Is Custom Hearing Protection Really Better?
It depends on who you ask, but there are many reasons more companies are choosing to switch to custom-fit earplugs and ditch the single-use foam earplugs, including:
Effectiveness
Disposable foam earplugs are one-size-fits-all, but not everyone’s ears are the same size and shape, making foam earplugs less effective for some workers than others. dB Blockers are custom-molded to every individual’s unique ear, meaning they fit like a glove and don’t let harmful noise slip through the crack.
Because of the custom fit, dB Blockers can’t be put on wrong, but foam earplugs are almost always placed incorrectly. In fact, a survey conducted by the U.S. Navy found that 93% of regular foam earplug wearers didn’t insert their earplugs deeply enough to reach the hearing protection level they needed.
Comfort
If you’re familiar with foam earplugs, you know firsthand that they are not for long periods of time, and when hearing PPE isn’t comfortable, it’s less likely that your team will use it 100% of the time.
dB Blockers are the most comfortable ear protection you can get, and between the custom-fit and skin-soft silicone, they’re the hearing protection your crew will actually wear.
Cost
One of the biggest reasons safety managers stick with foam earplugs for so long before switching to custom options is the up-front cost. Foam earplugs cost less in comparison. But, they also can only be used once, meaning they’re probably not the greatest long-term, scalable solution.
dB Blockers have a larger up-front cost, but have a lifespan of up to five years with proper care. If you do the math, the investment pays for itself after just six to nine months, leaving more than 4 years of essentially cost-free hearing protection.
Environmental Impact
Most foam earplugs are made of PVC and polyurethane, which are fossil-based plastics that have been shown to be two of the most harmful plastics to people and the planet. From the chemical-heavy production process to long after disposal, foam earplugs have a significant negative impact on the environment.
Just a single pair of dB Blockers can eliminate thousands of foam earplugs from entering landfills, and when you multiply that by every person on your team, you’ll be saving your team’s hearing just as much as you’re saving the planet.
Why Choose dB Blockers?
If you’re ready to make the switch to custom-fit earplugs, you have a lot of options. So, why should you choose dB Blockers by Protect Ear? On top of having the most comfortable custom earplugs on the market, we make it easy to work with us:
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24/7 On-Site Impressions
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90-Day FitRight™ Guarantee
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Protection for Every Work Environment
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Quick & Easy Online Reorder Process
Switch to dB Blockers and Save
Protect Ear customers save thousands of dollars with dB Blockers versus disposable earplugs. But the real savings come in the form of your crew’s comfort and consistency in wearing the hearing PPE they need on the job.
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