If you are like most people, you own earphones that are inserted directly into your ear opening. For some people, these fit instantly. If it doesn’t, they can choose from one of the other size tips that come prepackaged with the device. For most people, however, these devices never quite fit as well as they should. This can cause them to fall out constantly. People who wear noise-canceling devices suffer the same problem. This is one of the many reasons so many people now rely on custom ear products.
The Advantages of Choosing Custom Molds
The specific advantages of not going with store-bought ear plugs come down to why you use them. That said, many people buy plugs for one reason and end up finding them useful for many other purposes.
1. Stays Put:
Musicians who wear ear plugs often find that they begin to fall out when they move around. Workers at construction sites and factories may also find that as they work and begin to sweat throughout the day, the same problem occurs. Similarly, people who roll around a lot in their sleep often wake up to realize one plug is missing. When plugs are custom made, they stay put.
2. Preserves Hearing:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns that continued exposure to loud noises could cost you your hearing over time. Even worse, when this type of hearing loss occurs, neither surgery nor even sometimes hearing aids can help. You may also suffer from an uncomfortable ringing in the ear known as tinnitus. If your foam plugs are uncomfortable, you may not want to wear them. Custom plugs can improve your rate of compliance.
3. Provides Comfort:
Some plugs offer no risk of falling out. Instead, they fit so snuggly in the ear that it begins to heat up and feel uncomfortable. The sound of your own voice may also begin to sound like it’s muffled, as if you are speaking in a barrel, stopped up. Then, there are those you can never quite get in correctly. You roll it and fold it and still, it only goes halfway in and pops back out. Custom-fit options are easy to insert because they are made specifically for you and the shape of your ear. You can even add features such as tiny handles for easy removal or cords for retention in case of a highly active lifestyle.
4. Improves Sleep Quality:
If you’re a light sleeper, plugs can help you to finally enjoy a good night’s rest. Your partner could be snoring loudly and you wouldn’t be disturbed. This offers additional health benefits throughout your day. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, good quality sleep boosts your immunity, reduces stress and improves focus.
5. Helps the Environment:
Musicians/professionals and people who use earplugs for sleeping throw out more than 700 foam plugs per year. This may not sound like much, but it adds up per person. In fact, a 2018 study found that single-use foam ear plugs are creating an environmental disaster. Owning a custom pair that lasts for years reduces the pileup up in landfills.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage people perceive with custom molded ear plugs is cost. The keyword here is “perceive.” If you buy a pack of high-quality foam plugs, you probably spend about 20 cents per pair. Used once daily (or nightly!), that works out to $73 per year.
By year two, you’ve spent roughly $146, assuming you haven’t become frustrated and changed brands a few times with the last jar still full. In contrast, you can get custom-fitting plugs for around $150 that last for many years and is of much higher quality.
Get Your Pair at Memorial Hearing
Are you looking for ear plugs that comfortably keep out the loud noises that interfere with your work, health and sleep? Our hearing care professionals at Memorial Hearing in Houston can provide the solution you need. To get started, give us a call at (713) 984-7562 or contact us online.