To create an earmold impression, a professional fills your ear canal with a soft, medical-grade material. Once this material hardens, it is removed to create a precise mold of your ear. This mold then forms the basis for the custom earplug production process.

Earmold impressions are detailed replicas of the inner and outer structure of your ear canal. These impressions serve as the foundation for Hocks custom line of earplug products.  An accurate earmold impression ensures that the final product not only fits perfectly to your unique ear anatomy, but is comfortable, provides effective noise attenuation, and is secure enough to stay in place during use.

Hocks has two ways to obtain an ear impression:

1.  For those purchasing Hocks Custom Earmolds, impressions are included in the quoted price when taken at the Hocks Building, located at 3930 S Kelly Ave, Portland, OR 97239.

2. For those who want to set up group impressions, a technician may to be sent to another location within approximately 20 miles (from the Hocks Building), with an additional fee.

The off-site Impression Fee for scheduling a technician at your location is $275.00, with a minimum of 10 persons. After meeting the minimum, additional people are $25.00 each.

Completed hearing protection will be mailed to the purchasing business, with insertion instructions, at a freight cost for weight and distance.  Those wearers that experience a fit issue will need to make an appointment at the Hocks building for an adjustment.

The Earmold Impression Process

The process of taking earmold impressions is quick and typically painless. Impressions take approximately 15 minutes per person. It involves:

1. Initial Examination: The technician will examine your ear canal to make sure it’s clean and free of obstructions.

2. Inserting Blocker: A cotton or foam block is placed in the ear to prevent the material from reaching too deep.

3. Audalin Methacrylate Material Injection: The impression material is injected into your ear via an impression syringe. After a few minutes, it solidifies into the shape of your ear canal.

        Materials: Audalin Methacrylate (Powder and Liquid) is Hocks preferred material as we believe it takes the best impression. We are also able to provide a two-part silicone that is injected via a syringe and Ultra Blue, which is a medical grade silicone cartridge material.

4. Impression Removal: The mold is removed, and an accuracy check performed. A high-quality impression captures the full canal, including the second bend, the concha, bowl, and the tragus, ensuring a secure, non-irritating fit. The impressions are then packed up and are ready for use in making your custom earplugs.

To ensure your custom earplugs last as long as possible, it’s crucial to keep them clean and stored properly.

·            Clean them regularly using mild soap and water, rinse and dry.

·            Store in a protective case when not in use, to avoid damage.

·            Avoid extreme temperatures, as they can affect the integrity of the materials used.

·            Do not use cords to remove earplugs, as this may permanently damage earpieces.

With proper care, custom earplugs can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. Durability depends on usage and maintenance. Hocks earmolds can last longer with some customers wearing their plugs up to 15 years. OSHA recommends having the fit checked by a professional every 2 years as ears change throughout a person’s lifetime. While ears do not technically "grow" in size after puberty, they do get larger with age due to cartilage breakdown and gravity. Studies indicate ears lengthen by roughly 0.22 - 0.51 mm per year, primarily caused by cartilage losing elasticity and stretching, especially the earlobes.

For those needing impressions taken for a product not manufactured in Hocks Laboratory, Hocks technicians are happy to take impressions at our Hocks location for a fee of $40.00 per person.

how to Care for Custom Earplugs