Foam and rubber flanged earplugs are the
most commonly used type of hearing protection but there
are several problems associated with them.
|
1. |
They often
result in too much attenuation in the high frequencies
which causes speech to sound muffled, music to sound
distorted, or machinery to sound unclear. |
|
2. |
While wearing these
earplugs, they can also make the user’s own
voice sound hollow or make them feel as if they
are underwater or in a barrel. |
| 3. |
To try and hear speech,
music or machinery more clearly, users often wear
the conventional earplugs too loosely which results
in insufficient hearing protection or no protection
at all. |
| 4. |
Conventional earplugs
may be removed and reinserted several times a day
which can be unhygienic especially if working conditions
are dusty or greasy. |
| 5. |
Ear canals that are
too small cannot accommodate conventional earplugs
comfortably. For such people, the most common complaints
are that the earplugs slip out continually or that
it is painful to wear these earplugs. |
