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.

If the employees are exposed to an average level of 85 decibels or higher for 8 hours or if peak noises are present that exceed 137 dB(C), the exposed employees are obliged to wear hearing protection.

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.