What are Hunter’s Earmolds?
Hunter’s earmolds are special earplugs that reduce damaging sounds while still allowing important, subtle sounds to enter your ears. They can be custom-made from individual molds of your ears, or you can purchase them as generic plugs. Hunter’s earmolds can help protect your hearing and improve your overall quality of life.
Guns are one of the biggest threats to your hearing. They can cause instant, permanent, and irreversible damage to your ears. Understandable, given the fact that a gunshot produces sounds at 120–160 decibels—louder than a jet engine.
Many hunters, police officers, sharpshooters, and military personnel avoid wearing basic earplugs because they block out both important, safe sounds as well as damaging sounds, simultaneously. Military and hunter’s molds solve this problem by distinguishing between good and bad sounds using advanced digital and mechanical technologies.
Earmolds for hunters, soldiers, and police officers can be customized for your ears or purchased in universal forms. Custom hunter’s molds offer the benefit of a tight, secure fit specific to your ears. Universal models are a less expensive alternative that still offers better protection than earmuffs, headphones, or fingers.
How Do Hunter’s Earmolds Work?
Hunter’s earmolds are designed to protect your hearing while still allowing you to hear important, low-level sounds. They use an acoustic filter to block out loud sounds, while amplifying those at lower decibel levels. This way, you can hear rustling twigs, quiet speech, and other important but subtle noises.
The earmolds also have a tiny valve opening that is designed to automatically close when hit with sound waves at damaging decibel levels. This valve means your hearing is protected even if you’re not the one shooting a firearm. This feature is highly useful for the police force, military members, and people shooting at a range with other gunmen.
If your work or hobbies bring you around firearms often, it’s vital to protect your ears and prevent substantial damage to your hearing. Give us a call to find out about our available models today.
What are Musicians Earplugs?
What Makes Musician’s Earmolds Different?
Musicians’ earplugs are made up of a diaphragm and earmold that work together to produce attenuation (reduction in sound) that is smooth and flat across the entire frequency range. Many feature interchangeable attenuators that provide multiple levels of sound reduction for different listening situations (e.g., private rehearsals vs. full-scale concerts).
They can be used in place of loudspeaker monitoring systems, which typically crowd the stage and increase noise levels significantly. Despite their name, these earplugs aren’t solely for the use of musicians; they also benefit concertgoers, all those who work in noisy environments, and people with hypersensitive hearing. Musicians’ earplugs can be used in other noisy environments such as airshows and sporting events.
What are Swim Earmolds?
Swim earmolds are a type of earplug specifically designed for use while swimming. They are made from waterproof silicone and create a seal that prevents water from entering the ear canal. Swim earmolds are customized to each individual’s ears to ensure a snug, comfortable fit.
Swim earmolds aren’t just for swimmers – they can be used for any type of water activity, including surfing, kayaking, canoeing, and more. Whether you’re a casual swimmer or an avid water sports enthusiast, swim earmolds can help you enjoy your time in the water while protecting your hearing. Custom swim molds are used for activities such as the following:
- Boating
- Jet skiing
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Rafting
- Paddle boarding
- Swimming
- Bathing and showering
- Attending waterparks
- Doing water aerobics
Swim molds provide protection from several serious ear-related illnesses, including ear infections and surfer’s ear.
Ear Infections from Water Exposure
Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) and surfer’s ear (exostosis) are common infections of the outer ear due to moisture. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear can include itching, swelling, and pain, as well as the elimination of a pus-like substance. Swimmer’s ear almost always requires treatment with antibiotics. However, the condition is not infectious between people. The most common cause of swimmer’s ear is infected water in swimming pools and other water areas. Swimmer’s ear is completely preventable with the use of well-fitting custom swim plugs.
Surfer’s ear is a similar infection, but it is caused by exposure to cold water and wind. The best way to prevent surfer’s ear is to wear a wetsuit or other protective gear while surfing. If you experience any symptoms of swimmer’s ear or surfer’s ear, call our office to schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist.