How to Choose the Right Earplugs: Silicone vs. Foam vs. Spares

Choosing the right earplugs isn’t just about blocking noise - it’s about protecting your hearing without losing the experience. Whether you're hitting a concert, working around heavy equipment, or just trying to sleep through your roommate's late-night TV habits, picking the right type of earplug matters more than you might think.

Let’s break down the options: foam, silicone, and Spares.


Foam Earplugs: The Common Standby

Foam earplugs are everywhere. They’re cheap, disposable, and easy to find. But while they do offer a decent level of noise reduction, they come with major downsides:

  • One-time use, contributing to waste
  • Hard to insert correctly (and easily pop out)
  • Muffles sound instead of filtering it
  • Can feel itchy, tight, or expand uncomfortably

They’re get used in a pinch, but are not ideal for repeated use or environments where you still need to hear what’s going on.


Silicone Earplugs: Better than foam, But Not Quite There

Silicone earplugs improve on some foam shortcomings. They’re washable, reusable, and often more comfortable. But silicone plugs have severe drawbacks.

They are typically cone-shaped or flanged, which still creates that “plugged up” feeling as to create a seal - they have to be pushed inside your ear canal - that’s bad! While they’re better that foam for long-term wear, most don’t actually filter sound - they just block it - which is why some companies offer so many “different versions” of the same plug. That means your music, conversations, or ambient awareness get dulled in the process and you spend time and money trying to find the right plug for each instance. Not good at all.


Spares: A Smarter Solution

Spares High-Fidelity Earplugs are built for people who want protection and clarity. Whether you’re a concertgoer, a stagehand, or a photographer in the pit, Spares give you a safer experience without muting the world around you.

Here’s what sets them apart:

  • Soft silicone base that fits like a dream and stays put
  • Built-in metal filter that reduces harmful frequencies while keeping sound sharp
  • Reusable and easy to clean, stainless steel designed for daily wear

Spares don’t block sound - they balance it. You’ll hear the music with clarity, the crowd, your coworkers - all the things you want and need to hear - just at a safer level to protect your hearing for a lifetime.

Protecting your hearing shouldn’t mean compromising your experience. Spares are built for the lifestyle you actually live - sometimes loud, sometimes active, and ready to roll nonstop.

Grab Your Spares today and hear the difference for yourself.