ShieldWork

Noise is measured in decibels (dB) and the louder the environment, the greater level of protection you will need.

So, if you work/perform in a very noisy environment, we recommended choosing the filter with the highest dB reduction rate. If you're struggling to decide which one you need, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Attenuation in the context of hearing protection is the amount of decibel (dB) noise reduction a filter offers.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a unit of measurement used to determine the effectiveness of hearing protection devices to decrease (attenuate) sound exposure within a given working environment. Classified by their potential to reduce noise in decibels (dB), a term used to categorise the power or density of sound.

Hearing protectors must be tested and approved in the USA by the American National Standards (ANSI) and CE certified in Europe. Snugs GO Shield is rated at 26 dB NRR and is accredited to test to ANSI S3. 19-1974, ANSI S12.6-2016, ANSI S12.42-2010, EN352 parts 1-8 and AS/NZ S1270:2002 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).

The higher the NRR number in the USA (or SNR in Europe) associated with a hearing protector the greater the potential for noise reduction.

Yes, we have made Snugs for a number of customers with cauliflower ear, including former Team GB Judo player Bobby Rich.

Cauliflower ear is a condition that occurs when the ear sustains a significant amount of blunt force trauma or repeated injury, typically in contact sports like wrestling, boxing, or rugby. The trauma causes bleeding between the ear's cartilage and its overlying skin, leading to a collection of blood (hematoma) or fluid in the space. Without proper treatment, the blood or fluid can harden and form scar tissue, resulting in the ear's characteristic swollen, misshapen appearance, resembling that of a cauliflower.

If you have cauliflower ear, then we will require a professional fit, using your physical ear impressions, in order to make your Snugs. This ensures the moulds will fit the exact contours of your ears for a secure fit. If you have any doubts, please contact us to discuss your needs.

Unfortunately our SnugsGo AI fit method is not suitable for people with cauliflower ear

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.

Once we receive your ear impressions, our current production time is 15 to 20 working days.

If you have had Snugs made before, we will use your ear impressions on file and process your order straight away

The lanyard supplied with our hearing protection products is a 'pop-off' lanyard, so is removable

If you are not happy with the fit of your Snugs e.g. you would like a tighter fit for instance, we are able to make adjustments and remake them for you. This is included as part of the Snugs Fit Guarantee - just let us know within 30 days of receipt of your Snugs if you would like some changes to be made.

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.

We are able to change your order details, including colour choice and product, providing your Snugs are not in manufacturing (you will receive an email when your Snugs are being made). If you would like to amend you order once your Snugs are in manufacturing, this will incur a charge.

Yes, you can order for someone else. Please select that the order is for someone else and write their name in the box. Alternatively, you can order them a gift card

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

If you use your Snugs regularly, there will likely be a build-up of natural oils. If this is the case, you can then wash them in hand-hot soapy water (washing up liquid works best), and allow them to dry naturally. You can also wipe over the drivers with an alcoholic wipe to remove the natural oils. Do not use anything abrasive or containing petroleum when cleaning your Snugs as this may damage the silicone. You can view full cleaning instructions here.

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

In addition to your chosen Snugs product, you order includes:

• Comfort Balm (to apply to your Snugs for easier fitting)
• Fit Guarantee (if you are not happy with the fit of your Snugs, we will remake them within 30 days of receipt)

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.

Yes, we have made custom tips for children before. You will need to arrange for them to visit an Audiologist to have their ear impressions taken - please confirm with the Audiologist that they are able to take the ear impression for under 18's.

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.

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 are re-usable and will last for years. The one-off initial cost when spread over a year or more use can offer significant cost savings over using foam hearing protection earplugs, which are one use then dispose.

Then there is the Environmental Cost: On average, each employee will dispose of 1,000 foam earplugs to landfill, per year, making Snugs the eco-friendly alternative to foam earplugs.

When ordering from the EU, your order will be sent from the UK. Whilst it does not always occur, in the event that you are charged a customs fee, Snugs are not responsible for covering the charge.