Observational studyNoise & health
The study of attenuation levels and the comfort of earplugs.
Observational study in Noise & health. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Hearing protection field attenuation estimation systems and associated training for reducing workers' exposure to noise.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024Pooled it
- Enhancing Hearing Protection: Evaluating Innovative Training Modalities for Optimal Fitting Outcomes.La Medicina del lavoro · 2025Trial
- Earplug use during sleep and its association with cardiovascular disease - Results from a large sample of the general population.International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · 2025Article
- Multifunctional redox modulator prevents blast-induced loss of cochlear and vestibular hair cells and auditory spiral ganglion neurons.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- The influencing factors of hearing protection device usage among noise-exposed workers in Guangdong Province: a structural equation modeling-based survey.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Evaluating Earplug Performance over a 2-Hour Work Period with a Fit-Test System.Seminars in hearing · 2023Review
- The efficacy of earplugs at a major hazard facility.Physical and engineering sciences in medicine · 2022Article
- Identifying Targets for Interventions to Increase Earplug Use in Noisy Recreational Settings: A Qualitative Interview Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Field Attenuation of Foam Earplugs.Safety and health at work · 2021Article
- Should Dentists Mandatorily Wear Ear Protection Device to Prevent Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss? A Randomized Case-Control Study.Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community DentistryArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionThis study aimed to analyze and compare four different types of earplugs, divided into premolded plugs and foam plug models, in relation to the level of attenuation, comfort, and the size of the external acoustic meatus (EAM) in an attempt to identify how these variables influence the choice of specific hearing protection devices (HPDs). MATERIALS AND
methodsA cross-sectional observational study was performed in a sample of 49 participants, oriented toward the ideal placement of four HPDs, two premolded and two foam plugs (3M™). The procedures included otoscopy, EAM diameter measurement using an otometer, EAM volume measurement via an acoustic impedance test, and the obtainment of the bilateral personal attenuation rating (PAR) for each HPD using the E-A-Rfit™ Validation System (3M™). The Bipolar Comfort Rating Scale (BCRS) instrument was applied twice for each individual: once after the evaluations with the premolded HPDs and again after the evaluations with the foam plug HPDs. Then, each participant was asked which was his/her favorite protector.
resultsThe volume of the EAM was not directly related to the diameter of the EAM. The attenuation did not interfere with the HPD preference, and the PAR of the foam plug was significantly higher regardless of the preferred HPD. Regarding the BCRS, the variables "Placement," "Complexity," and "Occlusion Effect" had higher scores for premolded HPDs and had a direct relationship with the type of preferred HPD.
conclusionAttention to the use of HPDs should be personalized, taking into account the needs of each individual, considering not only the attenuation, but also the user's reported well-being.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.