Are Custom Earplugs Effective?

If you experience hearing loss, and are noticing your diminished hearing becoming more severe, you’re likely looking for solutions to keep the issue from getting worse. As with any medical condition, you should contact a hearing instrument specialist or hearing care professional immediately to be examined, but there are other things you can do in the meantime to provide yourself with hearing protection. 

Disposable earplugs

Many people rely on devices like earplugs to help them minimize their risk of hearing damage. Earplugs are easily accessible and are easy to use and fit inside the ears, as they are usually made of form and quite adaptable. You can buy them anywhere, from retail stores to gas stations and often you can find them being given out for free at bars and music venues. They provide an extra layer of protection to the ear when can be especially helpful for those who work around construction, with loud equipment or musical venues, with loud music being played. 

Problems with disposable options

However, these disposable earplugs only help so much. For starters, being of a reasonably light and flimsy material, they don’t protect against all types of sounds and frequencies. They only provide a partial layer of protection for the ear. Because they are one-size-fits-all, they often don’t fit adequately inside the ear, becoming dislodged, fitting awkwardly and sometimes even popping or sliding out of the ear frequently. This isn’t protecting your ear. People who have small ear canals find these especially hard to use as they simply won’t stay in. Further, foam earplugs are not eco-friendly. Because they get thrown away on the daily, usually after just one use and the material they are made of doesn’t break down, they will litter the earth for years. 

Many people with hearing loss like the idea of earplugs but hesitate to use them for all the reasons listed above. For those people, there does exist another, more logical option: custom fitted earplugs.

Custom earplugs

Custom-fitted earplugs are a great investment for any person who works around loud equipment, and/or is looking for a product that will help reduce the severity of their hearing loss. Custom earplugs are just as they sound: custom fitted to your individual ear, offering more support and protection for you. They come in a variety of styles and colors for your individual tastes and you can go as elaborate or as simple as you wish. They are a great option for anyone who likes the idea of earplugs but wants something a little more advanced than foam. 

You can speak to a hearing instrument specialist, who can guide you through the process of choosing, fitting and purchasing custom fitted earplugs. They’ll help you decide which one is best for your particular situation. 

While custom-fitted earplugs are more of an investment than disposable varieties, they offer many benefits the counter doesn’t, making them a wise selection. Not only do they protect your ears so much better than disposables, they’re customized for your ears and will last you for years and years. Some even come with warranties or guarantees. It’s a worthy investment if you value your hearing and your ear health, as any hearing professional will tell you. 

Both options have different benefits and uses. Any extra layer of protection is good for the ear, as is attempting to avoid situations in which there will be loud noises or damaging frequencies that can exacerbate hearing loss. Of course, we understand that you’re not always able to avoid these situations. That’s why investing in a good set of earplugs is so important. If affordability is a concern, your hearing instrument specialist can go over payment options, help you navigate your insurance coverage, and in some cases, there may be payment plans or financial assistance options available. 

Consult with a hearing instrument specialist, such as the great team at Hearing Well Matters (647) 247-2704) today to talk about your hearing loss, schedule a hearing test, and find out more about custom fitted earplugs today. They can also guide you through the process of choosing a hearing aid, from the wide variety of types on the market, from in-the-canal styles to behind-the-ear devices. They’ll guide you every step of the way in taking care of your ears and finding a course of treatment that can partially restore your hearing and better your quality of life.