You might be surprised, but wearing earplug hearing protection incorrectly can leave your hearing at serious risk. Even a small gap or improper fit can reduce effectiveness, allowing damaging noise to reach your ears.
True protection comes only when earplugs are properly inserted and worn consistently throughout noisy tasks, ensuring your hearing stays safe for the long haul.
Why does proper fit for hearing protection matter?
Ensuring effective hearing protection is crucial for preventing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a permanent condition that affects millions of workers worldwide. Proper insertion of hearing protection devices (HPDs) is essential to achieve the desired noise reduction and safeguard your hearing health.
Incorrectly inserted earplugs or earmuffs can lead to inadequate noise attenuation, leaving you vulnerable to harmful noise levels. Even slight gaps or improper seals can significantly reduce the effectiveness of your hearing protection. Therefore, it's vital to follow the correct procedures for inserting and wearing your hearing protection devices.
How to properly insert HexArmor's earplugs
Before we discuss how to insert your hearing protection correctly, determine which type of hearing protection you will be using: disposable or reusable.
Regardless of the option you choose, your hearing protection must be used correctly to ensure optimal safety.
Disposable: Correctly inserting disposable earplugs
- Roll the HexArmor® disposable earplugs between your thumb and forefinger into a small, crease-free cylinder.
- With your free hand, reach over your head and gently pull the ear up so that the ear canal is straight. This helps you get the best fit possible.
- Insert HexArmor® earplugs and briefly hold them in place until fully expanded. Repeat on the other ear.
- If the earplugs cannot be seen from the front, they are in the right position. If they can be seen, take the earplug out, roll it down again, and gently pull your ear up once more before inserting the earplug.
Please note that although disposable earplugs can be thrown away after each use, the primary reason for discarding them is related to hygiene concerns.
If you have clean ears/ear canals, you can wear disposable earplugs more than once.
Reusable: Correctly inserting and cleaning reusable earplugs
- HexArmor's reusable simpleFit® earplugs feature a left and right paddle, marked with an L (left side) and an R (right side).
- With your right hand, take the R paddle of the reusable earplug between your thumb and forefinger.
- Using the paddle, provide a gentle rotation and pressure to guide the reusable earplug into your right ear canal. The earplug should be completely inside the ear canal when properly inserted.
- A perfect fit is achieved if the teardrop-shaped paddle faces down and slightly forward. If not, fit the reusable earplug deeper into the ear canal with a gentle rotating movement. Repeat steps 2-4 with the left side.
Proper care and use of earplugs
To get the most protection from reusable earplugs, proper cleaning and care are essential. In dusty or dirty work environments, particles can stick to earplugs and cause irritation or minor injuries in the ear canal if they’re not cleaned regularly. We recommend wiping them with a moist cloth or gently washing them with water and mild soap. When not in use, store earplugs in a clean, enclosed case to keep them safe and undamaged.
Proper care is just one part of effective hearing protection. Once earplugs are inserted, avoid touching them to maintain their seal and prevent contamination. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining all hearing protection devices to prolong their lifespan and ensure maximum effectiveness.
For additional safety, consider undergoing fit-testing to confirm your hearing protection provides the correct noise attenuation. Regular training and education on best practices further reinforce proper usage and help keep hearing safe over the long term.
Properly inserting and maintaining your hearing protection devices is a fundamental aspect of workplace safety. By following the correct procedures and incorporating additional safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss and protect your hearing health for years to come.
HexArmor® can help
Properly inserting your hearing protection is just as crucial as choosing an earplug that’s comfortable, convenient, and suited to your specific workplace noise hazards.
Finding the right fit doesn’t have to be a challenge — HexArmor® offers solutions to help you select hearing protection that works safely and effectively.
Engineered with the highest quality design and materials, we offer a comprehensive family of hearing protection – from disposable and reusable earplugs to earmuffs – to provide more options that fit your ear canal, application, and environment.
Because there are several factors to consider when choosing which hearing protection is right for you, let us know if you need help finding what you need or if you're ready to start a trial - our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1-877-MY ARMOR or send us a message.
Browse all HexArmor® hearing protection
[Originally published on February 8, 2021]
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