Plugfones Safety

The most important thing to remember about Plugfones is plugfones safety and earbuds second. As such, the entire Plugfones line is tested and compliant with ANSI S3.19-1974 noise reduction standards and meets NIOSH criteria.When used as directed, our products are certified for Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) of 29 or 27 dB, depending on the plugs used. For environments with high noise levels, it may be necessary to use over-ear protection such as earmuffs in conjunction with Plugfones products. Plugfones have been independently tested by Michael & Associates, Inc., a third-party Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). According to U.S., E.U., and Australian standards, Michael & Associates, Inc. has rigorously tested our products.

What are Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) and Why Do They Matter?

An official Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a certification of the number of decibels a noise level can be reduced by the proper application of the device or item being tested. This rating is provided to choose a device that will help prevent hearing loss given their normal activities and usage.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) occupational noise exposure standard (29 CFR 1910.95), workers should wear personal protective equipment to prevent hearing loss when exposed to 85 dB or more over eight hours. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends the same, estimating that four million people work in hazardous noise levels every day. To help protect and educate workers, both organizations have various resources available, such as the OSHA Technical Manual on Noise and the NIOSH Guide to Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss.

To understand how Noise Reduction Ratings help you conserve your hearing, imagine you were standing next to a bulldozer with a noise level of 94 dB. When used correctly, Plugfones with an NRR of 26 dB can reduce the noise level from 94 dB to 84.5 dB, which falls below the potentially hazardous level. Learn more about calculating and using an NRR by referencing the OSHA Technical Manual on Noise, Appendix E.

Which NRR is Right For Me?

Every activity or workplace has a different noise level, but averages for certain types of activities can be referenced through an online list of noise databases provided by OSHA. Please see OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.95 standard for more information on selecting hearing protection.

Safety First

While it is fun to listen to music or audiobooks on your earplug-earbud hybrids, Plugfones does not condone or encourage the abuse of corporate safety rules or OSHA regulations. If your workplace does not permit the use of our hearing protection products, Plugfones is not responsible if you use our products to violate company policies.

We understand that most of our customers use their Plugfones in rough or hazardous work environments. While our products are made with the highest quality materials, they are not indestructible. While working, we recommend protecting your Plugfones by handling them with reasonable care and storing them in a clean area. For safety, consider threading cables through your clothing to prevent them from getting caught on objects.

How to Insert Earplugs Correctly

Roll

With clean, dry hands, roll the earplug between your thumb and forefinger until it compresses into a tight, crease-free cylinder.

Pull

Reach over your head with your opposite hand and pull your ear up and back to straighten the ear canal.

Insert

Gently insert the compressed foam earplug into your ear canal with a slight twisting motion while it's still compressed.

Hold

Hold in place for 10–15 seconds while the foam expands to fill the canal and create a seal.

Check the seal

The earplug should sit flush with or slightly inside the ear canal entrance — not protruding.

Warm

Roll the silicone putty between your fingers until soft and pliable.

Flatten

Shape into a small flat disc.

Press

Press gently over the ear canal opening to form a seal. Do not insert into the canal.

Remove

Peel away gently after use.

Hold

Hold the earplug by the stem with one hand.

Pull

Use your other hand to pull your ear up and back.

Insert

Insert narrow tip first into the ear canal with a gentle twisting motion. The stem remains outside the ear.

Adjust

Gently adjust depth for comfort and seal.

Remove

Pull out slowly by the stem with a slight twisting motion.

Good Fit vs Not a Good Fit

Good Fit

Sits flush with or slightly inside the ear canal
Noise is noticeably reduced
Feels snug but comfortable
Stays in place when you move
Can still hear important sounds

Not a Good Fit

Protrudes from the ear
Noise reduction is poor
Feels painful or causes pressure
Falls out easily
Causes itching or irritation

Frequently Asked Questions

Roll the earplug tightly, pull your earlobe up and back to straighten the ear canal, insert with a slight twisting motion, and hold for 10–15 seconds while the foam expands. A proper seal sits flush with the ear canal entrance — not protruding.

No — earplugs reduce noise but don't eliminate it entirely. The body absorbs sound through the skull as well as the ears, so complete silence isn't possible with passive earplugs. High NRR earplugs like Macks Snore Blockers (NRR 32) provide the highest practical level of passive noise reduction.

Foam earplugs insert into the ear canal and offer higher noise reduction ratings (NRR 29–33). Silicone earplugs mould over the ear canal opening — they're more comfortable for some people and fully waterproof, but typically offer lower noise reduction. For sleeping, foam is usually more effective; for swimming, silicone is the better choice.

Soft foam earplugs with a high NRR are the most effective for blocking snoring. Macks Snore Blockers (NRR 32) are our top recommendation. For a reusable option, Alpine Sleep Deep is designed specifically for maximum noise blocking during sleep.

Hold the earplug in place for at least 10–15 seconds. Letting go too early is the most common reason earplugs don't seal properly. The foam needs time to expand and fill the contours of your ear canal.

The most common causes are: not rolling tightly enough before insertion, not pulling the ear up and back, letting go before the foam fully expands, or using the wrong size. If you've corrected all of these and still have poor noise reduction, try a higher NRR earplug.

Earplugs should feel snug but not painful. If they fall out easily, they may be too small. If they cause pressure or pain, they may be too large. Standard earplugs suit most adults; smaller options like Macks Slim Fit or Macks Dreamgirl are designed for narrower ear canals.

Yes, when inserted correctly and replaced regularly. Foam earplugs are single-use — reusing them reduces effectiveness and hygiene. For nightly use, a reusable option like Alpine Sleep Deep is more practical and cost-effective.