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Pro Ears Ultra 33 Passive Hearing Protection
$34.95 - $51.75
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Product Information
Technical Details
| Part Number | RTSMAX1 |
| Item Weight | 1 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches |
| Item model number | MAX-1 |
| Color | Orange |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Warranty Description | N/A |
Additional Information
| ASIN | B0013A0C0Y |
| Best Sellers Rank | #904 in Home Improvement (See top 100) |
| Shipping Weight | 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) |
| Shipping | This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S. |
| Date First Available | May 2, 2004 |
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Max uncorded single-use earplug. The world's most used polyurethane foam earplug. Extremely comfortable, especially for long-term wear. Smooth, soil-resistant closed-cell foam skin prevents dirt build-up. Contoured bell-shape is easier to insert and resists the tendency to back-out of the ear canal. NRR 33.
Product Description
RTSMAX1 Features: -Pre-shaped Ear Plugs.-Uncorded.-Soil Resistant.-200 per Box.-Pink.
Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought
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Pro Ears Ultra 33 Passive Hearing Protection
$34.95 - $51.75
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
165 of 169 people found the following review helpful
By J H Murphy
As with the other revieweers, I use these for motorcycle riding, working with power tools, occasional shooting, and also for airplane trips. They do the job and are widely available in the U.S. if you forget yours. I will add some suggestions to the other reviews.
1. The only real complaint about these generally arises due to ear canal size and configuration. Before buying 200, pick up the retail package of six sets and try them out for size. These are available in most chain drug stores.
2. If they are too large, Leight has some other earplugs which may work better. If they are too small, try washing a pair among your clothes in a washing maching - just stick them in a pocket. This makes them puff up substantially.
3. To insert, roll the plug between thumb and forefinger of the hand on the same side as the intended ear. When the plug is about half its original diameter, slide it in the ear quickly. It may help to slide the opposite hand over your head and pull up on the ear as you insert the plug.
4. I find that these go in easily in the morning after a shower, but are more difficult to fit after lunch or in the evening. Any sort of lubrication that you don't mind having in your ear helps. A little spit works fine for me.
5. When you remove them, e.g. in the middle of the day for lunch, there will usually be earwax on the plugs. I usually just wipe that off with a napkin and re-use the plug for the afternoon's efforts. YMMV.
6. These can be re-used, but they're cheap enougn not to, especially if one buys in lots of 200. Keeping them clean helps. Ideally, one need not do this, but I may run short on a trip and I'd rather re-use them than do without. There is a risk of infection if one overdoes this.
7. I also use these when driving my truck with the windows down, but only one in the left ear.
Finally...even if you don't use these...hearing loss is cumulative, and it's not going to get any better as you age. If you don't use these, use something!
1. The only real complaint about these generally arises due to ear canal size and configuration. Before buying 200, pick up the retail package of six sets and try them out for size. These are available in most chain drug stores.
2. If they are too large, Leight has some other earplugs which may work better. If they are too small, try washing a pair among your clothes in a washing maching - just stick them in a pocket. This makes them puff up substantially.
3. To insert, roll the plug between thumb and forefinger of the hand on the same side as the intended ear. When the plug is about half its original diameter, slide it in the ear quickly. It may help to slide the opposite hand over your head and pull up on the ear as you insert the plug.
4. I find that these go in easily in the morning after a shower, but are more difficult to fit after lunch or in the evening. Any sort of lubrication that you don't mind having in your ear helps. A little spit works fine for me.
5. When you remove them, e.g. in the middle of the day for lunch, there will usually be earwax on the plugs. I usually just wipe that off with a napkin and re-use the plug for the afternoon's efforts. YMMV.
6. These can be re-used, but they're cheap enougn not to, especially if one buys in lots of 200. Keeping them clean helps. Ideally, one need not do this, but I may run short on a trip and I'd rather re-use them than do without. There is a risk of infection if one overdoes this.
7. I also use these when driving my truck with the windows down, but only one in the left ear.
Finally...even if you don't use these...hearing loss is cumulative, and it's not going to get any better as you age. If you don't use these, use something!
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
I got a little carried away comparing different brands/models of ear plugs this past week and thought I'd share my experience here. Of the following three, the Hearos Xtreme Protection are my favorite. If the length of this review looks daunting, just skip the rest and take a look at the three kinds of plugs I tried and my overall assessment of their key characteristics:
HEAROS XTREME PROTECTION
Noise isolation: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Appearance/style: 4/5
HEAROS ULTIMATE SOFTNESS
Noise isolation: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Appearance/style: 5/5
HOWARD LEIGHT "SUPER LEIGHT" (same model as MAX1)
Noise isolation: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Appearance/style: 3/5
I decided I needed some ear plugs after being at my wits' end from having to constantly listen to the low rumbly bass of my neighbor's stereo. It's not that it's that loud--but at any volume, constant repetition of a few single low-frequency notes really drives me crazy. I went over and knocked on the door, but no one answered; I'd bang on the wall and they'd turn it down, only to turn it up again half an hour later. I even tried expensive noise-canceling headphones (Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones) and even though they helped, they didn't eliminate the noise.
After reading many positive reviews, I opted for Hearos Xtreme Protection. They have an NRR (noise reduction) of 33, which is the highest I could find in a plug I could afford. I even checked the attenuation data on the back of the package and saw that the decibel reduction was, quizzically, even higher at the low frequencies I was hoping to eliminate. I purchased them and went home and promptly inserted a pair into my ears, which was easier than I expected. I have seen a lot of comments about how they are difficult to get the hang of inserting, but it's really a piece of cake. Just don't skip the part in the instructions about pulling on the top of your ear with your other hand, because that does make it easier to get the plug in all the way. As I heard the second plug crinkling gently as it expanded, I could almost feel the air being sucked out of my ear and a layer of silence emerging. Suddenly I was off in my own world where I could hear only my breathing and the faintest muffled sounds from outside. Once they were fully expanded, I was surprised at how comfortable they were. They exert only a slight pressure on my ears, but it's not annoying at all. My neighbor was not playing music at the time, so I couldn't test their effectiveness against it. However, several hours later I found out from my girlfriend, who had gotten home and been sitting at her own computer (in the same room) for the previous hour, that the neighbors had been playing music for quite a while. I never knew because the Hearos were doing their job that well! Tears almost came to my eyes. A caveat, though: I have another neighbor with a deafeningly loud car stereo that shakes everything in my apartment. I'm not sure these plugs will get rid of that kind of volume, but then again, I haven't heard his stereo at all since I've been wearing them. (I will update this post when I have some real information about this.)
After such a successful experiment, I decided to sleep in them. I could feel them when I was on my side, but they were not uncomfortable--just there. (I later discovered, thanks to some other reviews here on Amazon, that you can simply cut the end off of the plugs with scissors, which does not affect their sound-blocking abilities in the least.) Coupled with the fan on my window unit, I couldn't hear a thing outside of the room. No annoying neighbors, cars, or anything...I didn't wake up once. I used that first pair for about 4 days, and could have used them longer--you could wear the same pair for a week with no problem. About the only con to these plugs are the fact that they are bright blue and a bit long (though, as I mentioned, they can be cut), which means they're not exactly discreet. But if you're anything like me, you don't really care what you look like in these things as long as you don't have to listen to other people's noise. Also, and more relevant for me, is the price. At about $0.60/pair in small quantities, they are the most expensive of the three. However, they are significantly cheaper if you buy them in bulk here on Amazon, especially if you are a Prime member and can get free shipping--this brings the price down to a much more reasonable $0.35/pair or so.
I decided, "wow, if the first kind of plugs I tried were so great, what about the others?" Since Howard Leight Max plugs also have great reviews on Amazon, I picked some up at a local C/V/S (sold as "Super Leight" in a package of 10 pairs). While I found them to be very easy to insert and extremely comfortable, they didn't seem to offer quite as much noise isolation as the Xtremes. Although they have the same NRR (33), the seal just didn't seem quite as tight. A side-by-side comparison revealed the Super Leights to be just a tad smaller in diameter. As a result, they are easier to remove, which I consider a con because I would rather have earplugs stay put. However, if your ears are smaller than mine, you might find the Howard Leight's just as good, if not better, at reducing outside noise, and they would probably be more comfortable as well. Just be aware that they are hunting-jacket orange, so they are even less discreet than the Hearos XP's. However, they are the cheapest of the three plugs--if you buy 200 pair on Amazon (sold as MAX1, but I'm pretty sure it's the same plug), it brings the price down to just a dime or so per pair! Because these plugs seem to be of similar construction to the Hearos XP, you should be able to get at least a week's worth of wear out of these plugs as well--so you're set for four years!
Just for the heck of it, I figured I might as well try the Hearos Ultimate Softness too (another plug well regarded by Amazon reviewers). Although they were comfortable, the seal was not very tight at all and they didn't seem to block nearly as much noise as the Xtremes or the Super Leights. (When I compared them side by side with the Xtremes, I realized how much smaller in diameter the Ultimate Softness are.) They are, however, the most discreet of the bunch. They barely stick out of my ears at all, and they blend in better with my skin tone--of course, they may not blend in with yours. It would be nice if they offered the same plugs in different colors, but manufacturers probably think it would be more confusing for the consumer. They are a little cheaper in the drugstore than the XP, but in bulk they become quite a bit cheaper at about $0.25/pair.
Since noise-blocking is by far the most important feature for me, I'm going to stick with the Hearos Xtreme Protection. Don't take my experience as gospel, but if you have average to large ear canals (which I'm not sure how to figure out, but I figure mine must be of the larger variety), you will probably find the Xtremes to be the best noise blockers. If price is your main concern, go with the Howard Leights, which are almost as good at blocking noise but much cheaper. If you want to compare for yourself, Hearos will send you a free sample if you fill out a form on their website. If you don't want to wait 6-8 weeks, you can go to your local drugstore and spend about $10-$11 and pick up a few different brands.
If I missed anything you're curious about, leave a comment and I'll do my best to provide more information. Thanks for reading to the end!
HEAROS XTREME PROTECTION
Noise isolation: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Appearance/style: 4/5
HEAROS ULTIMATE SOFTNESS
Noise isolation: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Appearance/style: 5/5
HOWARD LEIGHT "SUPER LEIGHT" (same model as MAX1)
Noise isolation: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Appearance/style: 3/5
I decided I needed some ear plugs after being at my wits' end from having to constantly listen to the low rumbly bass of my neighbor's stereo. It's not that it's that loud--but at any volume, constant repetition of a few single low-frequency notes really drives me crazy. I went over and knocked on the door, but no one answered; I'd bang on the wall and they'd turn it down, only to turn it up again half an hour later. I even tried expensive noise-canceling headphones (Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones) and even though they helped, they didn't eliminate the noise.
After reading many positive reviews, I opted for Hearos Xtreme Protection. They have an NRR (noise reduction) of 33, which is the highest I could find in a plug I could afford. I even checked the attenuation data on the back of the package and saw that the decibel reduction was, quizzically, even higher at the low frequencies I was hoping to eliminate. I purchased them and went home and promptly inserted a pair into my ears, which was easier than I expected. I have seen a lot of comments about how they are difficult to get the hang of inserting, but it's really a piece of cake. Just don't skip the part in the instructions about pulling on the top of your ear with your other hand, because that does make it easier to get the plug in all the way. As I heard the second plug crinkling gently as it expanded, I could almost feel the air being sucked out of my ear and a layer of silence emerging. Suddenly I was off in my own world where I could hear only my breathing and the faintest muffled sounds from outside. Once they were fully expanded, I was surprised at how comfortable they were. They exert only a slight pressure on my ears, but it's not annoying at all. My neighbor was not playing music at the time, so I couldn't test their effectiveness against it. However, several hours later I found out from my girlfriend, who had gotten home and been sitting at her own computer (in the same room) for the previous hour, that the neighbors had been playing music for quite a while. I never knew because the Hearos were doing their job that well! Tears almost came to my eyes. A caveat, though: I have another neighbor with a deafeningly loud car stereo that shakes everything in my apartment. I'm not sure these plugs will get rid of that kind of volume, but then again, I haven't heard his stereo at all since I've been wearing them. (I will update this post when I have some real information about this.)
After such a successful experiment, I decided to sleep in them. I could feel them when I was on my side, but they were not uncomfortable--just there. (I later discovered, thanks to some other reviews here on Amazon, that you can simply cut the end off of the plugs with scissors, which does not affect their sound-blocking abilities in the least.) Coupled with the fan on my window unit, I couldn't hear a thing outside of the room. No annoying neighbors, cars, or anything...I didn't wake up once. I used that first pair for about 4 days, and could have used them longer--you could wear the same pair for a week with no problem. About the only con to these plugs are the fact that they are bright blue and a bit long (though, as I mentioned, they can be cut), which means they're not exactly discreet. But if you're anything like me, you don't really care what you look like in these things as long as you don't have to listen to other people's noise. Also, and more relevant for me, is the price. At about $0.60/pair in small quantities, they are the most expensive of the three. However, they are significantly cheaper if you buy them in bulk here on Amazon, especially if you are a Prime member and can get free shipping--this brings the price down to a much more reasonable $0.35/pair or so.
I decided, "wow, if the first kind of plugs I tried were so great, what about the others?" Since Howard Leight Max plugs also have great reviews on Amazon, I picked some up at a local C/V/S (sold as "Super Leight" in a package of 10 pairs). While I found them to be very easy to insert and extremely comfortable, they didn't seem to offer quite as much noise isolation as the Xtremes. Although they have the same NRR (33), the seal just didn't seem quite as tight. A side-by-side comparison revealed the Super Leights to be just a tad smaller in diameter. As a result, they are easier to remove, which I consider a con because I would rather have earplugs stay put. However, if your ears are smaller than mine, you might find the Howard Leight's just as good, if not better, at reducing outside noise, and they would probably be more comfortable as well. Just be aware that they are hunting-jacket orange, so they are even less discreet than the Hearos XP's. However, they are the cheapest of the three plugs--if you buy 200 pair on Amazon (sold as MAX1, but I'm pretty sure it's the same plug), it brings the price down to just a dime or so per pair! Because these plugs seem to be of similar construction to the Hearos XP, you should be able to get at least a week's worth of wear out of these plugs as well--so you're set for four years!
Just for the heck of it, I figured I might as well try the Hearos Ultimate Softness too (another plug well regarded by Amazon reviewers). Although they were comfortable, the seal was not very tight at all and they didn't seem to block nearly as much noise as the Xtremes or the Super Leights. (When I compared them side by side with the Xtremes, I realized how much smaller in diameter the Ultimate Softness are.) They are, however, the most discreet of the bunch. They barely stick out of my ears at all, and they blend in better with my skin tone--of course, they may not blend in with yours. It would be nice if they offered the same plugs in different colors, but manufacturers probably think it would be more confusing for the consumer. They are a little cheaper in the drugstore than the XP, but in bulk they become quite a bit cheaper at about $0.25/pair.
Since noise-blocking is by far the most important feature for me, I'm going to stick with the Hearos Xtreme Protection. Don't take my experience as gospel, but if you have average to large ear canals (which I'm not sure how to figure out, but I figure mine must be of the larger variety), you will probably find the Xtremes to be the best noise blockers. If price is your main concern, go with the Howard Leights, which are almost as good at blocking noise but much cheaper. If you want to compare for yourself, Hearos will send you a free sample if you fill out a form on their website. If you don't want to wait 6-8 weeks, you can go to your local drugstore and spend about $10-$11 and pick up a few different brands.
If I missed anything you're curious about, leave a comment and I'll do my best to provide more information. Thanks for reading to the end!
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
These are the best ear plugs I've ever used. Due to a medical condition, I have acutely sensitive hearing and have spent weeks at a time in the hospital. I literally am not able to sleep without them. These little guys are wonderful. Unlike the cylindical yellow competitors, the suface is smooth so my ears don't get sore. The shape is easy to insert, and makes it difficult to pierce your eardrum or just flat lose it in your ear.
My only problem with this product is that the smooth finish tends to stick in the ear when you get a bit sweaty or don't get your ears dry after you bathe.
My only problem with this product is that the smooth finish tends to stick in the ear when you get a bit sweaty or don't get your ears dry after you bathe.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Great product! Awesome seller! They exceeded my expectations. Item arrived before my estimated delivery date!
Product works absolutely wonderfully! Read more
Product works absolutely wonderfully! Read more
Published 4 days ago by LaDonna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ear plugs are really great!!!!
I bought these for my husband. He is a truck driver and some trck stops are noisy. They work awesomeii!
Published 10 days ago by Pam Blackey
5.0 out of 5 stars
comfy and keeps sound out
my husband wears these to bed because he can't sleep with the sound of a train going by through the night. they fit comfortably while he sleeps. Read more
Published 13 days ago by discoverit777
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great value pack, excellent fit
As a loudspeaker engineer I carry earplugs with me almost everywhere. These are by far the best fitting and best realworld noise reduction (especially low frequency) I've ever... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Merlyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST Effective Anti-Noise Device Ever!
These superb earplugs are effective even if you sleep adjacent next to a snorer of the greatest magnitude. Read more
Published 19 days ago by FYI
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best
Best earplugs on the market today. I buy them in bulk quantity to get the best prices. So glad they're available through Amazon.com. Affordable, dependable, easy to use.
Published 25 days ago by Jeffrey Aberbach
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best earplugs!
My husband is a snorer and these are the best earplugs to block out the noise so I can sleep at night.
Published 1 month ago by shemow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best I have ever found
I have a terrible time falling asleep and this style and brand is the only thing that works. I even carry a couple of pair in my purse for emergencies. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Laurie Niewald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best American-made earplugs
They work just as they should. I wear them in a loud environment, and they also help you sleep if you're a light sleeper. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Western Electric
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Earplug
I've had problems with earplugs in the past that hurt my (somewhat sensitive) ears as they expanded in the ear canal. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mark Kernes
