Frequently Asked Hearing Protection Questions

Will I loose my Swimplugs if I drop them in the water?

Our SwimFit earplugs are made of a floating blue material. If you drop them when you put them in or take them out of your ears and they fall in the water they will be easily found. The swimplugs fit securely in your ears when you are swimming or surfing so you don’t need to worry of losing them when you are active. You can order Swim plugs here.

Can I pay by Credit Card on your site or only PayPal?

Yes you can pay by credit card and debit card. Once you have chosen your product in the shop and added it to your basket you can go through to payment and choose to pay by credit / debit card. You don’t need to have a PayPal account.

There are several, easy ways you can pay via our website. For all our payment options, please refer to our payment options page.

Where can I have my impressions of my ears taken for a custom made product?

We have a extensive chain of fitting points / clinics all over New Zealand (and Australia) which make impressions of your ears for us. Once you have ordered through our website we will send you the details of the closest one. In Auckland for example we work with over 19 clinics.

A qualified employee will make your impressions and sends them to us. Impressions are included in the price of the product.

Impressions are needed for ACS Pro earplugs, ER Musicians Earplugs, SleepSounds, Swimplugs, Custom Sleeves and our in-ear monitors.

If you have any questions please contact us via email: [email protected]

Is it bad to sleep with earplugs?

Our Sleepsound earplugs are designed for sleeping. They are shaped so it is comfortable to sleep with on a daily basis. Please note that side sleeping can compromise comfort.

We don’t recommend to sleep with any of our other earplugs as that may cause pressure on the ear as our other earplugs are designed for a different purpose.

Tags: Sleeping, SleepSound, Earplugs

What is the highest DB rating for ear plugs?

Our solid earplugs attenuate (reduce) the most. A pair of sleep plugs reduces about 30-33 dB. For industrial noise the Pro31 and Pro27 are the highest attenuating filters: both class 5.

Please note that it is not possible to block out all sound, not even with a custom hearing protection product as sound also travels through the bone structure of your head for example.

Are in ear monitors good for listening to music?

Yes these custom made In ear monitors are perfect for listening to music. You will be impressed by the clarity and accuracy that you gain. It is a completely different experience to listen to music with In ears compared to speakers.
Of course our In Ears are also perfect for on stage performers.

Are IEMs better than earbuds?

Let’s rephrase that question to: ‘are custom In ear Monitors better than standard earbuds‘.

Yes they are. Custom In ear monitors are designed to seal perfectly which improves your listening experience. It also means you don’t need to turn up the volume as loud which will save your ears.

Are in ear monitors noise Cancelling?

Our classic In ears are passive noise cancelling earplugs, or better phrased, noise isolating. They act like solid earmoulds when not plugged in and reduce the sound by 30-33 dB.

How long will it take to make my custom product ?

Once we have received your ear impressions our production time is usually around 7 working days.

This is not a guarantee for delivery within a certain time frame as all custom made hearing protection products are uniquely shaped and manufactured so it can sometimes take a bit longer to make a perfect pair for you, but often it will be quicker.

It can also vary depending on the number of orders we have in production.

Tags: custom made earplugs, Custom Hearing Protection, Custom Ear Plugs, custom-moulded plugs, Custom Ear Plugs and Monitors

I need a class 5 hearing protector / hearing protector with the highest protection?

Our PACS Pro27 and Pro31 are AS/NZS 1270 tested class 5 hearing protectors. Class 5 is the highest class. To purchase a set of class5 ear plugs, please visit our shop.

If you need assistance choosing the right hearing protector product for your situation, please contact us.

Tags: class 5 hearing protectors, certified hearing protection, hearing protection class, earplugs class5, class 5 plugs, hearing conservation, construction noise, industrial hearing protection

How long will my custom earplugs or in ear monitors last?

Your custom hearing protection product (earplugs or In-ear monitors) can last indefinitely, however, we recommend new ear impressions are taken every 3/4 years as the shape of your ear canals can change over time.

Tags: Custom Fit Molded Earplugs, Custom fitted earplugs, Custom-moulded earplugs, custom buds, tailor made earplugs

What warranty do I get on my product?

All products come with a 30 day warranty period for problems with fit, and 12 months warranty on build defects/components. For full details see our terms and conditions

How does the order process work?

Once you have ordered through our website, our customer service employee will contact you with the details of a fitting point close by. You can make an appointment with the fitting point to have your impressions taken. The fitting point will send the impressions to Pacific Ears and we will make your product and send it back to you.

Our usual turnaround time is about 7 working days from the moment we receive the impressions.

Can I order filters separately?

Yes, you can order (extra) filters in our shop under protection accessories. Filters are sold individually, if you need a set, please order two.

Tags: Etymotic 6 replacement filters, ER Filters, PACS filters, Pro series filter, Pro15 filters, Pro17 filters

Can I change my filters if I find that they are attenuating too much or too little?

Yes, that is possible and free of charge in the first month after purchase, as long as the filters are still in new condition. The PACS Pro 10, 15, 17, 20 and 26 can be interchanged. So can the Pro31 and Pro27. It is not possible to change the Pro27 or the Pro31 to a lower attenuation filter than Pro27 because the mould is shaped differently. If you have purchased any of the ER series, it is possible to change the filters with that series as well. The ER9/15/25 are interchangeable. Please contact us for the details.

Click here for all our filters.

Tags: Earplugs Filters, PACS PRO filter series, Ear Plugs Filter, acoustic filters

I have a problem with my In Ear Monitors but they are out of warranty, can you still repair them?

Yes, we probably can, depending on the issue. Please email us with the problem and we will assist you.

If I need to order a second product will I need to have my ear impressions taken again?

We will keep your ear impressions for 2 years and will be able to use them to make further products when you order them. Please send us an email and we probably can give you a discount on your second or following pair.

You already have my impressions on file, does this mean I can get a discount?

Yes, that is possible, please send us an email and we will discuss this with you.

Which Pro filter should I use?

The following is a good guideline but If you are unsure please feel free to contact us for advice: [email protected]

Pro10 – For Acoustic musicians and small ensembles. For light protection in everyday environments
Pro15 – Orchestral musicians, dentists
Pro17 –  Most versatile, DJs, Vocalists, sound engineers, gig-goers
Pro20 – Extra High High-frequency section, ideal for certain drummers and for motorsport.
Pro26 – For venue staff and people exposed to high levels of noise for long periods of time. Good for industrial use.
Pro27 – Best suited for industrial use, motorcyclists and motorsport. The thinner sound tube on the mould to help reduce wind noise under a helmet.
Pro31 – For Industrial noise reduction when speech is also important.

Are the custom made products available in different colours?

Yes it is possible to choose a different colour for your earplugs (except for Swimplugs).

We have the following options:

  • Fire engine Red
  • Bright Blue
  • Custard Yellow
  • Black

These colour deviations cost an additional 20 dollars per colour. You can choose your colour when you order a product.

Standard our Pro series / ER Musicians Earplugs /Custom Sleeves and In-Ear Monitors come in clear.

Standard SleepSounds come in Yellow but can be made in clear at no extra cost.

Earplugs for swimming are only available in blue because the Swimfit is made of a special floating material.

Will ear plugs block out all noise when I try to sleep?

No, SleepSounds will reduce sounds like snoring and traffic noise substantially but they won’t block out all noise. That is not possible with any custom made hearing protector as sound also travels through eg the bone structure of your head.

We design our sleep plugs so they are small and comfortable to wear. The sound seal is made in the canal. You can order Sleepplugs here.

What is the hand grip / cord / standard option for the Pro earplugs?

There are different options for our Pro hearing protectors. Standard / Hand grip / Cord / Hand grip with a cord thread through the hand grip. Each option (except for the standard) is an additional 11 dollars (handgrip with cord: 22 dollars surcharge).

1.If you choose the Standard option, the earplugs are most discrete. They have a very flat profile. The earplugs can be removed by pushing on the skull side of the ear in an upwards movement. The seal will break and the earplugs can be taken out easily.

 

2. The Pro with hand grip, has a silicone hand grip on the top of the earplug. This helps with insertion and removal. Depending on your ear shape the handgrip might stick out a bit. (size 8 mm)

3. The Pro with cord and shirt clip. The black lanyard is plugged directly in the earplug. For safety purposes and convenience, the cord is removable and should not be used to pull the earplugs out of the ears. If you are after a removal option only, please select the handgrip.

4. The Pro with hand grip and cord with shirt clip. This option has the silicone handgrip with a hole where the cord runs through. The cord is removable.

Please note: All these options need to be chosen at the time of ordering, as none can be added afterwards. You can order the options in the shop when you order your Pro earplugs.

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