Hearing protection shields your ears from experiencing too much loud sound and is valuable in minimising your risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Although we often think of hearing protection as earmuffs worn around heavy machinery or on building sites – the truth is there are various types of hearing protection which can prevent accumulation of damage to our ears, caused by exposure to any type of loud sound.

Last week, HEARsmart released a independent review of filtered earplugs in a campaign called: What Plug? They worked on closely with Choice Magazine to review over 20 filtered earplugs, with a particular interest in those designed for listening to music. HEARsmart is our sister organisation that works to promote hearing health and prevent noise-induced tinnitus and hearing loss.

Filtered earplugs are a step up from foam earplugs and are much better for preserving the quality of the sound, while dropping the volume to a safer level. The HEARsmart team tested the earplugs across a range of different features both in the lab and the real world. During tests, it became very clear that earplug choice is personal – what suits one person won’t suit everyone, for example, ear canals come in different shapes and sizes, noise-reduction needs vary, some people want to stand out while others prefer to be discreet. What Plug? Is a searchable website that provides accurate, unbiased information about earplugs and their features from noise reduction and cost – through to appearance, sound quality, comfort and ease of conversation. Maybe it can help you choose your next pair of earplugs…

What Plug? Is a searchable website that provides accurate, unbiased information about earplugs and their features from noise reduction and cost – through to appearance, sound quality, comfort and ease of conversation. Maybe it can help you choose your next pair of earplugs…