- Who Invented Ear Plugs?
- Earplugs - when can they come in handy?
- Types of ear plugs
- How do I adjust the size of the earplugs?
- How do I take care of earplugs?
Earplugs were already used by Odysseus, but they settled in our reality only in the 20th century. In many situations, earplugs are invaluable - they allow you to sleep well at night and work in conditions that are not conducive to concentration, they also work well when swimming or traveling. What are the types of earplugs, which ones to choose, how to use them and how often to change them?
Who Invented Ear Plugs?
Earplugs were known already in antiquity, when - like the Homeric Odysseus - those who wanted to protect their ears from intrusive sounds blocked them with beeswax. In more recent times, people tried to protect themselves from noise in various ways - by creating the so-called "Antiphons" made of metal, wood, and then rubber, felt, or fabric soaked in paraffin.
These plugs, which we use today, are owed to the Silesian Maximilian Negwer, who, inspired by the Odyssey, produced the first widely available earplugs. They were made of wax and appeared on the market in 1908.
You could buy them in pharmacies and department stores, and a package containing six pairs of plugs cost one golden mark (approximately PLN 25). This product was widely used by soldiers during World War I as protection against the harmful noise of shots.
Earplugs - when can they come in handy?
Currently, we reach for earplugs in many different situations, but the reason for using them is always the same - it is a need to protect against excessive noise, which makes it difficult to function. Many people use earplugs at night, especially when their partner is snoring or when noises from outside the window or wall keep you sleeping.
Some people use earplugs for swimming, thus protecting the ear canal from chlorinated pool water, others use them when flying by plane or motorcycling. Earplugs are also a frequent accessory of professional musicians.
It is worth knowing, however, that while the idea is always the same, the sameearplugs may differ depending on the purpose , especially how effectively haveprotect the ear canal and suppress sounds.
Howeverno earplugs will completely block the conduction of sound- the sounds from the environment reach us not only through the ear canal, but also through sound vibrations received by the bones of the skull (the so-called bone conduction).
Types of ear plugs
Earplugs are divided depending on the material they are made of, as well as for whom and for what purposes they are to be used. The sale includes both disposable models (such as earplugs made of foam or wax) and reusable plugs - made of silicone, which can be washed after each use.
The most common are plugs made of:
- wax with the addition of paraffin, cotton and petroleum jelly - after warming up in the hands, they become flexible and can be freely formed, giving them the desired shape and size.
- polyurethane foam (pre-formed in the shape of the letter T), which when removed from the package, expands to fit the ear canal of the user.
- soft silicone (molded)
- thermoelastic silicone (they can be freely formed)
Earplugs can be bought without any problems at any pharmacy and online stores. In stationary pharmacies, the choice is usually limited to models made of foam or wax, which can be formed into any shape. A much larger selection can be found in online stores, where you can choose earplugs depending on the purpose for which you want to use them.
Which earplugs should I choose?Disposable earplugs will work well when we use them sporadically. Reusable ones are worth reaching for when noise protection is needed on a daily basis - we want to sleep better, focus easier, or protect our hearing, e.g. while riding a motorcycle.
In such a situation, it is best to follow the intended use of the plugs, as they differ in size, way of workmanship or functions, and some of them are professional products that provide specific benefits to specific users.
The most popular types of ear plugs:
- sleeping earplugs- usually made of silicone and molded to a shape similar to in-ear headphones. Reusable earplugs of this type are equipped with a vent and a filter system, which prevents sweating inside the ear canal and excessive production of earwax - the ears do not get clogged with earwax at night.
- swimming earplugs- they have a characteristic, triangular shape of a "tree", whichprevents water from getting into the ear while swimming in the pool, but also suppresses pool noise. They are recommended, among others people who are prone to otitis or just want to protect their ears from water.
- airplane earplugs- they are usually made of soft silicone, and the cone shape with elongated sides allows to reduce the pressure in the ears felt during take-off and landing, as well as eliminate the accompanying feeling of stuffy ears. They also work well during intercontinental or night flights, because like all earplugs, they reduce noise from the environment.
- silencing pads to help focus . They reduce background noise by 25 decibels, which allows you to concentrate and at the same time hear louder sounds, such as a ringing phone. This type of earplug usually comes in a variety of sizes (S, M and L) to suit the size of the ear canal.
- earplugs for musicians.They are equipped with special filters to selectively absorb sounds - their manufacturers ensure that this type of earplug protects the ears against excessive noise, while maintaining excellent quality of music . They can also be used by people who like to go to concerts, but are disturbed by excessive noise.
- motorcycle earplugs . Designed for people riding a motorbike - they reduce wind noise (the volume of which reaches up to 98 decibels) and allow to eliminate fatigue caused by it. They protect the hearing, and at the same time do not block other sounds from the environment, such as motor sounds, and do not provide a feeling of isolation.
How do I adjust the size of the earplugs?
The choice of earplugs does not seem complicated, but it is worth remembering that in addition to their type, you should also pay attention to their size. While disposable earplugs can be individually adjusted to the ear canal, reusable earplugs are usually not thermoformable, but come in several sizes (S, M, L).
It is important - the ear canal has different sizes for every person, and badly fitted plugs simply will not fulfill their role: too wide will cause discomfort and poorly suppress noise, too narrow ones will be leaky and will also allow sound to pass through.
How do I take care of earplugs?
In order for the earplugs to fulfill their role well and serve as long as possible, they should be properly cared for. As the name suggests, disposable earplugs must be thrown away after one use. Reusable earplugs must be cleaned in the manner specified by the manufacturer - the method of cleaning them depends on the type of material usedhave been executed.
Usually it is enough to wash them after each use with lukewarm soapy water or a dedicated cleaning liquid and gently dry them, and when not in use, they should be stored in the case that came with the kit when purchased.