27 Apr 2023

Record Interest in ProtectHear at this Year’s Big H&S Show with Free Custom moulded ear plug Trial Extended

ProtectHear, the industry-leading provider of custom-moulded earplugs designed for noisy industrial environments, is thrilled to announce the resounding success of their recent participation at the Health & Safety Exhibition held at the NEC 25-27 April 2023.

The exhibition, renowned for its commitment to promoting best practices and innovations in workplace safety, proved to be an ideal platform for ProtectHear to showcase their popular hearing protection solutions. The company’s presence at the event garnered an overwhelming response, with attendees showing high interest in their advanced earplug design and integrated technology.

As part of their commitment to raising awareness about the importance of hearing protection, ProtectHear offered an opportunity to all visitors to their stand; attendees were provided with details of a free trial offer, enabling organisations to book a ‘try-before-you-buy’, an 8-week period to try out the earplugs and comms accessories, so that their workers can experience the unparalleled comfort and effectiveness of ProtectHear’s custom-moulded earplugs first hand. A record number of trials were booked at the stand.

In light of the overwhelming demand and recognising some key individuals from a wide range of industrial sectors were not able to attend the exhibition, ProtectHear has decided to extend the free trial offer to a wider audience. Those who were unable to visit the event will now have the opportunity to participate in the trial so that up to 10 members of their workforce can discover the transformative impact ProtectHear’s custom-moulded earplugs can have on their daily working lives.

“We are extremely pleased with the exceptional response we received at the Health & Safety exhibition,” said Richard Potter, Manging Director at ProtectHear. “The positive feedback and interest demonstrated by attendees have reaffirmed our belief in the value and effectiveness of our hearing solutions. We are excited to extend our free trial offer to organisations who were unable to join us at the event, ensuring that everyone has the chance to experience the unrivalled quality and tailored fit of ProtectHear’s earplugs and its complementary comms solutions.”

ProtectHear’s custom-moulded earplugs are meticulously crafted to fit each individual’s ear canal precisely, providing superior protection against hazardous noise levels while offering unparalleled comfort. These state-of-the-art devices utilise advanced materials and cutting-edge technology, making them the ‘go-to’ choice for professionals working in noisy sectors. ProtectHear also offers connection expertise, via SpeakHear, with most of the popular radio brands, including Motorola, Kenwood, Hytera and many more.

Don’t miss out on this remarkable opportunity to safeguard your people’s hearing. Visit our trial page to find out the full details and book your trial now.

About ProtectHear:

ProtectHear is the leading provider of custom-moulded earplugs designed to combat noise-induced hearing loss in industrial environments. With a strong commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, ProtectHear continues to set the benchmark in hearing protection solutions, offering unrivalled comfort and performance to organisations the length and breadth of the UK. Amongst the market leader’s customers are Network Rail, British Steel and Weetabix to name just a few.

For more information about the products and services, please visit www.protecthear.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call ProtectHear on 01507 604322 during office hours, or by email enquiries@protecthear.co.uk.

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30 Mar 2022

Guess what grows as you get older…

Did you know your ears continue to grow throughout your lifetime?

Ear change

Over time everyone’s ears grow year on year, as stated in a study from a group of Doctors from London “The ageing process: What happens to our ears over time”. In the 1998 BBC documentary The Human Body: As Time Goes By, this video demonstrates how ears steadily change over a lifetime.

Moulded earplugs

Our earplugs are personally moulded to ensure a perfect fit but as stated, over time the ear shape changes, meaning that the moulded earplugs require a renewal after 5 years.

Why 5 years?

Most custom earplugs have a lifespan of approximately 3-6 years; we have determined through product testing, that our moulded earplugs can stand the test of time! The only thing they can’t control are human factors.

Do my earplugs need renewing?

If you currently have a pair of our earplugs call us on 01507 604322 or email enquiries@protecthear.co.uk, where a member of our team will be able to provide the date your hearing protection was issued.

If your earplugs need renewing, we are more than happy to arrange an appointment to come and visit you. If your earplugs are in date and you would just like a replacement, we can use the original moulds on file to manufacture a new pair.

The benefits over 5 years

It is not only cost saving advantages you will see when using our earplugs, your environmental impact will be reduced, plus your employees will benefit from improved health and safety practices.

Contact us

If you have renewals or you would like to enquire about ProtectHear please contact Kieran Towse on 01507604322 or email Kieran.towse@protecthear.co.uk, who will be able to arrange a new appointment, replacement or renewal.

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01 Jun 2021

A Free Trial offer you can’t miss out on…

A Free Trial offer you can’t miss out on…

About us

ProtectHear is the leading provider of custom ear plugs with outstanding service and a product that is not only comfortable to wear, but also provides the ability to hear conversations and warnings.  The ear plugs are capable of connecting to radios, to enable full communications through our system called SpeakHear. We are so confident our product is the hearing protection you need in your workplace; we are offering a FREE trial.

tinnitusTry before you buy

Companies have the chance to trial up to 10 employees with our custom ear plugs. A toolbox talk is given to employees before the trial commences, showing how to fit, remove and clean the ear plugs.

There is 8 weeks of contact from us during the trial. After an 8 week period if the company wishes to move forward the products on trial are invoiced, and if not then they are returned with no costs incurred. We are confident that the product and service will exceed expectations as the trials have a 95% success rate.

Can I trial SpeakHear?

Yes, SpeakHear is connectable to ProtectHear ear plugs and there are many options to trial. There is a range of communication accessories offered, so trials can be conducted of different types of radios to find the appropriate one for your company. With SpeakHear there are many popular radios that can be connected with brands such as Motorola, Kenwood and Hytera to name a few.

How do I book a trial?

You can contact us on 01507 604322 or via email enquiries@protecthear.co.uk. We are operating in the safest way possible under strict COVID measures.

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23 Mar 2021

Safe Visits

Hairdressers re-opening

On the Prime Ministers road map Hairdressers are planned to re-open around the 12th April, with the same rules that were previously in place for the PPE worn whilst working. The way hairdressers conduct their work is very similar to us, working within 2 metres and one to one with the client.

Ear impressions

When taking ear impressions it is a safe procedure, coming into one to one contact for only 5 minutes. Our custom ear plugs are essential PPE for users in noisy environments, hairdressing is also essential especially as I look at my colleagues’ hair at the moment!

ProtectHear are able to conduct visits as safely as possible using essential PPE such as face masks and visors, whilst also making sure hands are sanitised between impressions taken, with revised safety practices to keep your employees and ours safe:

How can I find out more?

You can contact us either by phone on 01507 604322 or email Kieran.towse@protecthear.co.uk to find out more about the site procedures.

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10 Sep 2020

Reduce landfill, ditch disposables…

Disposable ear plugs

Using disposable ear plugs can protect employees from noisy areas and also gives them the ability to wear disposables with other PPE equipment. But employees use a number of these every day whether it is to take them out at lunch or replacing them when they fall out. Companies use thousands of disposables to protect their employees, but there is a better type of product…

Custom ear plugs

ProtectHear® custom ear plugs provide great protection to employees whilst working and also allow users to hear conversations when communicating with colleagues, on lunch or moving to a quiet work area momentarily, without the need to remove them, due to their unique filter system. ProtectHear® custom ear plugs are a reusable product which has a lifespan of 5 years. In this time thousands of disposables could be used by a single person.

Why is reducing landfill important?

Decreasing waste can also protect valuable resources by reducing the need for replacement items. Landfills are a source of air and water pollution and waste reduction can also reduce energy production and costs. During the Coronavirus pandemic landfill through PPE has increased significantly, meaning it is more important than ever to reduce waste. This is one of the ways ProtectHear® custom ear plugs really make a difference, through reducing landfill over their 5 year lifetime. There are other benefits to ProtectHear® custom ear plugs.

Cost savings

Being environmentally friendly can also offer financial savings, compare the cost for 1 pair of ProtectHear® custom ear plugs to thousands of disposables. On average a company will gain a payback on ProtectHear® custom ear plugs within 2 years.

Comfort

If the cost savings aren’t enough to convince you then the quality of ProtectHear® custom ear plugs should, the ear plugs are the softest silicone custom ear plugs on the market, offering users outstanding comfort levels.

Communications

ProtectHear® custom ear plugs can be connected to SpeakHear® products which are hard wired to a radio from the ear plugs. There is a 12 month warranty on SpeakHear® accessories and the SpeakHear® system is connectable to most radio brands including Motorola, Kenwood, Hytera etc.

Contact us

We are so confident that the product will suit a company’s needs that a ‘Try Before you Buy’ for up to 10 people, is offered to all businesses.  SpeakHear® communication accessories are also offered on the trial. If you have any queries please do contact us on 01507 604322.

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19 Nov 2019

Nine reasons why your hearing protection efforts could be failing

Employer-led hearing conservation achieves the best results

When it comes to industrial hearing protection, the well-known proverb: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” springs to mind.

In short you can provide your workforce with the best hearing protection money can buy, but you can’t simply expect your employees to use it unless, as their employer, you lead the way. 

Some workers will continually put their own hearing at risk by either incorrectly using the hearing protection equipment you have provided, or not wearing it at all, and here’s why:

1.      Lack of employee engagement

Your workers may not fully understand the long term effects working in a noisy environment could potentially have on their hearing.

OK – so it’s common sense to accept if it’s noisy at work you wear ear plugs or ear muffs. But do your workers really understand the implications and what is expected of them in terms of their commitment to using and wearing the hearing protection you have provided?

Of course, to operate within the law industrial employers must carry out noise assessments. Most international regulations for noise exposure at work state that the loudest noise a person should be exposed to for an 8-hour working day is 85dB.

It’s a good idea to let your workers know that you regularly assess their workplace noise levels, and to show them how their working environment measures up in terms of the 85dB / 8 hours regulation. Make sure they know exactly what they are dealing with, what the risks to their hearing are and why you have taken the trouble to invest in excellent hearing protection equipment for them.

2.      You need to review your choice of hearing protection

There are two main categories for industrial hearing protection – ear plugs or ear muffs/defenders – and depending on your working environment as an employer you need to weigh up all the pros and cons in relation to your unique working environment.

Of course both categories offer several variations.

With ear plugs your three main options are:

⁻         Custom-moulded, re-usable ear plugs that are uniquely pre-formed to fit your workers’ ear canal precisely

⁻         Mouldable foam disposable ear plugs

⁻         Head banded foam ear plugs which are semi-inserted into canals

With ear muffs / defenders:

⁻          There is a wide range of ear muff / defender brands available

⁻          They are made of a sound-attenuating material and have soft ear cushions with a hard outer cup held together by a headband

It’s up to you as the employer to assess your workplace and consider the best options for your unique environment and for your workers. For example ear muffs are often uncomfortable in hot and humid work areas and they can interfere with the wearing of safety glasses. For workers who need to wear prescription glasses muffs may also break the seal between the ear muff and the skin resulting in decreased hearing protection, whereas ear plugs are small and portable. Custom moulded ear plugs are re-usable making them more cost effective and kinder to the environment.

It’s often beneficial to involve your workers when making this choice.

3.      Lack of adequate training

Once engaged and you have chosen appropriate hearing protection for your workforce it is imperative you provide adequate training. Your workers need to know how to use / wear their hearing protection and how to clean and take care of their ear plugs or muffs.

A tool-box talk needn’t take long but can be very effective.

4.      You’re allowing your employees to pay lip-service

It’s no good allowing your workers to pay lip-service to their hearing protection. Many workers wear ill-fitting disposable ear plugs balanced in the ear canal entrance. If they are doing this they need to know they may as well not be wearing any hearing protection at all.

Sometimes workers are tempted to replace their hearing protection with music earphones thinking they are still protected. This is not the case. Music earphones are no substitute for hearing protection and should not be worn to protect against exposure to industrial workplace noise.

Intermittent wearing is another key issue. To get the full benefit of their hearing protection your workers should wear their ear plugs or defenders 100% of the time whilst exposed to industrial noise. Removing their ear plugs or muffs even for a short time, substantially reduces protection.

Time hearing protection moved in 1 hour, with effect on hearing protection used:

Time Removed in 1 hour Maximum 25 dB Protection is reduced to (dB)
1 minute 17
5 minutes 11
10 minutes 8
30 minutes 3
60 minutes 0


     Source:  Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

When it comes to hearing protection allowing box ticking is not good enough – it won’t conserve your workers’ hearing.

5.      There is a lack of understanding around comfort

On average it can take a couple of weeks for a worker to get used to their hearing protection, but they need to know it’s well worth persevering for long term protection.  Of course having a custom-moulded ear plug inside your ear canal when you’ve never worn one before is going to feel a little different, but a two-week settling in period is nothing when it comes to conserving your hearing. As an employer it is important to make it very clear to your workers that this is the type of hearing protection you have chosen for them, because you care about protecting and conserving their hearing for the long-term and that you expect them to persevere through the comfort barrier and wear them consistently.

6.      There is a fear of over-protection

Of course your workers need to be able to protect their ears from industrial noise whilst at the same time being able to communicate effectively with their co-workers and to hear warnings and alarms. Getting the level of protection right is a key consideration for any industrial employer. There is a wide range of comms equipment available with hearing protection equipment to ensure your workers are not over or under-protected. 

7.      There is a fear of infection

Some people are fearful of putting things in or near their ears for fear of infection. You need to take steps as an employer to help your workers avoid infection.  The following should be covered in training and tool-box talks.

Cleaning re-usable custom moulded ear plugs is easy as they are made of medical grade silicon which prevents dirt sticking to them. Wearers should squeeze out and wipe off any ear wax, then simply wash their ear plugs with hand soap after washing hands, and dry with a paper towel.

Workers need to know that handling disposable ear plugs and putting them in and taking them out during the course of the working day with dirty fingers should be avoided.

Washable ear muffs should be disassembled regularly for cleaning with a mild liquid detergent in warm water and then they need to be rinsed in clear warm water ensuring the sound-attenuating material inside the ear cushions does not get wet. A soft brush should be used to remove skin, oil and dirt that can harden the ear cushions if left. Excess moisture should be squeezed from the muffs before they are placed on a clean surface to air dry.

8.      There is a lack of inspection & record keeping

Employers needs to carry out regular inspections to ensure their workers are adhering to their end of the bargain when it comes to using their hearing protection equipment. It is recommended the employer keeps track of which workers have been issued with what, in terms of hearing protection and how each employee is maintaining / cleaning their ear plugs / muffs. It is good to have a record showing the results of inspections, to show how seriously individual employees are taking their hearing conservation.

9.      You have no effective Hearing Conservation Programme in place

If you’re going to invest in quality hearing protection for your workers you need to make sure it is taken seriously by everyone.

The best hearing protection results tend to be achieved when the employer takes the lead by putting a ‘Hearing Conservation Programme’ in place that involves:

·         Carrying out adequate noise assessment of the entire working environment

·         Choosing the most appropriate hearing protection for the workplace and its workers

·         Delivering clear and effective employee training and education

·         Paying attention to hygiene and maintenance.

·         Carrying out regular inspection and record keeping
·         Communicating with employees about their hearing protection and involving them  

Contact us, we are happy to help… 

ProtectHear are the UK’s leading custom moulded ear plug specialists and their technicians are on hand Monday to Friday, during normal office hours, to help if you would like any further information about the ear plugs themselves, the comms accessories, the ProtectHear moulding process or the ‘try-before-you-buy’ trial that is currently available to new customers.

Please call ProtectHear on 01507 604322, email them at enquiries@protecthear.co.uk, or submit an online enquiry form.

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