Ear plugs when driving and other noisy activities

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by 1KW

Alberto, The problem with fixed ear plugs is you have a occluded feeling and you have trouble hearing people around you. They do not fit your perfectly and tend to be less comfortable and they tend to lead to cerumen impaction. You should have a pair of musicians plugs custom made for you, they are not that expensive . They are more comfortable as they are made from a impression of your ear canal, you do not feel as occluded as they have a diaphragm and give 10- 20 db of hearing attenuation. I would also recommend that you have a baseline hearing test. Take a road trip to Princeton and I'll take good care of you

Thanks for the good advice David - and I'll definitely come visit you if I am in the Princeton neighborhood.

I have had some pretty thorough hearing tests at the excellent Palo Alto Ear Institute and usually have my hearing checked twice a year - so far so good :-).

I also have a pair of fitted musicians plug ($300 or so), but I find the cheap ones I mentioned more comfortable - and less expensive if I lose them.

I am very lucky that I don't have much of a cerumen problem, but I can see how earplugs could cause some impacted ear wax for some people.

Alberto