An Audiologist's Review of Eargasm Earplugs

Why wear earplugs?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of product review, let's talk about why earplugs are a smart move. 

Aside from drowning out your neighbor's yapping pooch, these devices protect your ears from harmful noise levels. Think of noise just like sodium—a little is fine, but too much can do some serious damage. 

Noise can also disrupt good rest, and it’s common knowledge that deep rest is essential for everyone’s well-being. But noisy neighbors, bustling streets, and snoring partners can impact overall wellness. 

Lastly, if you self-describe as a sound-sensitive person, earplugs can help take the edge off and make sound more bearable. 

So, what can you do? Pop in a set of earplugs and say goodbye to sound sensitivity and restless nights. 

Whether it's due to ADHD, autism, or personal preference, earplugs got you covered.

What should I look for in good earplugs?

As an audiologist, earplugs are music to my ears!

So, what exactly should you look for in good earplugs? Start here:

• Comfort
• Fit
• Protection
• Sound quality
• Lifespan

When selecting earplugs, I look for comfort, sound quality, noise attenuation, and lifespan or maintenance. These are all essential components for maintaining overall wellness when using earplugs.

Fit includes the right fit for your ear size and shape, making them more comfortable to wear and providing the intended level of hearing protection. 

Some earplugs also muffle sound, making it challenging to hear. Poor sound quality makes earplug-wearing frustrating. Finally, care and maintenance are also essential to consider. 

First things first, here are some pre-test ponderings:

• Are the earplugs comfortable enough to wear for extended periods? 
• How long will the earplugs last?
• How can I maintain the earplugs to keep them in tip-top shape?

Earplugs are kind of like friends—they have to be good listeners and easy to be around. 

So when trying them out, ask yourself if they reduce noise and are user-friendly. And remember, you don't want to be wrestling with those little guys whenever you need them. 

Sound like a plan? Or should we say sound judgment? 😁

Unboxing, Testing, and Notes

I got my hands on a pair of high-fidelity Eargasm earplugs and they are small and made of soft, flexible, hypoallergenic silicon. 

And, I was impressed with the packaging. 

It's a sleek aluminum case that opens and closes with a twist to seal the cap tightly. I liked how secure the container felt once it closed (which is great for storing and traveling). 

However, the three-flange style earplugs do take some care to insert correctly. This earplug style creates a secure pressure seal to help keep them in place. 

To insert the Eargasm earplugs: 

• Pull the ear up and back to straighten out the ear canal
• Place the earplug in the ear canal 
• Gently twist it in until it feels snug and secure

It's important to be gentle here, as the pressure seal can become uncomfortable if done forcefully. 

To note: Removing them also requires so much care so as not to cause discomfort. 

How to remove Eargasm earplugs:

• Twist the earplug until it loosens carefully 
• Wait for the pressure releases
• Remove from the ear

The package includes two sizes: standard and small. The small was a better fit for my ear canals, so I needed to switch the filter to the smaller size. 

The filter is a blue-colored disc placed inside the silicone earpiece. Before inserting the earplug, check that the filter is fully under the lip that covers the filter's edges.

To change earplug sizes, remove the filter from the standard size and place it in the smaller silicone earplug. 

My left ear curves slightly more than the right, so I had to work harder to get it in place properly. These earplugs require a little more attention to proper insertion, but once the fit is right, they stay in place and are sweat-resistant. 

One of the coolest things about Eargasm earplugs? Their patented attenuation filter that doesn't muffle sound like other earplugs. I tested them out while listening to music at a high volume, watching TV, and having conversations—and they passed with flying (er, slightly muffled) colors. 

And thanks to their sweat-resistant design, these earplugs stay put no matter what you're up to. 

The verdict? These earplugs did a good job of reducing sound while preserving fidelity. While I could pick out conversation and enjoy music, there was still a slight "muffled" quality to the sound compared with other brands I've tried.

Overall, I found these earplugs comfortable, and their design helped them stay snuggly in place. 

Highlights

Looking for earplugs that won't play hide-and-seek? The blue filter makes them easy to spot in case you drop them. The soft, hypoallergenic silicone material is comfortable while still feeling breathable and moisture-resistant for a good fit.

Considerations

These earplugs will not be invisible; for anyone looking for the most discreet option, Eargasm may not be the top choice. 

Additionally, transparent silicone will discolor over time from earwax and oils in the ear. From the outside, only the blue filter is visible. However, it's important to note that the discoloration will not reduce their effectiveness.

Remember that if you're doing very loud activities (e.g., shooting at the gun range, working around jet aircraft, etc.), these earplugs will not be sufficient with an NRR of 16 dB. You'll need to add ear muffs or use other hearing protection in these situations.