Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs, 31dB Highest NRR, Comfortable Hearing Protection for Shooting, Travel, Work and Concerts

For a while, I was researching a lot of the top choices for hearing protection because my girlfriend and I were going to the Indy 500 for the first time, and we wanted to protect our ears. Having been to NASCAR races before, I knew what I was looking for and I also knew I didn't want over-the-ear ear muffs because they can put some strain on your head and cause sweat to pool around your ears. So, I wanted earplugs to counter these issues. I investigated a lot of options, but Decibullz was the first choice I saw and it stuck with me the whole time.I'll put it simply: These ear plugs are the best out there. With the slightest caveat.Most of the negative reviews for this product are due to user error. If you follow the directions and mold them properly, you will experience NONE of the issues they faced. These ear plugs were comfortable for an entire 3 hour race, no irritation, and no hearing loss at all. No sound bled through, and they didn't ever feel like they were going to fall out.The setup is pretty straightforward, but let me share what I did to make them fit absoultely PERFECTLY:1. Setup the earplugs while boiling your water. I got the case/laynard/plugs bundle, so I used the non-laynard filters and the smallest tri-flange tip they had. This is to ensure the earplug goes in far enough into your ears to get a good inner mold(very important).2. Once water and plugs are ready, do ONE PLUG at a time!!! This is crucial. The steps say to do both, but it is much easier when you can focus on one plug at a time. Let it sit in the water for 5-6 minutes.3. Gently scoop the plug out with a spoon. I used a metal spoon and had no issues. And let it cool until you can touch it. Be careful not to squeeze too hard!4. This is the most important part: Carefully put the plug in your ear. Make sure to rest it in your ear, and then ONLY push where the filter is initially. Making sure the plug is IN your ear properly is the most crucial step! And make sure it is in as comfortably far as possible.5. Begin to massage the plug into the space of you ear. I focused on pushing to the back of my ear, then massaging above my ear lobe, and then the front of the ear. And then keep pushing on the filter to maintain that seal. Keep doing this for a few minutes. Also, very useful to have another person helping, but a mirror works too to ensure the whole ear canal is covered.6. During this process, I also was squeezing my ear (top and bottom, front and back) around the mold to make sure it took total shape of my ear and to ensure it's not going to hurt my ears for being in a long time.7. Once the plugs are hardened, carefully take them out and let them cool. Then repeat the steps for the other ear plug.8. After all the plugs are molded, it is important to test the plugs TWO different times. First, test both plugs in at the same time to ensure the sound around you is at least muffled. Have some air blow into each ear. If you hear a lot of air/wind, then it is best to try and refit them to make sure your whole ear hole is covered.9. If that test passes, then you will want to switch to the foam ear tips (these offer the best noise cancellation). Squeeze the foam tips so they compress and go further in the ear. Do the same test as the last step. If you have the same issue, make sure to change the tips BACK to the ones you used initally and then repeat the steps to refit them/warm them back up.10. The plugs should significantly reduce the sound. Almost like you're underwater. But you should still be able to hear mostly everything. It reduces the noise, not cancel it out.For anyone looking to use these plugs for the same application as me (in-person auto racing spectating), then these are absolutely PERFECT!I was able to hear the cars go by at a reasonable volume, AND I could still talk to my partner between passes and hear the announcer clearly over the speakers.Because of how great these plugs were, I definitely anticipate using these for other applications (concerts, more races, anything that is loud).If you were on the fence about getting these plugs, please let this review be the sign to get them. Ignore the bad reviews, because they more than likely did not install them correctly.TLDR: Bought these plugs for IndyCar/NASCAR races, and worked perfectly for that application. I shared the steps I took to make them fit right, and experiencd none of the negatives the bad reviews shared because I followed the steps. Highly recommend getting these plugs!

So other reviewers have already responded to negative reviews for the Decibullz Earplugs, but I thought one more response to a majority of the complaints in the negative reviews. I nearly passed on these earplugs if it hadn’t been for the positive, independent buyer reviews, which explained most of the complaints in negative reviews of these earplugs.First, if you want a “plug-n-play” earplug (pun intended), then these aren’t the earplugs for you. These earplugs are NOT designed for use right out of the box, but that’s what makes them so superior to generic foam earplugs. Everyone has a unique ear shapes and ear canals, and these earplugs allow buyers to shape each plug for a personalized fit and thus a seal and stability that is TRULY tailored to the ear it’s in!Second, most everyone has purchased a product and immediately discarded the user manual. Even if you take that approach when your Decibullz arrive you’re in luck, because their website has some well made, and easy to understand, walkthrough videos of how to properly shape your Decibullz. At the most it takes 20 minutes to watch the videos or read the included manual/instructions and take the necessary steps to get the Decibullz uniquely formed to fit your ears.Third, if a first you don’t succeed in getting the right shape and feel, you don’t have to toss them (unlike applying your phone’s screen protector). This is my second pair and I repeated the simple heating process, which allows malleability of the plastic, to get the fit I wanted (but I’m a perfectionist).Fourth, the foam earplugs, which you can see in one of the pictures associated with this review, are the way to go in order to achieve the best noise isolation. If you’re familiar with any brand of foam earplug then you know the correct way to place them in your ear is to compress the foam prior to placing them in your ear canals and allow the foam to expand inside your ear canal for a tight and proper fit. This is a unique, but very important, attribute of any foam earplugs or earbud tips, compared to their silicone counterparts.Lastly, if you take the time to get mould formed to your liking, and use the foam ear tips as mentioned above, then you will undoubtedly have a positive experience with this product!

Good sound management, easy to mold. Could be clearer with instructions on molding and picking correct non foam plugs.