Earplug 945775 223922571 2008-07-06T15:03:09Z Graham87 194203 /* Musicians' or 'Hi-Fi' earplugs */ sp, wikilink [[Image:Swimming Earplugs.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Silicone rubber earplugs for protection against water, dust etc.]] An '''earplug''' is a device that is meant to be inserted in the [[ear canal]] to protect the wearer's hearing from loud noises or the intrusion of water, foreign bodies, dust or excessive wind. ==Protection from water== Some earplugs are primarily designed to keep water out of the ear canal, especially during swimming and watersports. These may be made of [[wax]] or [[silicone]] which is custom-fitted to the ear canal by the wearer. A 2003 study published in Clinical Otolaryngology, found that a cotton ball saturated with petroleum jelly was more effective at keeping water out of the ear, easier to use, and more comfortable than wax plugs, foam plugs, EarGuard, Aquafit, or EarSeal.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} As many have advised, including [[Jacques-Yves Cousteau]]<ref>''The Silent World'' (New York:1953, Harper, pp. 5-6)</ref>, ear plugs are actually harmful to divers, especially [[SCUBA]] divers. Scuba divers breathe compressed air or other gas mixtures, at a pressure matching the water pressure. This pressure is also inside the ear, but not between the eardrum and the earplug, so the pressure behind the eardrum will often burst the eardrum. Skin divers have less pressure inside the ears, but they also have only atmospheric pressure in the outer ear canal. == Hearing protection == ===History=== The first recorded use of wax earplugs is in the ''[[Odyssey]],'' wherein [[Odysseus]]'s crew used wax earplugs to avoid being distracted by the [[Sirens]]' songs. Current earplug material was discovered in 1967, at National Research in the USA, by Ross Gardner and his team. As part of a project on sealing joints, they developed a resin with energy absorption properties. This E-A-R material was later developed into commercial [[memory foam]] earplugs. === 'Basic' type plugs === [[Image:Disposable foam earplugs.jpg|thumb|155px|left|Disposable foam earplugs: with coins for scale (top) and inserted into the wearer's ear.]] This kind of earplug protection is often worn by industrial workers who work within hearing distance of [[Industrial noise|loud machinery]] for long periods, and is used by the British [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) for [[Soldier|soldiers]] to use when firing weapons. Earplugs are rated with "Noise Reduction Ratings" or NRRs (Single Number Ratings, or SNR, in the European Union), which provide a guide to the noise protection, in [[decibel]]s, afforded by the device. Ratings usually spread between 26 and 33 decibels. Most earplugs are made of [[memory foam]], that is typically rolled into a tightly compressed cylinder (without creases) by the wearer's fingers and then inserted in the ear canal. Once released, the earplug expands until it seals the canal, blocking the sound vibrations that reach the [[eardrum]]. Other plugs simply push into the ear canal without being rolled first. Sometimes earplugs are connected with a cord to keep them together when not in use. Other common material bases for earplugs are [[wax]] or [[silicone]], which is rolled into a ball and carefully molded to fit over the external portion of the ear canal, providing a snug custom fit for the wearer. Other devices that provide hearing protection include electronic devices worn around and/or in the ear, designed to cancel out the loud noise of a gunshot, while possibly amplifying quieter sounds to normal levels. While rich in features, these electronic devices carry a price over one hundred times their foam counterparts. Since they reduce the sound volume, earplugs are often used to help prevent hearing loss and [[tinnitus]] (ringing of the ears), amongst other ailments. === Musicians' or 'Hi-Fi' earplugs === [[Image:Musicians earplugs.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Musicians' earplugs. The Grey end caps contain an acoustic transmission line with a damper (attenuator) at the end while the domed flanges form a seal in outer part of the ear canal. The output port can just be seen as a small hole at the near end of the left plug]] [[Musician]]s who perform music styles noted for their loud nature, especially [[rock music]], often wear earplugs to prevent their own performances from damaging their hearing. '''Musicians'''' earplugs are designed to [[attenuate]] sounds evenly across the [[Audio frequency|audio]] band and thus do not affect the user's perception of [[Bass (musical term)|bass]] and [[treble]] levels. These are commonly used by musicians and technicians both in the studio and in concert to avoid overexposure to high volume levels whilst providing a good balance over the frequency range. [[Image:Musicians orange plugs.jpg|left|thumb|250px| Economy type musicians' earplugs made from silicone rubber. The hole seen in the left plug is the input port and extends as far as the central flange where the attenuation occurs]] They generally achieve this by incorporating a tiny [[diaphragm (acoustics)|diaphragm]] to reduce low frequencies, together with absorbant or damping material for high frequencies, and so can be quite costly, being intended for constant re-use unlike simple earplugs which are disposable. These earplugs usually give an attenuation of only about 20dB and are not intended for protection from very high noise levels (>105 dB). [[Image:Elacin (R) ER-25 - musician Earplug worn.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Professional silicone blue-black earplug with blue filter-element Elacin ER-25 for musicians]] [[Image:ER-25 Earplugs blue-black.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Professional silicone blue-black earplug with blue filter-element Elacin ER-25 for musicians. One filter-element is taken out of the earplug to show its size.]] Some "Musicians" earplugs are custom-made for the individual listener. An audiologist administers a hearing test and makes molds of the ear. A company then makes a custom ear-piece into which different attenuator capsules can be inserted. These different capsules will provide different levels of attenuation, usually 9, 15, and 25dB. These types of earplugs will provide the flattest attenuation and the truest isolation from outside noise, as they fit firmly into the individuals ears. They also provide much better protection from very high noise levels. This type of plug is quite popular amongst audio engineers as they can listen to their loud mixes at an even and safe level for extended periods. In other activities, hobby [[motorcyclist]]s and [[skiier]]s may also choose to use decibel reduction earplugs, to compensate for the ongoing noise of the wind against their head or helmet. ===Flight ear protection=== Earplugs are available which help to protect ears from the pain caused by airplane cabin pressure changes. Some products contain a porous ceramic insert which reportedly aids equalization of air pressure between the inner and outer ear thereby preventing pain during landings and take-offs. ===Health risks=== Prolonged use of earplugs may cause [[earwax]] to build up and plug the [[outer ear]], since it blocks the normal flow of earwax outwards.<ref name=goaskalice> [http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/3366.html Columbia University] - Ear plugs </ref> Therefore, it is necessary to clean both the ear plugs and ears between use in cases of prolonged use, e.g. when sleeping with earplugs. Otherwise [[tinnitus]], hearing loss, discharge, pain, and infection might arise.<ref name=goaskalice/> Earplugs are washed with water and mild soap, and rinsed thoroughly with clean water and dried by air or by using a clean cloth. [[Earwax removal]], on the other hand, can be performed in several ways. Simple movement of the jaw helps the ears' natural cleaning process, so [[chewing gum]] and talking can both help. If this is insufficient, the most common method of cerumen removal by [[general practitioner]]s is [[syringe|syringing]] with warm water (used by 95% of GPs<ref name=Sharp>{{ cite journal | author= Sharp, J.F., Wilson, J.A., Ross, L., Barr-Hamilton, R.M. | title=Ear wax removal: A survey of current practice | journal=Br.Med.J. | year=1990 | pages=1251-1253 | volume=301 | issue=6763 | pmid=2271824 }}</ref>). A [[curette]] method is more likely to be used by [[Otolaryngology|otolaryngologists]] when the ear canal is partially occluded and the material is not adhering to the skin of the ear canal. [[Cotton swab]]s, on the other hand, might just push the earwax further into the ear canal. ==Custom molds== Noise and decibel reduction earplugs can be molded to fit an individual's [[ear canal]]. This is associated with a higher cost, but can help to reduce the discomfort typically experienced after longer use, or if the level of protection or performance is inadequate. Pressure and flight earplug molds are less common, as they are typically not used as long as other earplugs, and are therefore less in demand. ==Non-human== Earplugs are available for [[horse]]s used in sports such as [[mounted shooting]].<ref>[http://www.cmsaweb.com/store/product94.html horse earplugs on a vendor website], accessed 2008-03-02.</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == {{Commonscat|Ear plugs}} *[http://www.surfplugs.co.uk/ Surfplugs for surfers & swimmers] *[http://www.soundguard.co.uk/ Soundguard Hearing protection] *[http://www.macksearplugs.com/ Mack's Earplugs website] *[http://www.hearnet.com/ Hearing education and awareness for rockers] *[http://www.dontlosethemusic.com/ Don't lose the music campaign website] *[http://www.rnid.org.uk Royal National Institute for Deaf people] *[http://www.freehearingtest.com/nrr.shtml "the naked truth about NRR's"--scientific analysis of ear plug effectiveness] [[Category:Hearing]] [[Category:Protective gear]] [[Category:Horse protective equipment]] [[Category:Headgear]] [[Category:Noise reduction]] [[de:Ohrenstöpsel]] [[es:Tapón para los oídos]] [[fr:Protections auditives]] [[ko:귀마개]] [[he:אטמי אוזניים]] [[nl:Gehoorbescherming]] [[ja:耳栓]] [[pl:Stopper]] [[pt:Protetor auricular]] [[ru:Беруши‎]] [[fi:Korvatulppa]] [[sv:Öronpropp]]