Custom earplug fitting: how it works, step by step

Custom earplugs, also called custom earmoulds (otoplastics in Dutch and German), are made from an impression of your ear canal. We take that impression during a short appointment. With the same impression we also make earpieces for headsets, such as sleeves for the Bose ProFlight. Many people are a little nervous about it, but it is simpler than it sounds: taking the impression takes about 5 minutes and doesn’t hurt. Below you can read exactly how it works, from appointment to delivery, and where you can have custom earplugs fitted.

Custom earplug fitting in 7 steps

1. 1You book an appointment. You do that online at the location that suits you best. We plan 20 minutes, so there is time for advice and for the fitting.
2. 2We discuss what you'll use them for. Sleep, music, work, the motorbike or swimming: that decides which model, filter and material suit you. You look at demos of the materials, grips and colours.
3. 3We look in your ears. With an otoscope we check that your ear canal is clear and not irritated. If there is an earwax blockage, we don't take an impression at that moment.
4. 4We place a cotton block. A small cotton block goes a little way into your ear canal. It protects your eardrum and makes sure the paste goes no further than needed.
5. 5We inject silicone paste into your ear. The paste fills your ear canal and outer ear and sets in a few minutes. During that time it's best not to talk or chew, because jaw movements change the shape of your ear canal.
6. 6We take the impression out and check it. The set impression comes out in one piece, together with the cotton block. We check that the impression is good and then do the other ear.
7. 7We make your earplugs. In our own 3D lab in Eindhoven we print your earplugs from the impression. Then we send them to you, or you collect them.

Does it hurt?

No. You briefly feel the cotton block, and then a cool, soft paste that fills your ear. You temporarily hear less and your ear feels full, a bit like being under water. That’s all. The only tricky part: sitting still for a few minutes without talking or laughing. So better not bring anyone who tries to make you laugh.

This is what it looks like in real life, from taking the impression to production in our 3D lab:

How long until you have them?

The production time is 15 working days. Need them sooner, for example for a festival or a flight? Then a rush order takes 5 working days. The current lead times per product are on our delivery time page.

After delivery you have a few more guarantees. Within 3 months of delivery we change your filter free of charge if you find you want more or less attenuation; after that you can order filters separately in our shop. If your earplugs aren’t comfortable, we adjust them under the 6-month comfort guarantee. And you get at least 2 years’ warranty.

Where can you have custom earplugs fitted?

You can book a fitting online at 13 locations in the Netherlands: Amsterdam Rokin, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Apeldoorn, Breda, Den Bosch, The Hague, Eindhoven, Groningen, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. In Belgium we take impressions at six locations: Antwerp, Brussels, Essen, Ghent, Kortrijk and Roeselare. Choose the location near you when you book your appointment; you’ll see the address and the available times there.

On Cyprus you’ll find us in Paphos. For our Paphos location, book your appointment by phone or WhatsApp.

Not near one of our locations? Have impressions taken locally and send them to us. You can read how that works in our help article for international customers.

On-site fittings for businesses

Need earplugs for a team? From 3 people we come to your workplace to take impressions. It takes only a few minutes per employee, so the working day carries on as normal. Contact us for on-site fittings in your country. Fewer people, or self-employed? Then you’re welcome at one of our locations. Read more about hearing protection for work or request a quote. Work earmoulds get a leak test when they are first used; you can read how that works in the leak test for hearing protection.

How to prepare

There’s little you need to do. Just come with clean ears, but don’t poke around in your ear canal with cotton buds beforehand: that only pushes earwax deeper. Having your ears syringed beforehand isn’t necessary either; why, you can read in having your ears cleaned out before a fitting. Does your ear feel blocked? Then first read what you can do about an earwax blockage. Dutch GP guidance (Thuisarts, by the Dutch College of General Practitioners) advises lukewarm water first: spray it into your ear with the shower head once a day, or put in 5 drops twice a day, for 5 days. Ear drops from the pharmacy are not needed: water works just as well. Your own doctor can advise you on the rules and options in your country. Still blocked? At our locations in the Netherlands you can have your earwax removed by Audinc.

Still deciding between a soft and a hard version? Then read hard or soft custom earplugs beforehand, or look at all models at custom earplugs.

Free fittingBook your 20-minute appointmentChoose a location and time that suit you. Advice and impressions are free. Book a free fitting