How custom earplugs are made – what is involved?

Now you’ve chosen where to purchase your custom earplugs, you’ll need to get an impression of your ear canals taken. Here’s an overview of what to expect when you visit your audiologist.

Before visiting your audiologist

If you are prone to suffering from the build up of ear wax, or you have had this condition in the past, then it is usually best if you visit a doctor before making an appointment with your audiologist. This way your ears can be checked and any excessive amounts of wax can be removed.

If ear wax is allowed to build up, then the mould of your ear canal will not be totally accurate, because the excess wax will stop an effective seal being created. This in turn can lead to an earplug being made which does not fit you properly.

Also, if you have recently undergone any kind of surgery on your ears, then it really is best to allow your ears to fully heal before having a mould made. This allows your ears the time they need to return to their regular size and/or shape.

Creating the mould

The audiologist will first take a look at your ear, to check that your ear is healthy and that you don’t have an excessive build up of wax. The audiologist may also ask questions about your general heath – for example whether you have a head cold, which may prevent you from having your impressions taken on that day.

The audiologist will then place a small cotton or foam block in your ear, to act as a block and prevent the impression material from touching your eardrum.

The material used to make the impression is then placed in a syringe and then slowly injected into your ear canal. This is then left to set for about 5 minutes. Your audiologist may ask you to keep very still and not to speak, this makes sure that a proper seal is created, making the impression as accurate as possible.

It is essential that the barrier piece and impression material are placed past the second bend of your ear canal. By doing this, a very deep seal will be created and will result in the very best quality custom earplug.

The audiologist will remove the impression and will look down your ear again to check there is no impression material left behind. Depending on your hearing protection provider, either you or your audiologist, will need to send your impressions away to have your custom earplugs manufactured.

Typically, your earplugs will be with you within about 21 days, however this time can vary from company to company, and can also depend on where you got your impression taken.

The company may ask that you go back to the audiologist for a fitting session. At this session you will be taught how to use your new custom earplugs. While this is not hard to do, we have found that when our clients are educated on how to properly use their earplugs, they experience much more effective noise reduction.