Earplug

Silicone rubber earplugs for protection against water, dust etc.

An earplug is a device usually used to protect the ears from loud noises. They are put inside the ear canal and can also be used to protect the ear from water, dust or anything that doesn't belong in the ear.

Types of ear plugs

Ear plugs are made using many different materials to be used for different reasons.

Wax - these earplugs are harder and usually need to be squeezed and rolled between fingers before pacing in ears
Foam - made of polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane, these plugs need to be squeezed and rolled to be put in the ear. When they are put inside, they will expand to fit the ear canal.
Silicone - these earplugs are usually softer and are not placed inside the ear canal like foam or wax earplugs. Instead, they are placed in the external part of the ear canal.
Flange - flange does not describe the material of these earplugs but their special design. These earplugs are flexible and have ridges and flaps instead of being smooth like the previous earplugs

Ear plugs are also made to be re-used or disposable.

Uses of earplugs

Noise Reduction - the most common use for earplugs is to protect ears from loud sounds. They can be used in places with long periods of noise such as concerts and at restaurants or can be used to block sudden sounds such as an ambulance travelling past you. Ear plugs do not stop all sound from entering your ears, they only reduce sound.
- Sleeping - some ear plugs are made to be soft and stay inside the ear during sleep to protect against any loud sounds at night such as snoring.
Swimming - some ear plugs are made to keep water out of the ears and are useful for swimmers and other people who spend a lot of time in the water, helping to avoid surfer's ear.
Flying - for some people, changes in airplane cabin pressure can be painful. There are earplugs that help to prevent this which is very useful during landing and take-off as well as when a passenger is trying to sleep.

Earplug Media

Pre-molded earplugs (left), formable earplugs (center), and roll-down foam earplugs (right)
Badly-inserted earplug, semi-inserted earplug, and properly-inserted earplug
Disposable foam earplugs: with coins for scale (top) and inserted into the wearer's ear.
Earplugs with instructions for use
Flanged earplugs made from silicone rubber. The hole in the left plug is the input port and extends as far as the central flange where the attenuation occurs
Musicians' earplugs. The grey end caps contain an acoustic transmission line with a damper (attenuator) at the end while the domed flanges form a seal in the ear canal. The output port can just be seen as a small hole at the near end of the left plug
Custom earplugs worn by professional musicians
Lead singer of the metal band Sepultura Derrick Green wearing a custom earplug
Использование системы производственного контроля эффективности средств индивидуальной защиты органа слуха (СИЗОС) для определения фактического ослабления шума вкладышами (с учётом свойств модели СИЗОС, индивидуальных особенностей работника, и его навыков по установке вкладышей).
Earplugs are a form of hearing protection

Other websites

National Hearing Care Find an audiologist in Australia and get more information on hearing prevention.
Bay Audiology Find an audiologist in New Zealand and get more information on hearing loss prevention.