1. When is it advisable to wear hearing protection?

(A.) In general, it can be said that being subjected to noise levels of 80 dB(A) or less for 8 hours a day is not harmful. You can recognise that the level is 80 dB(A) when you have to raise your voice to be understood by someone standing only half a metre away. The level is then at least 80 dB(A).

The safe exposure time halves with every 3 dB(A) increase. So it is only safe to be exposed to a noise level of 83 dB(A) for four hours and to a noise level of 86dB(A) for only 2 hours! If the noise level is even higher than that or the exposure time is to be longer it is certainly necessary to wear hearing protectors to avoid the risk of damaging your hearing.

2. Why choose custom-made hearing protection?

(A.) There are many personal protection products on the market aimed at increasing safety at work. And these include hearing protection products.

But not every hearing protector is equally effective. And by no means everyone likes wearing hearing protection. You can imagine the consequences. Custom-made hearing protectors have two major advantages over other forms of hearing protection. In the first place, they provide maximum protection against hearing loss because this hearing protector is designed exactly for the noise situation you work in. This is possible because of the broad range of noise filters for all circumstances. Secondly, the hearing protector is customised to fit the shape of your individual auditory canal; that is why it fits so perfectly. That makes it pleasant for you and it prevents sound from ‘leaking’.

Custom-made hearing protection enables you to continue communicating with others as normal and there is no need to worry about feeling pressure in your ears. In short: a custom-made hearing protector is the ideal solution for all noisy situations.

3. How long will it be before a pair of custom-made hearing protectors can be delivered?

(A.) The average delivery time is 10 working days after we receive the impressions.

4. What is the difference between a ‘hard’ and a ‘soft’ hearing protector?

(A.) Soft hearing protectors, made from silicone material, have only been on the market for a few years. They are comfortable to wear in the ear and adjust to the movements of the auditory canal, as the wearer talks, for example. This hearing protector therefore seals the ear better than a hard one.

Hard hearing protectors are made of acrylic. These are the oldest and most well-known form of custom-made hearing protectors and are very easy to place in the auditory canal. In many cases, a hard hearing protector is the best solution for people with a very narrow auditory canal. Or for people who work in the automobile industry, where it is forbidden to work with silicon.

5. How long do ELACIN hearing protectors last?

(A.) ELACIN hearing protectors last on average for four years. This lifespan does not depend on the quality of the hearing protectors, because that is monitored extremely carefully, but on the auditory canal. During our lives, the auditory canal continuously changes shape. This change can result in a hearing protector not fitting as snugly, not sealing properly and therefore making the attenuation insufficient. To ensure the best possible protection, it is therefore necessary to be measured for new hearing protectors every four years. The recommended replacement date is shown on the grey card with your customer details, which you will receive at the same time as your hearing protectors.

6. Are ELACIN hearing protectors tested?

(A.) All ELACIN hearing protectors are tested and certified and provided with the European CE identification mark.

A hearing protector is a product that is ‘legally’ covered by the ‘personal means of protection’ guideline. That means that this product must be extensively tested by a certified institute (TNO, for example). Only if it meets all the requirements will it be given the CE identification mark and accompanied by a detailed manual listing all its specifications. If a hearing protector does not carry the CE identification mark, the product has not been certified.

7. How much attenuation do ELACIN hearing protectors achieve?

(A.) The ELACIN product range offers a wide range of filters and filter types. You can see which type of filter is the most suitable for which hearing protector by looking at our list of products. Your supplier can also give you extensive information about this.

8. Is it true that the best filter is always the strongest one?

(A.) That is a misconception. Too much attenuation is just as irritating as too little. It cuts you off from the outside world and increases the risk of dangerous situations.

9. I am allergic to acrylic and silicone material. Is there another solution?

(A.) Both our soft and hard hearing protectors can be treated with a special anti-allergy lacquer. If this does not work, or not sufficiently, your ears are unfortunately unsuitable for hearing protectors.

10. I find it difficult to insert the hearing protectors. What can I do to make this easier?

(A.) When a hearing protector is new, it can be more difficult to insert into the auditory canal because it lacks flexibility. In that case, we advise applying a little Otoferm ear cream to the part that is to be worn in the auditory canal.

11. I’m experiencing pain. What now?

(A.) If your ears are painful, it’s best to go and see your supplier. He or she will send the hearing protectors back to us, generally accompanied by a new impression of your auditory canal. Our production department will look at the impression and decide whether an adjustment is needed. In some cases, we will supply a new hearing protector.