How do you fit custom made ear plugs?

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

My custom made plugs arrived today and though they work, I like them and they're the ones I wanted, they are proving to be a pain to get in.

I ordered some silicone plugs because I thought that softer and flexible would be better than a harder material, but without warming and lubricating them first I'm really struggling to fit them.

So to those who do use them I ask, how do you get on with them?
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tafflade · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

A bit of practice.

I used to pull my ear lobe down and out slightly with one hand and pop the plug in with the other then use a finger to pop the top part in for comfort.

Now I just push them in, I have had mine for about 5 or 6 years though. Maybe I'm due a new pair.

I've worn mine for everything from the firing range to travelling in helicopters to long haul flights and even riding motorcycles, I do like the look of the soft ones in your link. Thumbs Up

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

I had some made by Green Leopard and found them uncomfortable to put in and once they were in they hurt after a while . . . . . So they were binned and I went back to my trusty Ear-Soft type.
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LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

I did have my doubts that the silicone ones were the way to go, as obviously trying to insert a flaccid one is harder than trying to insert a turgid one (ooh err missus) but I didn't think they'd be this hard.

I will persevere though and not just on the basis of cost, as unfortunately the EarSoft-FX that I used to use started to give me a rash in my ear that caused the ear canal to bleed. Thumbs Down

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Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

dodger · Traffic Copper Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

When I first received mine from Ultimate I had to send them back to be re-made as the ear canal was too big. It may be that yours also need re-working.

As for getting them in, I push the long section that goes into your canal in first [at a slight angle] and then rotate the plug clockwise [until it is in a vertical position].

I don't have any problems with fit, comfort or having to warm the plug up. If you continue having problems fitting them I would suggest you plugs need altering... Thumbs Up

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Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

For right ear hold plug in right hand , with left hand pull ear from over your head and pull back the top of your ear, then with right had wind the plug in a slight spiral following the rouite of your ear canal, do the same with the other ear. I find pulling the outer ear back helps. I'm on my second pair, had my first pair for about 4 years and would still have them if it wasn't for a 4 legged mutt. I find them very comfortable. felt odd at first but are so comfy now.

Just make sure you put the correct one in each ear.
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Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

No ear yanking or manipulation...

Just a gentle rotation of the earplug itself, I'm really funny with my ears but have never struggled to get my custom plugs in, they're far more comfortable than standard ones (which expand too large for my narrow ear canals)
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LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Cheers peeps I think I got it, it's the twisty-rotation bit that I was struggling with.

I looked at the impressions next to the actual plugs and they don't look any larger though the left one does seem to be a tiny bit longer.

I was eventually persuaded to buy them because my left canal is quite large and my right canal quite small. I was struggling with disposable plugs, to either get a big enough one for the left and compress it enough to go in the right.

As you may know I used to swear by EARSoft-FX but since the bleeding I can't wear them.

I've been wearing Moldex re-useable plugs for the last 6 weeks, whilst waiting for my new plugs to arrive, and I thought they were fairly good though a bit short.

Thanks again for the advice and tips, I love 'em Karma

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