Otoplastic: Custom-fitted hearing protection from uvex

uvex offers maximum service with maximum flexibility. Our extensive uvex otoplastics collection offers suitable hearing protection otoplastics for every employee.

Otoplastics are a form of tailor-made hearing protection. To create customised otoplastics, our experts take impressions of the ear canals of your employees. In contrast to standard hearing protection, hearing protection otoplastics are individually tailored to the wearer's ears. This helps to avoid any pain caused by pressure or the sensation of a foreign body in the ear, even when worn for a longer period of time. Ear canal impressions can be taken at all participating acoustic hearing aid clinics or can be carried out by a uvex field service employee.

This custom-fitted hearing protection for occupational safety is available in a variety of filter strengths. The filter strength, also called the SNR value, provides information about the insulating effect of the hearing protection otoplastics, helping you to pick the right level of protection for your noise conditions. The filter action of the otoplastics ensures that the wearer is still able to hear speech and warning signals clearly and is not isolated from their environment, despite wearing hearing protection.

Why do you need hearing protection otoplastics?

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common work-related health conditions. It is irreversible and occurs gradually and imperceptibly in the area of the inner ear known as the cochlea. Comfortable and high-quality hearing protection is therefore very important for the occupational safety of your employees, particularly those needing to wear it for long periods of time. Opting for comfortable hearing protection is the best way to ensure that your employees will want to wear it.

Hearing protection otoplastics are used in environments where the noise levels reach 80 decibels or higher. This includes sectors such as:

• Industry
• Manual processing work
• Road construction works
• Metalworking
• Logistics
• Airports and ports
• And many more

uvex otoplastics comply with the EN 352 standard

uvex otoplastics meet all the necessary standards required by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment (PPE) and have been approved for use in very noisy environments.

More information about the hearing protection standards set out by DIN EN 352 can be found in our "Standards and directives" page.

Otoplastic shapes — available at uvex

uvex individual hearing protection is available in a variety of different materials:

• Silicone
• Acrylic
• Thermoplastic materials

The otoplastics fill either the entirety of the outer ear (full-concha, FC) or half of the outer ear (half-concha, HC). All of the products in our range are specially adapted to the shape of the end user's ear. Hearing protection otoplastics are available in a range of different filter strengths, making them ideal for a variety of noisy environments (dB). The individual earmoulds can therefore be adapted to suit the requirements of a variety of professional groups.

 

Otoplastics for the paint-processing industry

The uvex high-fit temp flex and uvex high-fit duro otoplastics are 100% silicone-free and are therefore ideal for the paint-processing industry. They are soft, easy to handle and grip, and are straightforward to clean.

uvex high-fit temp flex
uvex high-fit duro RS 20
uvex high-fit duro RS 26

 

Custom-fitted hearing protection in areas with communication requirements

The uvex high-fit duro RS and uvex high-fit flex RS hearing protection systems feature a linear filter action and insulating effect that ensures good speech comprehension while also protecting the wearer's hearing. In addition, they can be combined with the special uvex C-com and B-com headsets, which have been specially designed to work with the RS otoplastics to enable communication and telephony in very noisy environments. This is particularly valuable for those who need to make frequent phone calls and communicate in very noisy environments.

uvex high-fit duro RS 20
uvex high-fit flex RS
uvex C-com Otoplastik Headset
uvex B-com Otoplastik Headset

 

Hearing protection otoplastics in the food industry

The uvex high-fit flex detec and uvex high-fit duro detec hearing protection systems are ideal for the food industry. The detec otoplastics feature a metal ball bearing a blue rubber strap, making them easy to spot and harder to misplace. These ear canal otoplastics only fill a small part of the outer ear. This helps to avoid the ear becoming irritated by dust or sweat. In addition, a capillary hole prevents pressure or a feeling of isolation from building up in the ear canal. Unlikethe uvex high-fit flex detec system, which is made of a silicone material, the high-fit duro detec hearing protection system is made of a duroplast material. They are available in different filter strengths.

uvex high-fit flex detec
uvex high-fit duro detec

 

Individual hearing protection for people with hearing impairments and areas subject to impulse noise

uvex high-fit duro active is an electronic, active hearing protection system with a fully digital high-tech amplifier. The finely tuned and highly sensitive microphones provide excellent directional acoustics and optimal ambient acoustics. The combination of customised hearing protection otoplastics together with finely controlled amplifier technology ensures the highest possible level of hearing protection. This means that the uvex high-fit duro active can confidently be used up to an exposure level of 112 dB. It can be individually adjusted to suit the wearer's hearing and is therefore ideal for hearing aid users.

uvex high-fit duro active

 

Ergonomic otoplastics

The new design of the uvex high-fit u-cut offers improved wearer comfort as the otoplastic components are softer, lighter and more comfortable. The ergonomic shape compensates for jaw movements, ensuring that the hearing protection fits perfectly into the ear canal. It also allows for better sound perception.

uvex high-fit u-cut HC
uvex high-fit u-cut FC

What are the advantages of individual, custom-fitted hearing protection otoplastics over standard hearing protection?

Advantages of otoplastics

1. Tailored to fit the shape of the wearer's ear canal
2. Equipped with the right filter and material for the application
3. More sustainable
4. More hygienic
5. Maximum comfort and optimal protection thanks to the perfect fit
6. Regular function tests
7. Wearing time: five years; saves on costs in the long term

Disadvantages of standard hearing protection

1. Not manufactured individually
2. Pressure can cause pain in the outer ear and ear canal
3. Inserting the hearing protection to a sufficient depth requires practice and a tolerance for pain
4. Wearing time: 0.5 days to 6 months (depending on the product)

How to care for your individual hearing protection

If the filters are dirty or deposits or blockages have formed, this will result in a reduction in the sound quality and the insulating effect of the otoplastics. We recommend cleaning the inserts after each use. To do this, ensure that the filter system is kept closed and rub the surface clean using the uvex clear cleaning cloth for otoplastics. It is essential to avoid the use of sharp objects, brushes or aggressive cleaning agents and solvents. The systems must not be subjected to extreme temperatures. If necessary, have your hearing protection products professionally cleaned, for example by an audiologist.

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational illnesses, usually developing slowly and painlessly. Noise does not just affect our hearing — it also has a negative effect on the human body as a whole. With its wide range of hearing protection otoplastics, uvex offers protection with maximum comfort and quality.

Get in touch with our experienced specialists by phone on +49 (0) 911 9736-1433 or by email at high-fit@uvex.de and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. To help you get back to work as quickly as possible, we can carry out product consultations and otoplastic mould adjustments at your premises. Appointments can be made using our contact form. Our acoustic service partners will take care of function testing and cleaning for your products.