Frequently asked questions

On average, otoplastics last for 5 years. Because the outer ear changes differently and at different rates for everyone, the individual lifespan can vary greatly from person to person.

That is why we recommend performing an annual leak test instead of replacing the otoplastics after a fixed number of years. This has two major advantages:

• Safety: You prevent someone from walking around with leaking earplugs for years (false sense of security).
• Cost savings: You only replace the otoplastics when they really no longer seal properly, and not unnecessarily early.

We provide custom-made hearing protection in six steps.

• Contact & assessment: You contact us. We will assess your specific requirements, the number of users and your preferences.
• Quotation: Based on this conversation, you will receive a suitable quotation.
• Planning: After you have agreed and completed the customer form, we will schedule an appointment with our product specialist in consultation with you.
• On-site measuring: Our specialist will visit you. He can measure approximately 10 people per hour.
• Production: The ear impressions are processed into otoplastics in our laboratory.
• Delivery with leak test: We will return within four weeks of the initial assessment to deliver the sets. We will provide instructions and perform a leak test to guarantee 100% safety.

The maintenance session will be completely useless without the users. The most important part of the maintenance is the leakproof test. During this test, the product specialist tests whether the otoplastics still blocks the ear canals adequately. In addition to this, the dialogue between the user and the product specialist is very important. Based on the experience, adjustments, such as the damping, can be made.

The product specialist delivers the otoplastics on site. Upon delivery, an instruction is given and the otoplastics are tested for leak-tightness. If the otoplastics show a leak, new ear impressions can be taken immediately. The user can also immediately indicate whether the otoplastics feel good or not. The specialist also supports the user in the exercise to insert the otoplastics properly. We therefore strongly recommend a presence of the users. Suppose someone is unexpectedly absent, we leave the otoplastics set up and test them during another appointment.

The choice between hard and soft otoplastics depends on the working environment, hygiene requirements and personal preference.

Hard otoplastics (acrylate): These are made from a hard, durable plastic.

• Superior hygiene: Due to their smooth surface, dirt, earwax and bacteria hardly adhere to them. They are very quick and easy to wipe clean. Due to their high cleanability, hard otoplastics are preferred in the food sector.
• Easy insertion: Because the material is smooth, they slide effortlessly into the ear. This is ideal for employees who frequently need to insert and remove their hearing protection (e.g. managers).
• Fit & movement: Because the material is rigid, it does not bend. If you talk or chew a lot, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable and a tiny gap can sometimes form, allowing sound to leak in.
• Durability: Hard ones are less prone to normal wear and tear, making them the most durable, but they can crack or break more easily if dropped on a hard concrete floor.

Soft otoplastics (silicone): These are made from flexible silicone material.

• Maximum comfort: The material is soft and flexible. This reduces the risk of pressure points or irritation in the ear canal, making them ideal for long shifts.
• Constant protection: Because silicone is flexible, it moves with the ear canal. Even when you talk, laugh or chew, the seal remains intact.
• Comfort and safety under the helmet: Soft material is more comfortable and safer for wearers of safety helmets. In the event of a blow to the head, the material gives way instead of passing the impact on to the ear.
• Slightly more difficult to use: Silicone has more friction: it does not slide over the skin. Insertion sometimes requires a twisting motion, and it can attract dust more quickly if touched with dirty hands.
• Slightly smaller occlusion effect: Because silicone is flexible and has a lower density than hard acrylic, it absorbs vibrations from the ear canal wall better. This often makes your own voice sound more natural and less muffled.
• Durability: Soft otoplastics wear out a bit faster and don't last as long. They also tend to discolour over time. But they're more shock-resistant and pretty much indestructible if dropped. They bounce instead of breaking.

In summary:

• Choose hard if hygiene is crucial (food), if the earplugs need to be inserted and removed very often, and if they need to last as long as possible (durability).
• Choose soft for maximum comfort during long days, when talking/moving a lot, or in heavy industry/construction where a helmet is worn.

The external anatomy of the ear changes in a unique way and speed with each person. This means that the otoplastics of one person already leaks after 2 years and of the other only after 8 years. For example, if a company decides to replace all otoplastics after 5 years, the first person will have walked around with leaking earplugs for 3 years with the associated harmful consequences. With the second person, the otoplastics are replaced unnecessarily and the company incurs unnecessary costs. It is therefore strongly recommended to test otoplastics for leak-tightness at least annually. In addition, during a maintenance appointment, a dialogue is created between the specialist and the user, and any problems can be addressed and resolved.

The otoplastics are delivered within 4 weeks after the time of measurement. Tympro takes care of the delivery itself, whereby the specialist gives personal instructions to the new user and performs a leak-tightness test on the otoplastics. The leak tightness test is only possible if the user is present, as the otoplastics are tested in the ears.

Strict rules apply in both the Netherlands and Belgium (based on European Directive 2003/10/EC). There is a simple rule of thumb: from 80 decibels, only the employer needs to take action, and from 85 decibels, the employee must also take action.

1. The threshold values

As soon as the average noise level over an 8-hour working day (LEX,8h) reaches 80 dB(A), or there are peak observations of 135 dB(C), the following obligations apply:

• Employer: Legally obliged to provide hearing protection (such as earplugs) to employees.
• Employee: Not required to wear protective gear, but it is strongly recommended.
• Prevention: The employer must provide information about the risks and offer employees the opportunity to undergo an audiometric examination (hearing test).

2. The action values

This is the critical point. If the daily dose (LEX,8h) averages 85 dB(A) or higher, or if there are peak noises of 137 dB(C), the following rules apply (in addition to the rules that already applied above).

• Mandatory wearing: Wearing hearing protection is now a legal requirement for employees.
• Enforcement: The employer is obliged to monitor usage (enforce). Simply “offering” is no longer sufficient.
• Marking: Workplaces where this limit is exceeded must be marked with pictograms and, where possible, cordoned off.
• Action plan: The employer must draw up an action plan to reduce noise at source (technical or organisational measures).

3. The absolute limit values

There is an absolute maximum average daily dose of 87 dB(A) or peak noise levels above or equal to 140 dB(C). The attenuating effect of hearing protection may be taken into account for these values.

• Rule: The average noise level in the ear (i.e. under the protector) must never exceed 87 dB(A). If this is exceeded, work must be stopped immediately so that measures can be taken to reduce exposure. The causes of the exposure must also be identified and measures adapted to prevent recurrence.

Applicable regulations:

• The Netherlands: Working Conditions Decree Chapter 6, Section 3 (Noise)
• Belgium: Codex on well-being at work, Book V, Title 2 (Noise)

When determining the damping values, first and foremost, the protective base is taken into account. This is determined based on the sound levels in the company. We base this on noise reports prepared in the past by us or by another party. If there are no measurements of this, we will make an estimate based on the industry and activities. Secondly, the avoidance of overprotection (too large attenuation value) is always taken into account, which in itself leads to higher acceptance of the hearing protection, which is of course beneficial for hearing health. The manageable attenuation values of otoplastics have an adjustment range between 20 dB and 35 dB.

The auditory canal has a self-cleaning mechanism whereby earwax is expelled naturally. In some people, this process regularly goes wrong and earwax continues to accumulate, causing a hardened cerumen plug.

A clogged ear is an important reason for not having a fitting. If the product specialist wishes to insert a cotton wool and inject mould paste into the ear canal, there is a risk that the hard and sometimes sharp cerumen plug will be pushed in even further and damage the eardrum. In addition, the ear impression will not be representative enough to make a good otoplastic from it.

If Tympro will visit soon to take ear impressions, it is advisable for people who regularly have cerumen plugs to visit their GP (just) before the appointment to remove the cerumen plug. Otherwise, there is a risk that the staff member and the product specialist will have to make a second fitting appointment with each other. So keep each other well informed about Tympro fitting times.