Custom Earplugs in Wilmington & Southport, NC

Custom earplugs from Excel Audiology are made from precise impressions of your individual ear canal, delivering a level of comfort, fit, and function that no generic earplug can match. Whether you need protection from noise at work, want to sleep more soundly, or need to keep water out of your ears, we have a custom solution designed for your lifestyle.

Why Custom Earplugs Are Better

Off-the-shelf foam or silicone earplugs are manufactured to fit an average ear — which means they often don’t fit yours particularly well. The result is an inconsistent seal, variable protection, and discomfort during extended wear. Custom earplugs are made from an exact mold of your ear canal and outer ear, giving you:

  • A perfect, consistent acoustic seal every time
  • Superior comfort — even after hours of wear
  • Longer durability — a single pair lasts years with proper care
  • Purpose-built performance for your specific use case

Types of Custom Earplugs We Offer

Noise Protection Earplugs

For general noise environments — construction sites, heavy machinery, yard work, power tools, sporting events, and anywhere sustained loud noise is present. These provide maximum passive attenuation in a durable, comfortable shell.

Sleep Earplugs

Made from ultra-soft, flexible material designed to be comfortable while lying on your side. Sleep earplugs reduce ambient noise to help you get deeper, more restful sleep — without blocking emergency sounds at dangerously high levels. Ideal for light sleepers, shift workers, or anyone sharing a sleeping space with a snorer.

Musician / Flat-Attenuation Earplugs

Designed to reduce all sound frequencies equally, preserving the natural tonal balance of music and speech while bringing overall volume to a safe level. See our full Hearing Protection for Musicians page for details.

Shooting / Electronic Earplugs

Custom passive and electronic options for hunters, sport shooters, and range users. See our Hearing Protection for Shooting page for details.

Solid / Full-Block Earplugs

For maximum attenuation in extreme noise environments. These provide the highest level of passive noise reduction available in a custom device — ideal for industrial settings or anyone requiring the greatest possible sound isolation.

Swim Plugs

Custom swim plugs create a watertight seal in the ear canal, preventing water from entering during swimming, showering, surfing, or other water activities. They are particularly important for:

  • Individuals prone to swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)
  • Patients with perforated eardrums
  • Patients with ear tube placement
  • Anyone who experiences ear infections after water exposure

Custom swim plugs also float if dropped — an important feature at the pool or beach.

Getting Fitted for Custom Earplugs

The fitting process is simple, quick, and comfortable:

Ear Canal Inspection

Dr. Rickman performs a brief otoscopic exam to ensure the ear canal is clear and healthy before taking impressions.

Impression Taking

A small foam dam is placed in the ear canal, followed by a soft impression material that conforms precisely to the shape of your ear canal and outer ear. The material sets in a few minutes.

Lab Fabrication

Your impressions are sent to a professional manufacturer, where your custom earplugs are fabricated to exact specifications.

Pick-Up and Fit Check

When your custom earplugs arrive (typically 2–3 weeks), we’ll have you come in to verify the fit and make any adjustments needed.

Get Fitted for Custom Earplugs

Request An Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

With proper care, custom earplugs typically last 3–5 years. Ear canals can change shape slightly over time, so a new set of impressions may eventually be needed for an optimal fit.

For most regular users, yes. The superior fit provides more consistent protection and greater comfort, which means you’re more likely to actually wear them. Over the lifespan of a pair, the cost per use is often comparable to or less than buying disposables.

Yes — in fact, patients with ear tubes are among those who benefit most from custom swim plugs, as keeping water out of the ear canal is particularly important. Please let us know about any history of ear tubes or ear surgery before your impression appointment.

We do a fit check when your earplugs are delivered and can request adjustments from the manufacturer if needed. A proper fit is part of the service.