How to Insert Hearing Protection

Disposable ear plugs are a first line of defense against hearing loss in noisy environments. This type of hearing protection is inserted into the ear canal and prevents loud noises from damaging the hearing. The plugs are not only used in loud workplace applications, but also in the garage, at the shooting range, when using loud machines in the yard, and any other application where you may be exposed to excessive noise.

Things You'll Need

• Disposable ear plugs

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Instructions

• 1

  Roll the ear plug back and forth between your thumb and forefinger so that it becomes a small, compressed cylinder. Generally, ear plugs compress to approximately 1/3 their original size.

• 2

  Carefully insert the compressed plug into your ear. However, do not force it in so far that it could damage your ear drum. Hold the ear plug in place for 20 to 30 seconds, allowing it to expand and close off the outside noise from your ear.

• 3

  Test your ear plugs before you enter a noisy environment. Place both hands over your ears and listen. There should not be any difference to the environmental noise if you have inserted the plugs correctly. If you can tell the difference, pull out the ear plugs and re-fit them into your ears. If you still detect a change, you may need to purchase a larger size, or different style.