Molded Ear Plugs Are Comfortable And Effective
Molded ear plugs are highly comfortable and effective because they are individually molded to your ear canals. This means that they fit your ears perfectly so they effectively block sound and water from your ear canals with out pressing on the delicate skin lining them, unlike foam earplugs which expand, making them uncomfortable.
Molded ear plugs tend to last longer than other types of ear plugs as they are made of more resilient materials such as silicon and thermoplastic. They tend to be more expensive but you get what you pay for in terms of increased performance and longer product life.
There are two ways in which custom ear plugs can be made; either through a visit to an audiologist or at home from a kit. This first option is the most expensive; an audiologist takes an impression of the ears using alginate or a similar material which sets to form rubber negatives of the ear canals. These are sent to a factory where molds are taken using plaster of Paris or a similar material; this mold is used to mold silicon into an ear plug. This is sent back to the audiologist who checks the fit in the ear canal and can make minor subtractive adjustments. If the fit is poor the process needs to be repeated. Results are usually high quality.
The less expensive alternative is for the user to mold their ear plugs from a kit. Some kits contain a two-part silicon compound which is mixed by hand and applied to the ear, setting in a few minutes. The ear plugs are effective, long lasting and comfortable. Alternatively some kits contain a thermoplastic which softens in hot water, molding directly in the ear in a cleaner, quicker process.
Custom ear plugs can be joined with a cord or lanyard making them less likely to be lost. The cord can be tied to the zipper on a wetsuit if used in the sea so that if one comes out it isn't lost. This is particularly important with the more expensive versions. Silicon and thermoplastic are both non-porous and hygienic making moulded ear plugs highly suitable for use in the bath or in the sea, helping to prevent otitis externa (swimmers ear) and cranial exostosis (surfers' ear).
Molded ear plugs are more expensive to buy than other types of ear plug but because they last for years but the cost-per-use is lower than wax or foam ear plugs as these can only be used a few times before needing to be thrown away. This makes molded ear plugs a better choice for frequent or prolonged users of ear plugs. If they are are only required infrequently then cheaper versions will suffice.
Molded ear plugs tend to last longer than other types of ear plugs as they are made of more resilient materials such as silicon and thermoplastic. They tend to be more expensive but you get what you pay for in terms of increased performance and longer product life.
There are two ways in which custom ear plugs can be made; either through a visit to an audiologist or at home from a kit. This first option is the most expensive; an audiologist takes an impression of the ears using alginate or a similar material which sets to form rubber negatives of the ear canals. These are sent to a factory where molds are taken using plaster of Paris or a similar material; this mold is used to mold silicon into an ear plug. This is sent back to the audiologist who checks the fit in the ear canal and can make minor subtractive adjustments. If the fit is poor the process needs to be repeated. Results are usually high quality.
The less expensive alternative is for the user to mold their ear plugs from a kit. Some kits contain a two-part silicon compound which is mixed by hand and applied to the ear, setting in a few minutes. The ear plugs are effective, long lasting and comfortable. Alternatively some kits contain a thermoplastic which softens in hot water, molding directly in the ear in a cleaner, quicker process.
Custom ear plugs can be joined with a cord or lanyard making them less likely to be lost. The cord can be tied to the zipper on a wetsuit if used in the sea so that if one comes out it isn't lost. This is particularly important with the more expensive versions. Silicon and thermoplastic are both non-porous and hygienic making moulded ear plugs highly suitable for use in the bath or in the sea, helping to prevent otitis externa (swimmers ear) and cranial exostosis (surfers' ear).
Molded ear plugs are more expensive to buy than other types of ear plug but because they last for years but the cost-per-use is lower than wax or foam ear plugs as these can only be used a few times before needing to be thrown away. This makes molded ear plugs a better choice for frequent or prolonged users of ear plugs. If they are are only required infrequently then cheaper versions will suffice.
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