Ear Plugs For Women With Narrow Ear Canal

[gerrym526]

Guys & Gals,

Need help finding ear plugs for my wife to wear at the range. She uses shooters muffs all the time, but would like to find ear plugs to wear under the muffs, so that if she takes off the muffs, her hearing is still protected.
Problem is finding ones that fit. She has very narrow ear canals, so any earplugs that work for me are way too big for her-they won't even go into the canal.
We've talked about custom fit plugs, but she doesn't shoot enough at this point to justify the cost. Just want something effective and affordable, and don't care if it's a disposable model.
Women shooters-do you have this issue, and what have you found as a solution?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Gerry

 

[rpenmanparker]

So are you saying that foam plugs that you roll down to a very narrow cone are too big for her. I assume you know that you are supposed to squeeze and roll them to a very small diameter. Those cheap foam plugs work better than almost any other method of hearing protection. It is common for them to deliver -31 decibels and even the best electronic muffs and plugs don’t promise better than that.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Buy a kit and make custom plugs for her. Radians brand are only about 15 bucks. I have a pair and like them.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

See if you can find Pura-fit brand ear plugs. They’re a lot better than the big orange ones and you can cut them in half if they’re still too large.

 

[wbbh]

It's not just women, some if us men have narrow ear canals to. One of my sons and I are examples. We like Gateway brand GloPlugs. Gateway Safety 92202 GloPlugz Polyurethane are sold on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Safety-92202-Polyurethane-Disposable/dp/B00FA4IIGE

They have a noise reduction rating of 31.

 

[Bwana John]

My custom fit cost $50, molded custom for me at the gunshow. One of the best $50 shooting accessory purchases I have made.

Here's the same company selling DYI kits that make 2 pair for $20.

https://www.earplugstore.com/ear-inc-custom-earplug-kit.html

 

[jmorris]

I got an assortment as well as custom molded plugs from an audiologist and my ENT. The best sound reduction was from the audiologist custom plugs (can’t hear a timer unless it’s held next to the plugged ear) the most comfortable with good sound reduction was the push-in from the assortment. So I bought a case of them at that point. I really like them because they are instant, no time delay for them to work like the expanding models.



In short there are many choices because we are all different.

 

[doubleh]

I have narrow ear canals and personally can't stand the foam plugs. My ears are killing me in a very short time when I try to use them. Guess I'm just a wimp.

I recently discovered something in reusable plastic earplugs, the ones on a string, that are small enough to be comfortable and are still effective. In Walmart where the eyedrops are in the pharmacy department are some earplugs made for airline travelers. For less than three dollars, about half of what you pay for one pair of the larger ones in sporting goods, you get two pair in a nice little plastic box. I tried them, they are excellent for me, and that's what I will use now.

 

[sparkyv]

My wife uses these under her ear muffs. They are smaller than the ones I use.

 

[Mn Fats]

So are you saying that foam plugs that you roll down to a very narrow cone are too big for her. I assume you know that you are supposed to squeeze and roll them to a very small diameter. Those cheap foam plugs work better than almost any other method of hearing protection. It is common for them to deliver -31 decibels and even the best electronic muffs and plugs don’t promise better than that.

I always have used the foam plugs. My 8 year old has used them for years. Never complains about noise or ringing. You can smash them to the size of a match stick. Is it when they expand they hurt her ears? My boy and I use ones similar to this. No problems.

 

[George P]

Your basic foam barrel-shaped plugs - the key is inserting them properly

 

[rpenmanparker]

I used a new foam plug the other day with a pair of electronic noise cancelling muffs over them. I can’t remember the foam plug brand. I’ll post it when I find it. But it was so effective that the amplifier in the muffs couldn’t penetrate it. The foam plugs were advertised st -31 decibels, and I believe it. Really solid. Stay tuned. It may take about 5 days for me to locate the brand, but I will post it.

 

[Nappers]

Howard Leight Earplugs for Women

I bought some at Sportsman Warehouse for my wife. If memory serves it comes with a little case.

 

[crestoncowboy]

At my work ear plugs are required all the time, 12 hour shifts. Of the 400 plus people probably half are women and almost all wear "Howard leight max-lite green earplugs". They have 10 or more earplugs to choose from but those are by far the most picked, by both men and women