Electronic in-ear hearing protection technology grew in popularity over the last few years. Thanks to companies like 3M Peltor, OTTO, Walker, SWATCOM, and other, in-ear hearing protection is being reinvented for comfort, style, and today's needs.
In-ear headsets are now made to be sleek and for long-wearing comfort. These small earplugs, although tiny, still feature situational awareness, noise reduction ratings, hearing enhancement, and more.
In this article, we're going to dive into the best electronic earplug options that are popular in 2024!
Why Electronic Earplugs Over Standard Earplugs?
Protecting your hearing from dangerous noise levels should be a priority to prevent noise induced hearing loss which can lead to permanent hearing damage. Earplugs are a typical solution for hearing protection.
Although standard earplugs can protect your hearing, they can make you susceptible to other dangers. These include not being aware of your surroundings or your earplugs being rated too low for unexpected noises.
Electronic earplugs solve these dangers while also protecting your hearing. The electronic earplugs are often fitted with omnidirectional outside microphones that measure outside noise levels. These microphones then filter the dangers noises to safe levels.
Electronic earplugs can enhance quiet noises so those can be heard over the dangerously loud noise. Both of these features help users stay aware of their surroundings, hear directions, and stay in clear communication with those around them.
Lastly, electronic earplugs adjust to different noise levels so users are always prepared and protected.
Who Wears Electronic Earplugs?
Many people and industries prefer the light and small design of in-ear vs over-the-ear headsets. Industries such as hazmat, chemical spill cleanup, nuclear inspectors, firefighters, or personnel that wear gas masks. In-ear headsets are great for these industries because the small design doesn’t interfere with PPE and helmets.
Best In-Ear Electronic Hearing Protection
This review of the 5 best in-ear hearing protection headsets should provide you with all the information you need to make the best choice when selecting a headset.
- 3M Peltor TEP-200
- 3M Peltor LEP-200
- 3M Peltor EEP-100
- OTTO NoizeBarrier Micro High Definition Electronic Earplugs
- SWATCOM SC20 Novo Electronic In-Ear Protection
- Walker Silencer Earbuds
Best for Tactical: 3M Peltor TEP-200
3M Peltor TEP-200 electronic earplugs provide both hearing protection and communication. The TEP-200 reduces noise around you to 82 dBA. The neck loop attachment (sold separately) allows for audio signals to be received wirelessly through a tiny antenna on the earpiece.
These electronic earplugs are rechargeable and give you about 16 hours of continuous operation. The earplugs come with a storage and charging case which can be charged with 3AAA batteries or a USB.
Lastly, various communication ear tips can be replaced for additional hearing protection and improving comfort.
Best Feature: Our favorite feature of the TEP-200 is the environmental microphones which provide level-dependent hearing protection in both quiet and loud environments. It also provides situational awareness so you can keep notice of what’s going on around you.
Best for Hunting & Shooting: 3M Peltor LEP-200
The LEP-200 earplugs are great for electronic hearing protection which also helps situational awareness and communication abilities.
These earpieces can connect to a two-way radio, cell phone, or any other transmitting device. Moreover, they can connect to a communications accessory like a shoulder speaker microphone to turn the earplugs into communications earpieces.
The earpieces include a small antenna that can receive wireless audio signals. You will need a neck loop accessory that is not included with the LEP-200s.
Lastly, the LEP-200s can be rechargeable with a USB or powered with AA batteries.
Best Feature: The best feature of the Peltor LEP-200 earplugs is the ability to seamlessly transition between only hearing protection or both hearing protection and communications.
Best for Manufacturing/ On the Job: 3M Peltor EEP-100
The 3M Peltor EEP-100 are useful for improving situational awareness and communication abilities. They also provide hearing protection from hazardous noise levels.
The external microphones fitted to the earplugs enhance situational awareness. With this feature, users' hearing is protected from loud noises, but they can hear nearby communications.
The EEP-100 earplugs are small and lightweight for comfort and compatibility with most PPE. EEP-100s easily fit with helmets and face shields.
These earpieces are rechargeable with a USB jack fitted on the charging case.
Best Feature: The EEP-100 earplugs come in a protective case with multiple sizes. This is great so users can make sure the earplugs fit perfectly; without a perfect fit, the earplugs will not work properly.
Best for Tactical & Shooting: Otto NoizeBarrier Micro High Definition Electronic Earplugs
The Otto NoizeBarrier electronic earplugs offer high-quality situational awareness and clear hearing protection while protecting your hearing. These earplugs provide 40dB of noise protection which is great for environments with dangerous noise levels.
The hearing enhancement mode can increase soft noise levels by 5x. This setting can keep users safe because you can always be aware of what is happening around you. The Otto earplugs offer 16 hours of battery life and are rechargeable for continuous use.
The Otto electronic earplugs are a great option for environments with consistent dangerous noise levels.
Best Feature: Our favorite feature of the Otto Noizebarrier is the adaptive noise attenuation. This feature lowers all consistent noise entering the outside microphones by 15dB. This creates a stable background noise so it is easier to focus and hear important directions.
Best for the United Kingdom: SwatCom SC
The SWATCOM SC electronic in-ear protection are great for providing hearing protection without feeling like you are using earplugs. The Novo earplugs provide passive attenuation which enhances your situational awareness.
These earplugs have tiny omnidirectional microphones on the outside. These microphones pick up the environmental noises and filter away the dangerous noise levels.
The SWATCOM Novo earplugs can function for 80 hours with zinc air hearing aid batteries. The earplugs also have an IP54 rating for longevity.
Best Feature: Our favorite feature of the SWATCOM SC Novo electronic earplugs is the option between natural or enhanced. The natural version of these earplugs is the closest to normal hearing levels while loud noise like a firearm discharging will be filtered out.
The enhanced version boosts your hearing so you can hear subtle noises that would normally be overwhelmed by dangerously loud noises.
Best for Everyday Use: Walker Silencer BT Earbuds
The Walker Silencer electronic earbuds are the perfect balance between hearing protection and situational awareness. The noise reduction rating or the NRR is 24 dB while providing Bluetooth connection.
The earbuds can be controlled through the Walker BT 2.0 application. In this application, you can check and change the volume of the individual buds, battery level indication, and four sound quality modes.
Walker earbuds have multiple settings to make you listening experience better. You can switch between Universal, High Frequency, Power Boost, and Clear Voice Operation Mode.
The Silencer Earbuds have a rechargeable lithium ion battery and can be recharged by a USB cord.
Best Feature: Our favorite feature of the Walker Silencer Electronic Earbuds is the sound-activated compression. This feature protects users hearing by randomly adjusting listening levels within .01 seconds once a dangerous noise level is detected.
One More Thing...
Remember, it is easy to forget about the real possibility of losing your hearing from dangerous noise exposure. Hearing protection like electronic earplugs not only protects your physical safety by providing situational awareness, but they also protect your future hearing.
How we can help
First Source Wireless is a dealer of 3M Peltor hearing protection and accessories. Interested in improving your communications and hearing protection? Let us help you with our wide selection of electronic earplugs. Shop now or give us a call to discuss available options at 800-991-4569.
