Disposable foam ear plugs are widely available and can have the highest level of noise protection.

Advantages:

• High levels of noise blocking (or reduction)
• Comfortable to wear
• Inexpensive
• Available in many sizes

Disadvantages:

• Difficult to fit the same way every time. You may think you are protected, but if the earplugs aren't inserted right, it can reduce how much sound is blocked.
• One size doesn't fit everyone
• Requires extra training to insert properly and consistently
• Takes extra time to insert if going in and out of noise environments

Preformed or molded earplugs provide a consistent fit and are reusable. They come in different sizes. Trained technicians at hearing conservation clinics can fit you with the right size.

Advantages:

• Reusable
• Washable with warm soapy water
• Provide consistent fit
• Come in multiple sizes
• Comfortable when sized and fitted correctly
• Provide good levels of noise reduction when fitted and worn properly
• Lower cost if you work in consistently loud environments
• Easy to insert if going in and out of noise environments

Disadvantages:

• Correct sizing is important
• Becomes loose when you move your jaw (talking or chewing) or if you bump the earplug

Filtered earplugs maintain sound quality. They are great for musicians because they lower the volume while not changing the quality of sound. Filtered earplugs reduce noise the same at all pitches. Sounds will be more natural, while providing some hearing protection. Filtered earplugs are also known as:

• Flat attenuation earplugs
• Linear attenuation earplugs
• Uniform attenuation earplugs
• Musician’s earplugs

Advantages:

• Preserve sound quality
• Block less noise so you can hear important sounds easier

Disadvantages:

• Correct sizing is important
• Not suitable for higher noise environments
• Becomes loose when you move your jaw (talking or chewing) or if you bump the earplug

Level-dependent earplugs have two positions without electronics. They block sounds in either a closed (shown on left) or open (shown on right) setting. You can use these earplugs in the closed position when in constant loud noise, such as riding in an airplane or tank. Wear the same earplug in the open position to be able to listen for important sounds and still protect you from sudden loud noise, such as gunfire. Level-dependent earplugs are also known as:

• Nonlinear earplugs
• Amplitude-sensitive earplugs
• Tactical earplugs
• Shooter’s earplugs
• Vented earplugs

Advantages:

• Block less noise so you can hear important sounds easier, while also protecting your hearing from damaging impulse noise (blasts, gunfire)
• Two positions – open and closed
• Wear closed for continuous noise
• Wear open for impulse noise

Disadvantages:

• The open position offers little protection against consistently loud noise
• Correct sizing is important
• Closed position impairs ability to hear important sounds
• Becomes loose when you move your jaw (talking or chewing) or if you bump the earplug

Noise muffs provide good protection from consistently loud environments. They are easy to put on and take off so are great for intermittent noise exposure. Because they cover the outer ear, it can be difficult to determine the direction of a sound. Most noise muffs have a correct way to wear them. The headband should fit snugly over the top of your head. A loose headband will cause the earcups to slide and not provide a proper seal. To get a good seal around the earcups, the material must be pliable, undamaged, and properly sized. Some noise muffs are available in multiple sizes even for small children. When worn improperly, the noise muffs will block less noise and not provide the expected protection.

Advantage:

• Easy to put on and take off, making them good for intermittent noise exposure

Disadvantage:

• Make it difficult to determine the direction of a sound