs and strap earplugs. Depending on the type, each earplug can be used once or several times, so we also have an earplug dispenser and a refill kit for it. Before buying, always find out in which noise environment you want to use the earplug and choose the appropriate dB attenuation earplug. If you choose an earplug with too much noise attenuation, you will not hear ambient noise, while a plug with too low noise attenuation may still present a risk of hearing damage due to long-term noise exposure. To prevent this, noise attenuation values ​​can be found in the product descriptions or our colleague will help you choose the right hearing protection. Safety, performance and comfort require an adequate reduction in noise levels, which can be neither too much nor too little.