Fitting Fitting E EA AR R Foam Foam

Fitting Fitting E EA AR R Foam

Foam Earplugs Earplugs TM TM

E. E. H. H. Berger Berger Division Division Scientist,

Scientist, Occupational Occupational Health Health & & Environmental Environmental Safety

Safety Division Division Fitting EAR Foam Earplugs

References: AIHA Noise Manual, Ch. 10, p. 398-412 EARLog #19 Tips & Tools for Fitting E-A-R Foam Earplugs Otoscopic Inspection Examine around ear and

in earcanal How to brace otoscope Proper pinna pull and direction to insert tip

Earlight is excellent alternative Need only examine to earplug depth

The Occlusion Effect as a Fitting Aid Listen to OE using finger Fit one ear and listen

Fit both ears and listen Works for earmuffs too

Occlusion Effect (dB) Boom beat 0.2 cm3

Occluded Volume 300 cm3

Rolling and Inserting Foam Earplugs Tight compression (EXTREMELY TIGHT!) and crease- and wrinkle-free Practice with Roll Model

Instructor fits off-hand ear Guide direction of pinna pull Student fits other ear

Checking the Fit of Foam Earplugs Occlusion effect - present, but not too much Position relative to tragus Remove and read plugs

Crummy earmuff test Considerations re Deep Fitting Give the plug a chance to expand - it gets more

comfortable as it expands and shortens Alternative options to facilitate removal of overly

deep fittings >Golf tee >Longer plug >Corded plugs >Tweezers

Three Advantages of a Better Fit More and flatter attenuation (listen in noise) Less occlusion effect (provide demonstration) Better comfort Less OE

More OE Use of an Eargage to Size Canals Approximate sizing Provides indicator for

beginner Useful for 2-sized foam earplugs