Which Custom Earplugs Offer the Best Protection?

[orbiter12]

I went to get custom earplugs but can't find ones with high enough protection.

Do any of the custom plugs compare to foam protection?

I want customs because they're more comfortable, less occlusion and quicker and less hassle to put in. But do any offer 28 dB or more protection or even 32 dB?

I've looked at ACS but the highest is 26 dB PRO filter. The solid blank filter I can't find attenuation values for.

 

[walkthroughwalls]

I went to get custom earplugs but can't find ones with high enough protection.

Do any of the custom plugs compare to foam protection?

I want customs because they're more comfortable, less occlusion and quicker and less hassle to put in. But do any offer 28 dB or more protection or even 32 dB?

I've looked at ACS but the highest is 26 dB PRO filter. The solid blank filter I can't find attenuation values for.

I asked a hearing care professional (is that what these people are called in English?) about "custom made earplugs like the foam ones" and he suggested getting the earplugs for swimmers instead of the musician ones. These have no filters and should block all sound as much as possible, although I don't think this has been actually tested. I can imagine thin plastic earplugs which would stop water, but not dampen sound all that much.
These being plugs for swimming, these don't come with an attenuation chart, but another musician told me that these do dampen more than the heaviest filters. They should be a little cheaper too (about €100 instead of €180 around here).

Not all foam earplugs are created equally either. Some are less comfortable, protect less, harder to put in, etc., than others.

By the way, how do you know that custom earplugs are impacted less by the occlusion effect?

 

[DebInAustralia]

I wear no ear plugs.

 

[Wojtek Kalka]

ACS full block is more than the black ones. Actually ACS full block plus a Bose QC35 together do magic ...

 

[orbiter12]

ACS full block is more than the black ones. Actually ACS full block plus a Bose QC35 together do magic ...

What dB reduction do the ACS full block give?

 

[Wojtek Kalka]

You can't get more then 30-32 dB reduction with blocking the ears, you have to block more ... so I think together with the Bose you get 35-38 dB, apart from that everything feels super quiet. You won't hear clapping or talking next to you.

 

[Fabo]

You can't get more then 30-32 dB reduction with blocking the ears, you have to block more ... so I think together with the Bose you get 35-38 dB, apart from that everything feels super quiet. You won't hear clapping or talking next to you.

There is a natural limit: http://www.hearforever.org/blogs/01/24/2011/qa-why-arent-there-any-nrr-40-earplugs

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

I understand tinnitus causes us a great deal of stess. But can I ask why you require more than 27db protection from custom plugs?

The acs is a very good set of plugs, but if you need more than protection that that I would remove myself from the situation or wear ear muffs as well. Eg. Shooting.