Earplug test: More than half provide good protection against noise
29-8-2024
Translation: machine translated
Noise can not only be annoying, it can also make you ill. One possible remedy: earplugs. Stiftung Warentest provides an indication of which ones are good in the latest test.
The agony of choice
The most important test criterion is, of course, sound insulation, i.e. how well the earplugs block out unwanted noise. Scores were also awarded in the areas of wearing comfort, handling and labelling. The earplugs were also tested for harmful substances.
So quiet
When I hear earplugs, I automatically think of Ohropax. A classic example of when a brand has become a product. It is therefore not surprising that Ohropax is represented three times in the tested products. All three earplugs from the German company performed well, with those specifically for sleeping even coming out on top in the test.
The Mack's earplugs came in second place in the test. Both these and the test winners from Ohropax are reusable pre-ear plugs made from mouldable silicone.
A total of ten of the 17 earplugs tested received a "good" quality rating from Stiftung Warentest. Five others are at least "satisfactory", including the earplugs from Alpine and Noton.
The fact that they can't keep up with the best is either due to the results in terms of sound insulation or wearing comfort. It should be more than a consolation for Alpine that their earplugs are the best-selling hearing protection products and are also largely rated as good by the Community.
Caution, poison!
The earplugs from Noton, on the other hand, also get the warning finger for harmful substances: According to Stiftung Warentest, they are the only product tested to have a high content of dibutyltin compounds - i.e. highly toxic chemicals. At least the content is below the legal EU limit. But there are still deductions.
Each ear has its own plug
Our ears are just like us: individual and unique. For example, there are large and small ears and wide and narrow ear canals. It is therefore obvious that more than good sound insulation is needed for earplugs to be effective against noise. It is also important that the earplug adapts to the anatomy of the ear, i.e. that it fits well. After all, what good are earplugs with the best sound insulation if you don't feel comfortable with them? Exactly: nothing.
Which earplugs do you use when you need peace and quiet? The Community and I look forward to your tips in the comments.
Header image: Shutterstock / FocalFinder
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
News + Trends
From the latest iPhone to the return of 80s fashion. The editorial team will help you make sense of it all.
Show all
