Ear Protection for Industry
Ear Protection for Recreation
Custom Ear Plugs for the Oil & Petrochemical Industry
Industry-Grade Hearing Protection
Working within the oil and petrochemical industry could cause long-term health issues if proper precautions are not taken. It is a notoriously loud environment so wearing effective hearing protection is a must.
That’s where our Emtec NoiseBreakers® come in. Made of silicone rubber, the NoiseBreakers perfect fit ensures they stay in place and won’t budge, even under strenuous activity. This ensures they will provide the wearer with effective hearing protection for prolonged periods of time, making them ideal for the oil industry.
Custom-fit ear plugs remain securely in place during movement and prolonged use, helping maintain protection in demanding conditions.
Comfortable to wear, even when combined with breathing apparatus, helmets and safety glasses, our NoiseBreakers are vented and custom moulded, designed to perfectly fit a person’s ear canal and concha bowl.
Providing laboratory levels of protection in any environment, our NoiseBreakers are made of a medical grade silicone rubber – a derivative of silica – making them a great environmental choice, as this material has no adverse effect on nature.
They also help to eliminate waste, thanks to the NoiseBreakers’ permanent nature. Unlike other hearing protection used within the oil and petrochemical industry, they are not a disposable plug.
Emtec has the experience and capability to supply directly to the oil and gas industry worldwide. So if you are working in oil and petrochemicals and want to find out how you can ensure you’re fully protected against noise, contact us to find out more or place your order.
We also supply custom hearing protection for military environments, emergency services, engineering and food and drink manufacturing.
Hearing Protection for Oil & Petrochemical Environments
Oil and petrochemical operations expose workers to sustained high noise levels across a wide range of environments, from offshore platforms and drilling operations to refineries, processing plants and distribution facilities.
In these environments, hearing protection must do more than reduce noise. It needs to remain comfortable throughout long shifts, work effectively alongside other PPE, stay securely in place during physical activity, and encourage consistent wearer compliance.
Poorly fitting hearing protection can lead to discomfort, reduced usage and gaps in protection. For organisations responsible for employee safety, selecting hearing protection that workers are willing to wear consistently is just as important as the level of attenuation achieved in laboratory testing.
NoiseBreaker custom moulded ear plugs are individually fitted to each wearer, helping deliver reliable protection, improved comfort and secure all-day wear in demanding industrial environments.
Trusted by Organisations Across Industry
NoiseBreaker custom moulded ear plugs are used by organisations operating in demanding industrial environments throughout the UK and internationally.
Our Clients
Why Custom Moulded Ear Plugs Are Used in the Oil & Gas Industry
Many organisations within the oil and petrochemical sector are moving away from disposable hearing protection in favour of custom moulded alternatives.
Because NoiseBreakers are manufactured from individual ear impressions, they provide a secure and comfortable fit that remains consistent throughout the working day.
Improved wearer comfort
Custom moulded ear plugs are designed specifically for the individual wearer, helping reduce discomfort commonly associated with generic disposable plugs and encouraging long-term use.
Compatible with essential PPE
NoiseBreakers can be comfortably worn alongside hard hats, safety glasses, helmets, breathing apparatus and other personal protective equipment commonly used throughout the oil and gas sector.
Secure fit during physical activity
Unlike disposable alternatives that can loosen or require regular adjustment, custom moulded ear plugs remain securely in place during movement and physically demanding tasks.
Long-term cost savings
As a reusable hearing protection solution, custom moulded ear plugs can significantly reduce the ongoing costs associated with purchasing disposable ear plugs while also reducing the volume of waste generated across larger workforces.
Improved employee adoption
Workers are far more likely to wear hearing protection consistently when it is comfortable, secure and easy to use. Higher acceptance rates can help support hearing conservation programmes and improve overall compliance.
The NoiseBreaker
The fact that NoiseBreakers® are individually tailored has a number of advantages; namely they are comfortable and therefore achieve a high level of acceptance by the wearer, in contrast to the conventional disposable plugs and ear muffs. Also they allow the wearer to communicate easily, but at the same time afford excellent protection.
The NoiseBreaker
Metal Detectable
The Metal Detectable NoiseBreaker is manufactured specifically for use in the food and drink industry, with a metal-detectable capacity and a metal-detectable cord.
The fact that NoiseBreakers® are individually tailored has a number of advantages; namely they are comfortable and therefore achieve a high level of acceptance by the wearer, in contrast to the conventional disposable plugs and ear muffs. Also they allow the wearer to communicate easily, but at the same time afford excellent protection.
The NoiseBreaker
Headphones Compatible
The Audio compatible version of the Noisebreaker can be adapted to house Sennheiser earphones, or audio tubing compatible with radios.
The fact that NoiseBreakers® are individually tailored has a number of advantages; namely they are comfortable and therefore achieve a high level of acceptance by the wearer, in contrast to the conventional disposable plugs and ear muffs. Also they allow the wearer to communicate easily, but at the same time afford excellent protection.
The NoiseBreaker
Slimline for maximum comfort
The Slimline NoiseBreaker is concave, and affords the wearer maximum comfort whilst wearing a helmet. It can be vented with an acoustic filter, or it can be totally solid.
The fact that NoiseBreakers® are individually tailored has a number of advantages; namely they are comfortable and therefore achieve a high level of acceptance by the wearer, in contrast to the conventional disposable plugs and ear muffs. Also they allow the wearer to communicate easily, but at the same time afford excellent protection.
Cost Comparison
Disposable Earplugs
Cost per employee
Cost for 90 staff
Noisebreaker
Cost per employee
Cost for 90 staff
Cost saving by using NoiseBreakers
20p / pair
£0.20+vat
£18.00+vat
£95+vat/pair
£95+vat
£8,550+vat
n/a
n/a
3 pairs / day
£0.60+vat
£54.00+vat
3 pairs / day
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5 days / wk
£3.00+vat
£270.00+vat
5 days / wk
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1 year cost (48 wks)
£144.00+vat
£12,960+vat
1 year cost (48 wks)
£95+vat
£8,550+vat
1 year
£4,410
3 year cost (144 wks)
£432.00+vat
£38,880+vat
3 year cost (144 wks)
£95+vat
£8,550+vat
3 year
£30,330
5 year cost (240 wks)
£720.00+vat
£64,800+vat
5 year cost (240 wks)
£95+vat
£8,550+vat
5 year
£56,250
Attenuation Data
Due to the perfect fit of NoiseBreakers, they work in the real world as they do in the laboratory and therefore the Standard Deviation is minimal. Hence to get a true picture of the attenuation of NoiseBreakers, the Mean Attenuation at each frequency is the key number, rather than the SNR (Single Number Rating)
Attenuation details on NoiseBreakers tested at Salford University Department of Applied Acoustics EN352-2:2002.
| H | 28 |
| M | 21 |
| L | 17 |
| SNR | 25.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are custom moulded ear plugs suitable for offshore oil and gas environments?
Yes. NoiseBreakers are designed to remain secure and comfortable during prolonged wear, making them suitable for offshore platforms and other demanding industrial environments where hearing protection is worn for extended periods.
Why are custom moulded ear plugs often preferred over disposable ear plugs in the oil industry?
Custom moulded ear plugs provide a secure individual fit, greater comfort during long shifts and can reduce the ongoing costs associated with disposable hearing protection. For many organisations, they also achieve higher wearer acceptance, helping support consistent hearing protection across the workforce.
Can custom ear plugs be worn with other PPE?
Yes. NoiseBreakers are commonly worn alongside hard hats, safety glasses, helmets and breathing apparatus. Their low-profile custom fit helps minimise interference with other equipment.
How long do custom moulded ear plugs last?
With proper care, NoiseBreaker custom moulded ear plugs can typically provide around 5–6 years of service. We generally recommend re-fitting after this period, as natural changes to the ear can affect the fit over time. Maintaining the correct fit helps ensure comfort and the level of attenuation required for effective hearing protection.
Are custom ear plugs more comfortable than disposable ear plugs?
Because they are individually moulded to the wearer’s ear, custom ear plugs generally provide a more secure and comfortable fit than standard disposable alternatives, particularly during prolonged use.
Can custom moulded ear plugs help reduce hearing protection costs?
For many organisations, yes. While the initial investment is higher, reusable custom ear plugs can significantly reduce ongoing expenditure on disposable hearing protection, particularly across larger workforces.
Videos
How to Fit a NoiseBreaker Ear Plug
Taking an Ear Impression
Washing your NoiseBreaker Ear Plugs
Emtec Laboratories and Bouygues UK