The True Heart of Earproof

In a quest for creativity, protection and prevention and people who dare to follow their inner voices – we introduce to you Earproof.

Where it all began…

Together with the European Ministers, the Minister of the Netherlands Els Borst decided they needed to embrace the entertainment industry’s health and safety conditions. New rules, work hours, safety shoes and ear protection became discussion topics. At that time, the year 2003, the owner of Earproof Peter van Galen worked at Ampco & Flashlight. Each employer of the company received custom earplugs and Peter experienced this as rather unpleasant. From that point on, Peter couldn’t let go of his thoughts on ear protection. Where would we be without our ears, especially in the music industry. And how do we take care of our ears? Peter started to do some research. For about four months he searched for the right brand and products and in 2004, Earproof was born. The managing board of the company he worked for called him crazy, as ear protection was still kind of taboo. At that time no one was really aware of ear protection. Even not at the conservatory. Now, 15 years later you can buy any kind of ear protection, in many stores and online.

Photo by Ethan Tennier-Stuart

“I remember the day silence came to an end, waking up with a screaming noise in my left ear. It never left…”

After a few years, Peter suddenly heard a screaming noise in his ears. “I remember the day silence came to an end, waking up with a screaming noise in my left ear. It never left…” Peter felt responsible for raising awareness on tinnitus and providing ear protection. You’ll never get your hearing back and tinnitus can disturb your daily life. Our ears play an essential role in our sense of direction, balance and communication. But our ears are vulnerable, and we often forget this, Peter emphasizes. Nowadays, prevention to hearing damage is key!

Music has always been very important to Earproof. Thus, with music in the back of their head, they searched for the best quality products. Custom made or generic, the products are made of the finest materials possible and suitable for in-ear wear. They use TPI, a well-known material in de medical world. Earproof provides a solution to any kind of work in a loud environment. Earproof believes in an environmental aware policy. Therefore, they invest in eco-friendly packing and work hard to develop sustainable (no disposable) products that can be used in the long term. Earproof feels responsible for raising awareness on tinnitus and the surfer’s ears. People aren’t always aware of the consequences and risks of loud music and nowadays we are surrounded by noisiness. To provide as many people with high quality earplugs, Earproof focuses on great value for low prices.

“Tiësto at a private lounge, Henrik Schwarz during breakfast in the Hilton after NSJ, Richie Hawtin in Ibiza…”

Earproof has been working with many customers, music lovers, to musicians, DJ’s, festival- and club crews, as well as surfers and other employees in different fields of loud noises. In the past years, Earproof worked with international and national festivals such as Roskilde Festival, Boom Festival, Sonar Festival, Superbooth and Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam Open Air, Toffler, Valtifest, Lowlands, Rotterdam Rave. To name a few. Earproof has serviced many clients and festivals. The list is long, and they are proud to have worked with all of them. The most remarkable? “Kevin Saunderson at Peter’s kitchen table, Tiësto at a private jet lounge, Carl Cox on Dancevalley, Henrik Schwarz during breakfast in the Hilton after NSJ, Richie Hawtin in Ibiza with his friends during an enormous dinner, Joseph Capriatti during Sonar Barcelona”. Peter laughs, “I could go on for hours, all our customers have ears and we are privileged to help them.” If you want to know more about this, check out our wall of fame.

Earproof’s mission is saving ten million ears.

Earproof’s mission is saving ten million ears. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Let’s all make a difference together, assure ourselves with lifelong hearing and rock on!