When you choose custom earplugs, it is not only the material that matters, but also the filter. The filter determines how much sound is reduced and how well you can still hear your surroundings. Two commonly used types are tube filters and membrane filters. Both can bring harmful sound down to a safe level, but they work in different ways. In this article you can read how they differ, what to look for when choosing and which filters Audibling uses. That last point is quick to answer. Audibling only works with interchangeable membrane filters from Dynamic Ear Company.
You choose the filter when you design your earplugs. A partner hearing care professional then takes impressions of your ears. The ear impressions are included in the price and you pay at the hearing centre.
What are tube filters?
With a tube filter, also called a channel filter, the sound passes through a narrow channel in the earplug, sometimes with an acoustic damper inside. The design of that channel determines how much is reduced and in which tones. That differs per manufacturer and per model.
These are the characteristics of tube filters.
They have a simple construction.
They can give enough attenuation for noisy situations, depending on the design.
With some designs, high tones are reduced more than low tones, which can make sound a little duller.
How much they reduce can be read from the SNR and the H, M and L values of the specific filter.
What are membrane filters?
A membrane filter reduces sound with a thin membrane. Through the design of the filter, the manufacturer can control how much is reduced at each pitch. So there are filters that attenuate as evenly as possible, so that music and speech sound natural and only become quieter. There are also filters with extra reduction of high tones for industry and construction, and level-dependent filters for impulse noise. Dynamic Ear Company states that its filters are made of breathable acoustic materials that keep the ear ventilated.
These are the characteristics of membrane filters.
The attenuation can be matched to each use, from flat for music to extra reduction of high tones for construction.
With a flat attenuating filter, music and speech stay clear and easy to understand.
At Audibling they are interchangeable, so you can choose a different filter later without new custom earplugs.
Keep them clean and dry and do not use alcohol or harsh cleaning products, because they can damage the filter.
