Fitting Formable Fitting 

Plugs P

Size Matters To fit properly, a formable plug Remember, the plug must be rolled down should be inserted so that most of the plug fits tightly before you try to insert it into your ear into the ear canal. While many formable plugs canal. You shouldn’t try to push a formable are “one size fits most,” different sizes are plug into your ear if you have not rolled it available. If you can’t get at least half of the tight enough. plug into the ear canal, or if the plug can’t 

Correct 

expand enough to stay firmly seated, you need 

This plug completely 

a different size. seals the ear canal 

opening. 

1 Premolded plugs ma

ROLL the formable plug “one size fits most.” between your thumb and forefinger(s) to compress it
 Correct Incorrect the ear plug that fits into a small, smooth, round
 This plug needed 1 cylinder. REACH ove

to be rolled down
 more tightly.
 or back on th

straightens ou

REACH over top of your head and pull can go in far e

2 

up or back on the top of your ear. This straightens out your ear canal so the plugs can go in far enough. 

Ear Pull 

Good fit Poor fit 

INSERT pre

When you remove the plug, check to make sure there 2 straightened e

is a slight bend. (See the drawings above.) The bend means the earplug was inserted deeply enough to With a premolded p

INSERT tightly rolled plug into reach the bend in the ear canal. There should be “tug test.” To do thi

no creases in the earplug. the stem of the earp

straightened ear canal. feel pressure changes 

Although considered disposable, formable you have a good fit. 

HOLD the ear plug in place for a few plugs can be washed and used repeatedly. 3 4 break the seal. seconds after inserting to give it time to expand and seat itself in the ear canal. Premolded plugs are 

washed using mild socompletely dry befo

Credits: The graphics used to illustrate fitting ear plugs were provided, courtesy of Elliott Berger, Senior Scientist, Auditory Research E-A-R/Aearo Company. or using them in your 

irritate ear canals. 
Commo

Le

“I expected to lose my hearing....but I thought it would be quiet.”

If you are around noise at work, at home ordoing the things that you enjoy, you need toprotect your ears. If you don't, you can expectto develop permanent hearing loss. You may also

develop a permanent ringing, buzzing or

roaring in your ears known as Tinnitus.

They’re your ears

PROTECT THEM

For additional copies, questions, or comments related to this

brochure, e-mail farm.noise@cdc.gov

To receive other NIOSH documents or for more information about

occupational safety and health topics, contact:

1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh.

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to

NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews.

DHHS–(NIOSH) Publication No. 2007–176

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

TM

Exposure to noise abhearing loss and tinn

Gunshot

Firecrackers

Grain dryer

Chain saw

Rock band

Circular saw

Squealing pigs

Tractor, in shop (idling - 

Hand drill

Combine (full throttle - 10’ 

Table saw

Tractor, without cab

Combine (full throttle - in Tractor, enclosed cab

Normal conversation

0 25 50 

A "decibel" is the unit used 

Decibel levels for each item 

Hearing protection is available from manysources including on the internet and in homeimprovement and farm stores.

Remember, size matters! Not every earplug fitsevery ear. You may even need a different sizefor each ear. If you can’t get at least halfof the plug into the ear canal, or if it can’texpand enough to stay firmly seated, you needa different size.Earmuffs may work well for you. These areoften worn during hunting and shooting. Somehave a built-in radio as well as electroniccircuits to limit the noise. They allow you tolisten to your favorite sports or music.They are usually easy to fit and convenient toput on and take off. They can also make greatgifts. However, if you wear glasses, earringsor have facial hair, ear plugs may be a betterchoice to ensure proper fit and sound reduction.

Formable

Premolded

Buying Hearing

Protection

Earmuffs

Replace your ear plugs or the seals of yourear muffs when they look worn or feel different.

If you need to raise 

an arm’s length aw

loud enough to