Universal Hearing Protection Products

Expandable foam plugs

These plugs are made of a formable material designed to expand and conform to the shape of each person’s ear canal. Roll the expandable plugs into a thin, crease-free cylinder. Whether you roll plugs with thumb and fingers or across your palm doesn’t matter. What’s critical is the final result—a smooth tube thin enough so that about half the length will fit easily into your ear canal. Some individuals, especially women with small ear canals, have difficulty rolling typical plugs small enough to make them fit. A few manufacturers now offer a small size expandable plug.

Canal caps

Canal caps often resemble earplugs on a flexible plastic or metal band. The earplug tips of a canal cap may be a formable or pre-molded material. Some have headbands that can be worn over the head, behind the neck or under the chin. Newer models have jointed bands increasing the ability to properly seal the earplug.

The main advantage canal caps offer is convenience. When it’s quiet, employees can leave the band hanging around their necks. They can quickly insert the plug tips when hazardous noise starts again. Some people find the pressure from the bands uncomfortable. Not all canal caps have tips that adequately block all types of noise. Generally, the canal caps tips that resemble stand-alone earplugs seem to block the most noise.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs come in many models designed to fit most people. They work to block out noise by completely covering the outer ear. Muffs can be “low profile” with small ear cups or large to hold extra materials for use in extreme noise. Some muffs also include electronic components to help users communicate or to block impulsive noises.

Workers who have heavy beards or sideburns or who wear glasses may find it difficult to get good protection from earmuffs. The hair and the temples of the glasses break the seal that the earmuff cushions make around the ear. For these workers, earplugs are best. Other potential drawbacks of earmuffs are that some people feel they can be hot and heavy in some environments.

The best hearing protector is the one that is comfortable and convenient and that you will wear every time you are in an environment with hazardous noise.

Filtered

Universal fit filtered earplugs are designed to be uniform in their attenuation, meaning they reduce sound relatively equally across all frequencies to keep music sounding more natural.

For more information: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Missoula Office

317 S Orange St.
Missoula, MT 59801

(406) 552-0412

Hours
Monday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Hamilton Office

299 Fairgrounds Rd., Ste 4
Hamilton, MT 59840

(406) 552-0412

Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday: Closed

Polson Office

1 14th Ave. W
Polson, MT 59860

(406) 552-0412

Hours
By Appointment

Plains Office

12 Mount Highway 28
Plains, MT 59859

(406) 552-0412

Hours
By Appointment
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