Welcome to Snugs

Snugs are made from medical-grade silicone, which is a more sustainable material than foam ear plugs for several reasons:

• Silicone is made from a renewable resource, silica, while foam ear plugs are made from petroleum-based materials.
• Silicone is non-toxic and hypoallergenic
• Silicone does not produce harmful emissions during manufacturing, while foam ear plugs do.
• Silicone ear plugs can be reused thousands of times, while foam ear plugs are single- use.
  

Furthermore, medical grade silicone earplugs can be reused thousands of times, reducing their environmental impact. Snugs Hearing Protection's use of medical grade silicone ear plugs aligns with its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness.

A Study conducted by a team of researchers at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and was published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology in 20201. The researchers analysed the environmental impact of three types of earplugs: foam, wax and silicone, over their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal.

They found that silicone earplugs had the lowest environmental impact of the three types of earplugs, and that the use of reusable silicone earplugs could reduce waste by up to 90% compared to disposable foam or wax earplugs. This is because silicone earplugs can be washed and reused multiple times, whereas foam and wax earplugs are typically used once and then discarded.

The study also found that the production of silicone earplugs has a lower environmental impact than the production of foam or wax earplugs, and that the transportation and disposal of silicone earplugs also have a lower environmental impact.

Overall, the study suggests that the use of reusable silicone earplugs can significantly reduce waste and environmental impact, making them a more sustainable option for ear protection.

Ref #1: Study - "Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Earplugs: A Comparative Study of Foam, Wax, and Silicone Earplugs" and the reference number is DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12998

Snugs feature a unique venturi shaped attenuated filter embedded into the plug. This enables the wearer to clearly hear conversations while reducing harmful sounds. The filter allows air to constantly flow into the ear; this ventilation minimises the sound occlusion effect and avoids irritation within the ear canal. Foam plugs on the other hand do not ventilate the ear canal and conversational sounds are acoustically muffled and un-clear.

Foam earplugs can be a breeding ground for bacteria, thanks to the combination of moisture, warmth and dirt in the ear. Re-using dirty earplugs can lead to serious ear infections, meaning that it’s good practice to throw them away after a single use. Employees should always be reminded that they are single use only, even though this is written on the packaging for liability reasons.

Some people will wash their earplugs in soapy water, however this is no guarantee of removing the bacteria and can also lead to degradation of the material. If the plugs harden, or do not return to their original shape when squeezed, then they will no longer be effective at blocking out sounds and will need to be thrown away anyway.

So, the financial cost of foam plugs can soon add up, when used correctly as single-use consumables (akin to a syringe), and that’s before considering the environmental costs of using disposable plugs.

Regular users can have all the advantages of Snugs Custom Fit Earplugs, which can pay for themselves in a matter of months and present a clear environmentally friendly option.

Snugs are made from medical-grade silicone, are hypoallergenic, non-flammable and are recyclable. Of great importance is the fact the Snugs Earplugs are re-usable for years and years. Snugs can be wiped down between uses to keep them in tip-top condition.

Snugs PPE products are made from medical grade silicone, the sustainable material used to make Snugs is derived from silica, a naturally occurring mineral. The global silica market size was valued at USD 12.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2021 to 2028.

In contrast, single use foam ear plugs are made from petroleum-based materials, which are non-biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Additionally, the production of foam ear plugs generates harmful emissions that contribute to climate change. The global greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing sector were estimated to be 14.5 billion metric tons in 2020.

Snugs Custom-Fit earplugs present a more sustainable alternative to foam ear plugs. Medical grade silicone is a renewable resource and is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin. Moreover, medical grade silicone earplugs do not produce harmful emissions, and they can be reused thousands of times, reducing their environmental footprint.

In conclusion, medical grade silicone is a more sustainable material than foam ear plugs. Medical grade silicone is made from a renewable resource, it is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, and it does not produce harmful emissions.

Exposure to loud noises can permanently damage your ears. The louder the noise, for greater lengths of time, the greater the risk of hearing damage.

1 in 8 people suffer from Tinnitus as a result of exposure to loud noise [Tinnitus Association].

Snugs custom fit earplugs provides the best acoustic seal and maximum sound blockage, thus allowing for longer, safer exposure time to loud noises. With a range of filters available, you can ensure you have ear protection best suited to your environment

You only need to visit an Audiologist once to have your ear impressions taken. Once we have your impressions, we will scan them to create a 3D file which can be used to make as many pairs of custom fit Snugs as you want.

All Snugs are 3D printed and made from hypoallergenic medical-grade silicone which will sit comfortably in your ear

Snugs are custom fit to both your ears and the earphone driver, to ensure a secure fit on the driver and allow for all sensors to function, if applicable. As earphone drivers have unique designs and shapes, you are not able to use your Snugs with multiple different earphones.

However, some earphones and IEMs share the same driver design such as the Shure range; please contact us for more information on these models.

Snugs are custom-fitted to match the unique shape and size of your ears and as such our returns policy may differ from that commonly offered with non-custom fit products.

We offer a 30-day remake policy, where we will adjust the size and remake your Snugs tips, so they fit better. In most cases, this works out great for our customers. However, if you’re still not satisfied, then we’ll be happy to offer you a refund or gift card.