Custom earplugs are made from an impression taken of your ear canals. Here is a short explanation of the process which will take place once you have selected which earplug provider you wish to purchase from.
Before you attend the session
If you suffer (or have previously suffered) from ear wax build up, then it's worth making an appointment with your doctor or practice nurse to check on your ears and if necessary to get the wax removed, before you make an appointment with your audiologist.
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.
In a similar way, if you have recently had ear surgery, it's best to wait a while before getting your ear canal impressions to allow your ears to return to their regular shape.
The process
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.
Once this barrier piece is in place, the audiologist will use a syringe to fill your ear canal with the impression material. It usually takes around 5 minutes to set, and in this time you will probably be asked not to speak and to keep very still. This makes sure that the mould can create a perfect seal with your ear canal.
Another way of ensuring a good seal is by placing the foam or cotton barrier after the second bend of the ear canal. By doing this a perfect seal is formed deep inside the ear and therefore results in an extremely effective earplug.
Once the impression has set, your audiologist will remove the mould and the cotton or foam blocking piece. They will then inspect your ears for any material that may have been left. The next step is to send the completed impression off to the company who will manufacture your earplugs. Depending on the provider you use, this is either be done by your audiologist, or you may be responsible for it yourself.
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.
Before you attend the session
If you suffer (or have previously suffered) from ear wax build up, then it's worth making an appointment with your doctor or practice nurse to check on your ears and if necessary to get the wax removed, before you make an appointment with your audiologist.
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.
In a similar way, if you have recently had ear surgery, it's best to wait a while before getting your ear canal impressions to allow your ears to return to their regular shape.
The process
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.
Once this barrier piece is in place, the audiologist will use a syringe to fill your ear canal with the impression material. It usually takes around 5 minutes to set, and in this time you will probably be asked not to speak and to keep very still. This makes sure that the mould can create a perfect seal with your ear canal.
Another way of ensuring a good seal is by placing the foam or cotton barrier after the second bend of the ear canal. By doing this a perfect seal is formed deep inside the ear and therefore results in an extremely effective earplug.
Once the impression has set, your audiologist will remove the mould and the cotton or foam blocking piece. They will then inspect your ears for any material that may have been left. The next step is to send the completed impression off to the company who will manufacture your earplugs. Depending on the provider you use, this is either be done by your audiologist, or you may be responsible for it yourself.
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.
About the Author:
earPLUG are enthusiastic about helping you to lose the noise ... not your hearing. Visit our website to read more articles on custom earplugs.
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