01732 525912

info@kenthearing.com

Tel: 01732-525912
info@kenthearing.com

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Custom Devices

Today, noise-induced hearing loss is almost entirely preventable. But many people don’t realise that while enjoying their hobbies, for example riding a motorbike, playing in a band or listening to music, they can potentially be causing permanent damage to their hearing.

At Kent Hearing, we offer expert hearing assessment and advice as well as bespoke plugs and personal protective equipment to enable you to enjoy all your favourite activities, while at the same time protecting your hearing.

We can provide custom swim plugs for children and adults to keep ears dry and reduce the risk of painful and unpleasant ear infections while swimming or on holiday. Custom sleep plugs, which are comfortable to wear and especially designed for you to sleep with, can be provided to eliminate or reduce the sound of snoring or other external noises. And we can provide noise protection plugs to help protect your hearing in a wide variety of work environments.

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“My new swim plugs fit perfectly and have stopped the problems I had with water in my ears. Dr Carling was very thorough when taking the impressions and at the fitting. Great to have different colours too, so I know which plug goes in each ear! Highly recommended”
Mark

In-ear tips and customised moulds

We can also provide in-ear tips for ear monitors, for example for sound engineers, recording artists and motorsport helmets.  Please bring your monitors with you when you come to your appointment so that they can be built into your custom plugs.  If you struggle with wearing in-ear headphones, e.g. airpods, because they don’t fit the size or shape of your ear canal, we can make custom impressions to fit your existing devices. 

 
To book your appointment please call us on 01732 525912 

Bespoke custom devices to protect your hearing

All the devices we provide are custom-made and fitted to the individual shape of your ears, ensuring they provide the best possible protection for you and your hearing. We can help with:
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Swim Plugs

Our swim plugs are individually designed to stop water getting into your ear canal, reducing the risk of ear infections. Swim plugs can be particularly beneficial to anyone who has recurrent ear infections, grommets and T-tubes, has a perforation of the eardrum, or has a skin condition that affects their ears, e.g. eczema or psoriasis. They can also help reduce ear infections in children who swim regularly at home or while on holiday and are prone to outer ear infections.

Musician’s Plugs

If you play in a band or play a musical instrument with amplified sound, then it is very likely that the level of sound generated could potentially damage your ears and even cause permanent hearing loss. Custom-made musician’s plugs will reduce the loudness of music entering your ear canal, allowing you to play and listen to music safely for longer periods of time.
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Sleep Plugs

If you struggle to sleep because of your partners snoring, or due to other background noise, then sleep plugs can block out excess noise and reduce the amount of sound entering your ears, helping you to get better night’s sleep. All our sleep plugs are custom-made, ensuring that they provide maximum comfort as well as the best possible against unwanted noise.

Motorcycle Plugs

Custom-fitted noise plugs help prevent noise damage to your ears, caused by the sound ofthe wind or your motorcycle. Because our plugs are custom made to fit the individual shape of your outer ear, they provide maximum comfort and protection when worn under your helmet, while still allowing you to hear traffic and external warning noises as well as your navigation system, music or intercom.

Plugs for work environments

There are many work environments where noise levels can have a detrimental effect on your hearing, with the potential to cause long-term or permanent hearing loss. People who work in construction, factories, engineering, noisy pubs, bars or nightclubs, or those who work using heavy machinery or power-tools, are just some who are potentially at risk. Custom- fitted ear plugs will reduce the levels of noise that you are exposed to at work, protecting your ears and enabling you to work without sound interference.

Bespoke noise protection plugs

There are many social and leisure activities where noise or sound are often at levels which can have a negative effect on our hearing. Going to clubs, gigs or concerts, attending loud spin or other exercise classes, shooting, car or go-cart racing are just a few examples. We can provide bespoke custom plugs and other devices for all these situations allowing you to enjoy your favourite hobbies and pastimes without putting your hearing health at risk.

To book your appointment please call us on 01732 525912 

Custom Devices

About your appointment at Kent Hearing

We will ask you to make two appointments with us. At the first, we will discuss the reason for your visit, your general hearing, and the circumstances and environments that you need your plugs or devices for. Dr Carling will check your ear canal to ensure that it is clear of earwax and will then take impressions of your outer ear. These impressions will then be sent to the manufacturer so that your plugs or devices can be made to fit your ear as perfectly as possible. This will usually take between 2-6 weeks, depending on the type of device and the manufacturer. We are not tied to any one manufacturer and therefore will select the most suitable for to meet your individual needs.

Once your plugs or devices have been received, we will then ask you to come back in for your fitting. Dr Carling will make sure that your devices fit and work as they should, and that you find them comfortable. We will discuss how they should be maintained and cleaned with you and answer any questions that you may have.

Custom devices and medical hearing loss

If you have already been diagnosed with hearing loss, then swim and/or noise protection plugs may well be recommended to you help and maintain your hearing at its current levels and further reduce the risk of additional hearing loss. Please call us on 01732 525912 for further details.

Frequently asked questions

How long will it take for my customs devices to be ready?

This will depend on the type of custom devices you require and the manufacturer that we ask to make them. Usually it will take between 2-6 weeks and we will confirm this with you following your first appointment for your fitting.

How much do custom devices cost?

The cost of your custom devices will vary according to the type of devices we recommend and the manufacturer used to make them. As an example, adult custom swim plugs will usually cost about £150.00 and musician’s plugs around £250.00. These prices include both your initial appointment, the taking of impressions and your custom fitting. An exact cost will be confirmed, at or immediately after your first appointment with us.

What levels of sound are safe for our ears?

Generally, sounds of 80 decibels (dB) or less are considered safe for our ears. Noise of more than 85dB can start to damage our hearing over time and any sounds of 120dB or more can cause harm to our ears with a single exposure. To provide some context to these levels, normal breathing is usually around 10 dB, normal conversation about 60dB, and the maximum volume for personal listening devices can often be around 105-110 dB. At this level, hearing loss is possible after just 5 minutes of listening! How much damage occurs depends on not just the loudness but also for how long we are listening at that level.

Did you know?

  • There are many everyday sounds and noises that are loud enough to have a negative impact on our hearing and can potentially cause hearing loss. Spin or fitness classes, some children’s toys, cinemas, hand dryers, concerts and sporting events are just a few to consider.
  • Custom swim plugs and other devices now come in many different designs and colours so there is something to suits most tastes and styles!
  • Today’s custom swim plugs float, so they are easy to find should they accidentally come out while you are in the water!
  • If you play in either a band or an orchestra the noise levels are much higher than you think. Specialised musician’s plugs help to maintain the quality of music while reducing the overall loudness
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About Kent Hearing

Kent Hearing provide expert advice and personalised care in all aspects of hearing health and rehabilitation. In addition to custom devices, our services include detailed hearing tests and diagnostics,  earwax removal using microsuction, hearing aids and tinnitus management.   We are also one of the very few audiology practices in Kent to offer comprehensive children’s hearing services for children of all ages.

Run by Dr Priya Carling AuD, RHAD, and situated on Kings Hill, close to West Malling, Kent, the practice is open 09.00am – 17.30 Monday to Friday.  Appointments should be made in advance by calling 01732 525912.  We look forward to welcoming you.

We also hold weekly clinics at the Pantiles Eye Centre and Hearing Care, Tunbridge Wells offering appointments for earwax removal by microsuction, hearing checks, hearing tests and diagnostics.

 For more information, or to book an appointment with us please call us 01732 525912 .