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F.A.Q. Frequently asked questions.

Mack's Roll-Ups Wallet Hear Plugs

Description

Mack's Wallet earplugs address the biggest problem faced by earplug wearers: having a pair at hand when needed unexpectedly. I used to use wadded toilet paper... until I found out about Mack's Wallet earplugs.

Mack’s Roll-Ups Wallet earplugs are stored flat in a packaging that is smaller than a credit card. Each package includes a pair of silky smooth strips of foam that roll up in seconds. They are designed to fit any size of ear canal: simply roll tighter for smaller ears. Once inserted, the plug will conform to the ear and provide decent comfort and hearing protection.

Average price : $5 a 4-pair box.

Attenuation Table

	60Hz	125	250	500	1k	2k	4k	8k	16kHz
Rated	-	21.8	24.7	28.8	29.5	33.7	37.6	44.1	-	NRR 21
Measured	6	8	10	12	17	20	26	30	36	ΔF ±10.5

NRR stands for Noise Reduction Rating. It is a standardized measure expressed in decibels (dB), and represents the overall attenuation offered by the earplug. The higher the NRR, the stronger the attenuation. Differences in the NRR of less than 3 dB between earplugs have no importance in practice.

ΔF represents an important factor for musical applications, as it measures the standard deviation from a spectrally flat attenuation between 60Hz and 16kHz. The smaller the ΔF, the higher the fidelity. ±3dB is virtually inaudible and can be considered as the very best one can get.

Audio Simulation

Using headphones is best for this test. Pick a file from the top row, adjust its sound level to match the real life situation (e.g., the bike should play louder than the snoring), and then switch to the bottom row to audition the earplug under test.

Snoring	Bike	Babble	Plane	Gun	Industrial	Club	Rock
w/Plug	w/Plug	w/Plug	w/Plug	w/Plug	w/Plug	w/Plug	w/Plug

Comments

We found notable differences between the attenuations specified by the manufacturer and our measures. Depending on how tight the earplugs are rolled and how deep they are inserted, attenuation factors change considerably - up to a 10 dB difference inside a band. Even so, none of our multiple trials could achieve the 20 dB attenuation specified in the lower register.

In any case, Mack's Roll-Up Wallet earplugs are not meant to provide you with the best and flattest attenuation for music purposes, nor do they offer you the easiest insertion and highest comfort, but they will excel in what they are meant for: providing you with a solution that will save your hearing in unexpectedly loud environments!

Use	Score	Comments
At Home	•	Not what they are meant for.
On the go	•••	The concept is simply brilliant.
Industry	•	Unreliable attenuation. Not handy to plug.
Music	•	Not neutral, but will save your hearing.

Compared to...

There aren't many hearing protection solutions available to you when needed unexpectedly, besides wadded toilet paper. Mack's Roll-Up Wallet earplugs are much better looking - almost invisible thanks to their skin tone color - easier to handle, and do not present any risk of leaving paper debris in your ears. Mack's Roll-Up Wallet earplugs are therefore nominated as the best alternative to toilet paper... when it comes to earplug use! :-)

Manufacturer Links

• Mack's Earplugs
• Mack's Roll-Ups Wallet