Earplugs: types, how to choose, and when a custom earplug is worth it

1. We come to you: at home or at work.
2. We take an impression: of the ear, during the visit.
3. We send it by post: the earplugs are posted to you.

What types of earplugs are there?

Detailed comparison: Foam or custom earplugs · Ready-made or custom earplug?

Which earplug suits each use?

Earplugs for sleep

Foam, silicone or made to measure, sleeping on your side and a partner's snoring. A full guide before choosing. To the page

Custom sleep earplugs

A night earplug made from an impression of the ear, for repeated use, for people whose ready-made earplugs come out or press. To the page

Earplugs for swimming

Pool and sea, how to insert them, drying and cleaning, and when to see a doctor. To the page

Custom swim earplugs

An earplug made to measure for swimming and bathing, for people who swim regularly. To the page

Earplugs for noise

For noisy settings: work, events and travel. An earplug made from an impression of the ear, for the main use you describe. To the page

Earplugs for musicians, DJs and events

For players, DJs, sound engineers and event crews. Including the difference between an earplug and an in-ear monitor. To the page

Earplugs for parties and concerts

An earplug with an acoustic filter, which lowers the music without muffling it. Ready-made or custom. To the page

Ear impressions for IEMs

For musicians who order a custom in-ear monitor from abroad. To the page (in Hebrew)

Earplugs for complete quiet?

What an earplug can and cannot do, and what affects quiet the most. To the page

Earplugs for flights and travel

Flights, trains and long journeys, and an earplug that stays in your bag. To the page

Earplugs for focus

Open-plan offices, studying and working from home. To the page

Earmoulds for hearing aids

For hearing aid users who want to look into an earmould made from an impression of the ear. To the page

Earplugs for shooting ranges

Custom earplugs for people who shoot at a range. To the page

What about earplugs for work?

Businesses, contractors and organisations looking for earplugs for their employees have a separate track. The type of protection required at each workstation is decided by the professionals in the organisation. We come to the workplace, take an impression for each employee, and the earplugs are sent by post.

Earplugs for businesses and employees · Factories and industry · Construction and infrastructure · Workshops and garages · Gardening and farming · Dental clinics · Event halls and events · Impression day at the workplace

How do you choose earplugs?

1. For what use? Sleep, swimming, noise, music or work. Each use has different requirements.
2. For how long and how often? For occasional use a ready-made earplug may be enough. For regular use it is worth looking into an earplug made to measure.
3. What do you need to hear at the same time? An alarm clock, people, a band or signals. Tell us, because we do not promise what you will hear with the earplug. For music, RNID describes earplugs with a filter that lower the loudness without muffling the sound.
4. What do you expect to hear? An earplug reduces noise, but does not make it disappear completely. Earplugs for complete quiet: what to expect
5. What bothered you about previous earplugs? An earplug that moves, falls out, presses or itches.

When is it worth choosing a custom earplug?

• You use an earplug almost every day or every night.
• Ready-made earplugs come out of your ears, move or press.
• You sleep on your side, or need an earplug that sits inside the ear.
• You prefer one earplug for repeated use, kept in a case, rather than buying again and again.

We make all types of custom earplugs. We come to your home or workplace, take an impression, and the earplugs are sent to you by post. All the details: Custom earplugs · About taking an impression · What to prepare before the visit

How to use earplugs without harming the ear

• Clean hands before inserting and removing. CDC/NIOSH recommend this too in their instructions for inserting foam earplugs.
• Do not clean the ear with cotton buds or your finger (NHS).
• According to the NHS, irritation of the ear canal can also be caused by water or by using earplugs. Keep the earplug clean, and do not pass it to another person.
• If there is pain, discharge, itching that does not pass or a sudden change in hearing, stop using it and see a doctor (NHS).

NIDCD recommends using earplugs or other protective devices during noisy activities, and moving away from the noise when it cannot be reduced.

More: Care and hygiene of a custom earplug · What to do if the earplug is uncomfortable

More questions: Earplugs FAQ · Articles and guides about earplugs

Sources

The health information on this page is based on the following sources (checked on 03.11.2026). It is general information and does not replace an examination by a doctor.

• NHS — Ear infections (including otitis externa)
• NHS — Earwax build-up
• NHS — Hearing loss
• CDC/NIOSH — How to Wear Soft Foam Earplugs (Roll-Pull-Hold)
• NIDCD (NIH) — Noise-induced hearing loss
• RNID — How to protect your hearing at music festivals

English version: 4 November 2026 · Written by the G-Sound editorial team. The information is general; the type of earplug and its use are decided case by case in conversation.

More in English

Custom earplugsCustom noise earplugsCustom sleep earplugsEarplugs FAQContact G-Sound