Earplug

Earplugs (even earplugs, earplugs ) are sorted by material more or less flexible objects for insertion into the ear canal to reduce the sound pressure level. They are an easy way of hearing protection.

They prevent excessive stress or injury ( acute acoustic trauma, noise-induced hearing ) of the inner ear by acoustic pulse or continuous sound events (noise) such as noise at work or in leisure activities ( concerts, nightclubs ), with the engine noise or the use of firearms. Even when playing noise instruments (eg whistle, recorder head, ratchet, drums) they are used.

Due to the natural bend of the external auditory canal of the ear plugs is often not inserted deep enough. The ear canal can be stretched during insertion by pulling with the other hand the ear upward. After inserting held about ten seconds in position, the earplug expands again.

Regularly for a long time to wear ear plugs is controversial because it can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ear. When wearing very frequently it can also cause hypersensitivity in terms of perception come (decreased interference threshold, hyperacusis ). It may also, depending on the hardness of the material, cause irritation of the ear canal.

Different types of ear plugs

A distinction

• Before use to be molded plugs for single use (eg from awake soaked cotton wool or foam ).
• Completely shaped plug for single use only.
• Completely shaped plugs for multiple use (eg, customized plug made ​​of plastic, some with adjustable sound insulation, or with or without handles ).

The plugs can be made of foam, soft plastic, wax, silicone, wool or cotton.

Simple ear plugs of wax or foam often have a high efficiency. However, they usually have a highly non- linear frequency response that limits by over-proportional damping of the high frequencies, the speech intelligibility. Therefore more expensive special models are offered for musicians, which are characterized by better linearity.

Market

Market leader in Germany is the Hessian company earplugs, the world Aearo Company with the trade names EAR and Peltor.