General use earplugs
Non-custom earplugs for reducing everyday background noise and occasional exposure.
Hearing Protection
Hearing Protection in Nottingham
Professional advice and custom ear impression appointments for protecting your hearing from everyday noise, work, music, motorsport, shooting, swimming and other high-noise environments.
Preventative hearing care
Protect the hearing you rely on every day
Everyday noise can place long-term strain on your hearing, particularly when exposure is repeated. Choosing the right protection helps reduce this risk while preserving the sounds that matter most.
At Nottingham Ear Clinic, our audiology team provides tailored guidance and professionally fitted hearing protection designed around your lifestyle, listening needs and ear health.
What to expect
Hearing protection appointment
A hearing protection appointment gives you dedicated time with a qualified audiologist to assess your needs and create protection that fits your ears precisely.
During this 30-minute consultation, you will receive an ear health assessment, personalised advice on suitable hearing protection, and professional ear impressions where required.
Custom ear impressions are taken using a soft, medical-grade silicone material that moulds comfortably to your ear shape and sets within minutes. This helps ensure your hearing protection is designed for a secure, long-lasting fit.
Cost and impressions
How much does a hearing protection appointment cost?
If you are unsure what you need, you can start with a £30 doctor-led Ear & Hearing Health Check. Your doctor can assess your ear health and refer you to our in-house audiologist for hearing protection advice or impressions where appropriate. Where a full hearing assessment or tinnitus management appointment is needed after the doctor-led check, this follow-on audiology appointment is free when referred by our doctor. If you purchase hearing protection directly through us, the appointment and impressions are included in the product price.
If you have purchased hearing protection elsewhere and need impressions only, a £30 fee applies for impressions, which you can take away with you.
Book hearing protection appointmentDifferent types of hearing protection
Hearing protection is not one-size-fits-all
Noise levels, comfort, lifestyle and how long you will be wearing earplugs all influence the best solution. Our audiologists can assess your needs and explain the most suitable options.
Custom-fit earplugs
Individually moulded earplugs for long-term comfort and higher noise environments.
Sleeping earplugs
Designed for overnight comfort and improved sleep where noise is disruptive.
Motorsport earplugs
Low-profile protection suitable for helmets and repeated engine noise exposure.
Shooting earplugs
Protection for impact noise while helping preserve useful speech clarity.
Musicians’ earplugs
Designed to preserve sound quality while reducing overall volume.
In-ear monitors
Custom-moulded earphones for performers, musicians and stage use.
Swimming earplugs
Designed to help keep water out of the ear canal during swimming and water sports.
Why protection matters
The importance of protecting your hearing
Hearing plays a vital role in how the brain receives, interprets and responds to the world around us. Prolonged exposure to loud sound can damage the delicate sensory cells within the inner ear, which do not regenerate once harmed.
Hearing loss can also make everyday listening more mentally demanding. Struggling to follow conversations may contribute to fatigue, reduced confidence and changes in social behaviour. Protecting your hearing is therefore an important part of your overall health and wellbeing.
Understanding decibel levels
How loud is too loud?
Sound intensity is measured in decibels. Ongoing exposure to sound levels above around 85dB can increase the risk of hearing damage over time, and safe exposure time reduces rapidly as volume rises.
- 15dB: rustling leaves
- 40dB: quiet library
- 60dB: dishwasher
- 80dB: busy traffic or alarm clock
- 90dB: lawnmower or power tools
- 97dB: industrial fire alarm
- 110dB: sporting events or car horns
- 130dB: jet taking off
Act before damage becomes permanent
Noise-related hearing damage can be gradual. Early assessment and good protection habits can help preserve hearing and reduce the risk of tinnitus.
Professional guidance matters
Many hearing protection products require proper ear assessment and, where necessary, impressions taken by an audiologist to achieve a safe and comfortable fit.
Your questions, answered
Helpful answers about hearing protection and preventing noise-related hearing damage.
Who needs hearing protection?
Anyone exposed to loud sound regularly may benefit, including musicians, event staff, motorcyclists, people using power tools, people working in noisy environments, swimmers and frequent concert-goers.
Can hearing protection prevent tinnitus?
Good hearing protection can reduce the risk of noise-related hearing damage, which is one contributor to tinnitus. It cannot prevent every cause of tinnitus, but it is an important part of hearing preservation.
Should I have a hearing test first?
If you have noticed hearing change, tinnitus, sound sensitivity or regular noise exposure, a hearing assessment can provide a useful baseline and guide the most appropriate advice.
What are custom ear impressions?
Custom impressions are moulds of your ear canals taken using soft medical-grade silicone. They allow specialist manufacturers to produce earplugs designed to fit your ears securely and comfortably.
Can ear wax affect hearing protection?
Yes. Wax build-up, ear canal irritation or infection can affect comfort and fit. Ear health should be checked if you have discomfort, blockage or recurrent ear symptoms.
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