Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Earplug
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
===Custom molds=== Earplugs can be molded to fit an individual's ear canal. This costs more, but can improve fit for the few percent that have an ear anatomy outside the norm.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/custom-molded-earplugs-myths-truths-tom-alexander-trones/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702124130/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/custom-molded-earplugs-myths-truths-tom-alexander-trones/|archive-date=2019-07-02|title=Custom Molded Earplugs - The Myths and Truths|date=2019-07-02|access-date=2019-07-02}}</ref> Custom molded earplugs fall into two categories: Laboratory made and Formed in Place. Laboratory made requires an impression to be made by a professional of the ear canal and outer ear. The impression is sent to a laboratory to be checked and made into a hearing protector. Formed in place uses the same process to make an impression of the ear canal and outer ear and then turns that impression into the protector. Both types of custom molded earplugs are non-disposable with the laboratory made typically lasting for 3 β 5 years and the formed in place lasting for 1 β 2 years. For the best attenuation and proper fit, the impressions for custom molds must meet a desired criteria by the manufacturer of the mold. Before an impression can be taken for the custom mold the ear canal is checked for any wax or physical abnormalities. This is important in making sure there is a proper seal with the impression material and also not to push any wax deep into the canal. The otoblock (made with foam or cotton) will be inserted deep in the canal to prevent the impression material from going too far. The impression material (either silicone or powder/liquid) will be placed into the ear canal. This will need to be fully made, making sure there are no gaps or creases in the impression. If there are, then the mold made from the impression will not adequately seal the ear canal. Once the custom mold is made, it will need to be inspected by the Audiologist for proper fit on the patient. Hearing protection should also be verified using real-ear methods to ensure proper attenuation. Real-ear attentuation at threshold (REAT) measurements test how narrowband noises of varying frequency are attenuated with and without the custom mold in place. Testing for low-frequency attenuation can help to verify the earmold fit while testing high-frequency attenuation can verify the properties of the filter used.<ref name=":22"/><ref name=":2" /> For best results they are molded in the ear while in the position that they will be used. For instance, if they are to be used for sleeping then they should be molded in the ear while lying down, as different positioning of the jaws causes significant changes to the form of the ear canal, mostly a reduction of the diameter, risking the sleep earplug to be made too large otherwise. It is also important that during the impression process that a music performer use their [[embouchure]] or move the jaw to mimic singing in order to account for ear canal changes during performance. Therefore, if the impression is not properly constructed, then it will need to be redone.<ref name=":2" /> These changes can be felt by feeling with a finger just at the entrance to the ear canal while moving the jaws sideways, up and down or [[anterior and posterior]]. Most molded earplugs are made from silicone but other materials may be used, including thermoplastics,<ref name="zenplugs">{{cite web|url=http://www.zenplugs.com/molded-earplugs |title=ZenPlugs Custom Moulded Earplugs |publisher=Zenplugs.com |access-date=2013-06-22}}</ref> plastic, nylon <ref name="Serenity Earplugs">{{cite web|url=https://www.phonak-communications.com/en/products/hearing-protection/serenity-sp |title=Phonak Serenity SP Custom Molded Earplugs |publisher=Phonak.com |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> and even 3-D printed earplugs.
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)