Custom Hearing Protection

How custom hearing protection works

Custom earplugs start with impressions of your ear canals. The plugs are made to match that shape, so they slide into place the same way every time and seal without pressure points. Depending on what you need, they can be made with filters that lower volume evenly, or as solid plugs that block as much sound as possible.

Fit is the whole story with hearing protection. Foam earplugs can work, but only when they’re rolled and inserted deep enough, and many people never quite get them in right. A plug that isn’t sealed doesn’t protect much. Comfort matters too. The best hearing protection is the kind you’ll actually keep in for the whole concert, shift, or night’s sleep.

Why protecting your hearing matters

Loud sound can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that turn sound into signals for the brain. That damage is permanent. Over time it can lead to hearing loss and to tinnitus, the ringing or buzzing many people notice after a loud night out. Read more about tinnitus and how it’s treated.

The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Wearing well-fitted protection whenever sound is loud is one of the simplest things you can do for your long-term hearing.

Options for every situation

Musicians and concertgoers

Off-the-shelf foam plugs muffle everything, so music sounds dull and distant. Musician’s earplugs use flat-attenuation filters that preserve the full frequency response. Music sounds natural, just quieter and safer. They’re popular with performers, music teachers, sound engineers, and anyone who spends a lot of nights at shows. Los Angeles has a busy live music scene, and a good pair makes it easier to keep enjoying it for years to come.

If you perform and need to hear a monitor mix, take a look at custom in-ear monitors, which combine monitoring and protection in one earpiece.

Industrial and occupational noise

For construction, manufacturing, aviation, and any job with sustained loud noise, high-attenuation custom plugs block as much sound as possible while staying comfortable through a long shift. If your workplace has specific hearing protection requirements, check with your employer or safety officer about what’s needed.

Motorsports and shooting

Engine and wind noise wear on your ears over hours, and gunfire is a sudden, extremely loud sound that can damage hearing in an instant. Custom plugs for motorsports and shooting give you a secure, comfortable fit that stays put, including under a helmet or earmuffs.

Sleep

Snoring partners, traffic, and early-morning noise can all cost you sleep. Custom sleep plugs are shaped to your ears, so many people find them more comfortable than foam for a full night, including side sleepers.

Swimming

Custom swim plugs are designed to keep water out of your ear canals, and a molded fit seals more reliably than generic plugs. If you’re prone to ear infections or a doctor has told you to keep your ears dry, ask your doctor whether swim plugs are a good fit for you.

What to expect at your visit

A look in your ears first

We start by examining your ear canals with an otoscope to make sure they’re clear and healthy. If there’s wax buildup, it needs to be removed before impressions are taken, because wax can change the shape of the impression and affect the fit. Our guide to earwax removal explains why cotton swabs aren’t the answer.

Taking your impressions

We place a small protective block in each canal, then fill the ear with a soft material that sets in a few minutes. It’s painless and quick. The impressions are used to make plugs shaped precisely to your ears.

Choosing the right style

We’ll talk about where you need protection and what you still want to hear. A musician who wants natural sound needs something very different from someone who works next to heavy machinery. Some people find they want more than one pair for different parts of life.

Checking the fit

When your plugs are ready, we check that they seal properly and feel comfortable, and show you how to put them in and take them out.

Our approach at Alexander Audiology

As an audiology practice, we look at your hearing as a whole, not just at the earplug. If you’re regularly around loud sound, a baseline hearing test is a smart idea, because it makes any changes easier to spot later. If you’ve already noticed muffled hearing or ringing, see our list of signs it’s time for a hearing test.

Caring for custom earplugs

• Clean them regularly with a soft cloth or mild soap and water, and let them dry completely. If your plugs have filters, keep the filters dry.
• Store them in their case to keep them clean and protected.
• Keep them away from heat, like a hot car dashboard.
• Don’t share them. They’re made for your ears only.

Your ears can change shape over time. If your plugs start to feel loose or uncomfortable, or don’t seal like they used to, come see us. They may need to be remade from new impressions.

Protect your hearing

Our Santa Monica clinic serves the Westside of Los Angeles, and our Solvang clinic serves the Santa Ynez Valley. To get fitted for custom hearing protection, book an appointment and tell us where you need it most.