We're All Ears for Your Questions
On this page, you'll find answers to most questions. If your question remains unanswered, please reach out to us using the contact form.
Shipping & Returns
Below are some common questions about shipping, returns, and exchanges
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is €4,50, with free shipping on orders over €49,50 (EU only). You can also pick up your order for free at our Rotterdam office in the Netherlands.
What is your return policy?
We offer a 12-day return policy for our earplugs. If the product is unused, unworn, and in its original packaging and condition, you are eligible for a full refund.
To start a return, please contact our customer service team within 12 days of receiving your purchase, and once confirmed, we will process your refund.
How soon will you ship my order?
We strive to ship your order as quickly as possible. If you place your order before 16:30 CET on a business day, it will typically be shipped the same day. Orders placed after this time or on weekends will be shipped the next business day.
Choosing the Right Earplug
We're here to help you find the perfect earplug for your specific needs.
Which earplugs do I need for restful nights of sleep?
When choosing earplugs for sleeping, consider comfort, effectiveness, and price. Foam earplugs can cause irritation, and wax earplugs may fall out easily, especially if you sleep on your side. For a comfortable and undisturbed night’s sleep, we offer two great options:
- Sleeper (Custom)
- Sleep Earplugs
If you prioritize a custom fit and premium features, go for the Sleeper. For an affordable and versatile option, the Sleep earplugs are ideal.
Why would I pick custom earplugs?
Our custom earplugs are expertly crafted to fit your unique ear shape, offering premium comfort, exceptional sound quality, and superior hearing protection. To ensure the perfect fit, we invite you to our office in Rotterdam for an in-person fitting. Book your appointment now by contacting us.
Fitting your Earplugs
Discover the optimal way to wear your earplugs for maximum hearing protection. Only a properly fitted earplug will provide the necessary protection.
Will the earplugs fit me?
We include all 4 sizes (S/M/L/XL) with every order, ensuring you find the right fit for your ears.
When you catch us at a festival, our team will determine your perfect fit. If the earplugs aren't perfect, we'll exchange them for a different size. Your comfort and hearing protection are our top priorities.
How do I put in my earplugs the right way?
First, make sure your hands and the earplugs are clean to avoid infections. Hold the earplug by its tab with your thumb and index finger. Then, pull your ear up and back. This makes it easier to put in the earplug. Use your other hand to do this, reaching over your head. Next, gently push and twist the earplug into your ear until it feels snug and sealed.
Remember to leave the tab sticking out a bit at the top of your ear so you can easily grab it when you need to take the earplugs out.
How do I check the fit and seal?
- Voice check: Talk out loud while wearing your earplugs. If your voice sounds muffled, like it’s coming from inside, your earplugs are correctly placed, providing the right level of sound reduction.
- Tap test: Lightly tap near your ear or on the tragus. A proper fit will produce a ‘bass drum’ effect. If the earplugs go too deep or stick out too far, adjust the size for comfort and effectiveness. The right fit is essential for comfort and optimal performance.
- Listening evaluation: With both earplugs in, listen carefully. Good earplugs should block external noise while maintaining a clear, attenuated sound. This indicates a proper seal and fit.
Comfort adjustments: If your earplugs feel slightly uncomfortable, adjust by twisting or gently pulling on your earlobe. Finding the right position is key. Both generic and custom earplugs can be effective, but testing different types is crucial to find what works best for you.
The Right dB Level for Your Earplugs
Depending on your needs, you can choose -10, -15, -20 dB or -25 dB noise reduction.
When do I choose -10 dB earplugs?
In situations where you want to reduce background noise without sacrificing audio quality, so when you're listening to acoustic music. These filters provide mild attenuation, making them perfect for activities where talking and listening are your main focus, such as dining in a noisy restaurant, attending theater or cinema performances, or working in environments with poor acoustics. They are especially suitable for people with sensitive hearing, musicians, vocalists, teachers, and professionals like dentists or flight attendants. While these filters reduce approximately 10dB of the original sound, they are not certified hearing protection, so they are best used for environments that do not require industrial-grade noise reduction.
When do I choose -15 dB earplugs?
Ideal for concerts and acoustic performances, our -15 dB Concert earplugs are designed to protect your hearing while maintaining sound clarity. These earplugs filter noise to a safe level without compromising music quality. Choosing PRO Platinum -15 dB provides an enhanced listening experience.
When do I choose -20 dB earplugs?
Perfect for clubs and festivals with big speakers and high-frequency levels, our -20 dB Dance earplugs offer robust protection against loud environments. The PRO Black -20 dB model delivers the clearest sound experience available, ensuring you enjoy the music while safeguarding your hearing.
When do I choose -25 dB earplugs?
If you work on stage or in production, you’re likely exposed to loud environments for many hours. Our -25 dB MAX earplugs provide the highest level of protection, making them ideal for prolonged exposure. They are also a great choice for those with sensitive ears. Choose the PRO Gold -25 dB version to enjoy all sound waves as clearly as usual.
Filters
The right earplug filter for you: choosing between noise block and membrane filters.
Which filter is good for music?
Membrane filters. They protect your ears from loud sounds but don’t distort the music. They ensure you can still enjoy the quality of the music while keeping your ears safe. Check out all of our music earplugs.
Which filter is best for sleeping?
Noise block filters. They're designed like a small pipe with a tapered hole, ideal for blocking loud noises. They are particularly effective in reducing noise at specific frequencies, making them great for situations like motorcycling or construction work.
The red ‘noise block’ filter from Earproof, found in custom earplugs such as the Sleeper, cuts down noise by 27 dB for high sounds, 25 dB for mid-range sounds, and 23 dB for low sounds.
Which filter works for a loud environment?
If you’re in a loud work environment or around high-volume, single-frequency sounds, noise block filters are ideal. They're designed like a small pipe with a tapered hole, ideal for blocking loud noises. They are particularly effective in reducing noise at specific frequencies, making them great for situations like motorcycling or construction work.
The red ‘noise block’ filter from Earproof, found in custom earplugs such as the Earproof Sleep, cuts down noise by 27 dB for high sounds, 25 dB for mid-range sounds, and 23 dB for low sounds.
Healthy Hearing
Common questions about protecting your hearing, coping with tinnitus, and taking care of your ears.
Why should I get earplugs?
5 reasons why you should protect your ears with earplugs:
- Prevent Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears that can make daily life challenging. Repeated exposure to loud noise increases the chances of this condition, and once it starts, it can be hard to manage. Using earplugs helps prevent this from happening in the first place. - Enjoy Better Sound Quality
Good earplugs don’t just protect your ears—they also improve how you hear music. They filter out harmful noise while keeping the sound clear and balanced, allowing you to enjoy music for longer without discomfort. - Affordable and Long-Lasting
High-quality earplugs are affordable and, with proper care, can last for years. This makes them a cost-effective way to safeguard your hearing. - Easy to Keep With You
Many earplugs come with a small keychain container, so you can attach them to your keys and always have them on hand. Whether you’re heading to a concert, a noisy workplace, or anywhere else with loud sounds, you’ll be ready. - Prevent Hearing Loss
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds without protection can lead to permanent hearing loss. Over time, this can make conversations harder to follow and cause you to speak louder without realizing it. Protecting your hearing now can help you avoid these issues later.
What happens if I don't protect my hearing?
Exposure to loud noises—whether it’s from concerts, festivals, or other loud environments—can cause temporary ringing in the ears. But the more often this happens, the higher your risk of permanent tinnitus or hearing damage. This can lead to ongoing stress, poor concentration, and even trouble sleeping.
Protecting your ears isn’t just about preventing hearing loss—it’s also about maintaining your overall well-being. Earplugs are a simple, effective way to protect your hearing and ensure you can enjoy life without worrying about noise-related issues.
How loud is too loud for my ears?
High decibel (dB) levels can be detrimental to your hearing health. It’s not just the dB level that matters, but also the duration of exposure to these sounds. Consistent exposure to high dB levels, even for short durations, can lead to permanent hearing damage. Understanding these thresholds is key to preventing hearing loss.
Safe zone: Up to 85 dB is generally safe for your ears.
Moderate exposure: At 85 dB, hearing damage can occur with continuous exposure of 30 hours per week.
Higher risk exposure: For sound levels at 90 dB, safe exposure drops to 2 hours without protection.
Critical levels: Sounds above 95 dB require immediate ear protection to prevent hearing damage.
Dangerous exposure: At 100 dB, unprotected exposure should not exceed 15 minutes. The risk increases with higher dB levels:
- 103 dB = Safe for up to 7 minutes 30 seconds
- 106 dB = Safe for up to 3 minutes 40 seconds
- 109 dB = Safe for up to 1 minutes 50 seconds
- 112 dB = Safe for up to 1 minutes
- 115 dB = Safe for up to 30 seconds
I've got tinnitus. How can I cope with it?
Tinnitus can be a challenging condition to navigate, here are 10 tips for dealing with tinnitus:
- Ear protection: Use high-quality earplugs to shield your ears from sudden loud noises.
- Avoid further damage: If you already experience ringing, prevent worsening by always carrying earplugs.
- Reduce stress: Stress can amplify tinnitus. Break this cycle by managing stress effectively.
- Relaxation: Accept your condition and try relaxation techniques or yoga.
- Enjoy music: Soft music or pleasant sounds can mask the tinnitus noise.
- Stay active: Engage in activities you enjoy to distract from tinnitus.
- Positive thinking: Replace negative thoughts with positive ones to cope better.
- Healthy diet: Opt for a diet low in salt and sugar and rich in potassium (fruits and vegetables).
- Quit smoking: Many have found relief in tinnitus symptoms after quitting smoking.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity reduces stress and boosts endorphins, helping with tinnitus management.
Every individual responds differently to these strategies. Experiment to find what works best for you.
For more information or to help someone with tinnitus, please contact us.
What’s the best way to care for my ears?
Maintaining ear health is as important as daily teeth brushing or applying sunscreen before stepping into the sun. A common mistake is using a cotton swab to remove earwax, which can actually push the wax deeper into the ear canal, potentially blocking your ear.
Compacted earwax can press against the eardrum, hindering its ability to vibrate and consequently reducing hearing capability. The recommended approach for ear cleaning is consulting an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. An ENT doctor can provide a safe and effective ear cleaning using specialized equipment like an ear microscope. This method is much safer compared to ear syringing, which some general practitioners still use, but can put excessive pressure on the eardrum and lead to damage.
For a temporary solution, you can gently remove excess earwax with your little finger. Remember, a small amount of earwax is beneficial; it acts as a natural barrier against water, bacteria, and external dirt and dust. Always consult a healthcare professional for proper ear care and seek a referral to an ENT specialist for the best and safest ear cleaning practices.
How can I protect my hearing?
When exposed to loud noises, it’s crucial to let your ears recover. Choose headphones over earbuds when listening to music on your smartphone. Headphones provide a better seal around your ears, reducing the need to play music at high volumes, unlike earbuds. Attending a concert? Ensure your hearing is protected with high-quality earplugs equipped with filters. They are essential for safely enjoying live music without risking hearing damage.
For those who want to be proactive, consider downloading a decibel (dB) level measuring app. This tool can help you monitor the sound levels in your environment, allowing you to take preventive action when necessary.
Have questions or need expert advice? Our hearing specialists are here to help, contact us.