Image: Mack's · source
Mack's · Budget
Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are polyurethane foam earplugs with an NRR of 33 decibels, sold by the maker in counts from 3 pairs to 100 pairs, including a 50-pair jar.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Mack's lists loud concerts, motor sports, sleep, shooting sports and power tools as uses; trains are not mentioned, so the case for a railfan rests on the numbers and the maker's own guidance. The maker offers a rule of thumb for harmful noise: if you have to shout to be heard by a person about three feet away, the noise is potentially harmful, and it puts the start of unsafe levels at roughly 85 decibels. Anyone who has stood on a station platform or at a public viewing area while a loud train passes will recognise that situation. Mack's worked example on its noise-reduction sheet takes a 92 dB(A) environment down to approximately 59 dB(A) at the ear when the plug is worn as directed. The same plug is also sold in packs with a travel case, in 7, 10 and 30 pair sizes, for carrying.
Fitting follows the maker's directions. With clean hands, roll the plug into a tight, crease-free cylinder. With the opposite hand, reach over your head and pull up and back on the outer ear to straighten the ear canal. Insert the plug quickly, well into the canal, and hold it until it expands. Mack's says the plug should stick out just enough to grasp with thumb and forefinger, and that your own voice sounding more internal and exaggerated is a sign of a good seal. Remove it slowly with a twisting motion, because rapid removal may damage the eardrum. Improper fitting reduces effectiveness and could result in hearing loss or injury. The maker says to discard the plugs after several uses or as soon as dirt or wax accumulates, and that they cannot be cleaned, which is why a 50-pair jar suits someone who wears them often. Because plugs cut sound by design, take them out when you walk between platforms, crossings or car parks and need to hear announcements, horns and traffic.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| NRR | 33 dB |
| Maker | McKeon Products, Inc. |
| Made in | USA |
| Material | Polyurethane foam |
| Test standard | ANSI Standard S3.19-1974 |
| Mean attenuation | 37.0 to 46.9 dB, 125 Hz to 8000 Hz |
| Pack sizes listed | 3, 5, 7 (with aluminum travel case), 10 and 30 (with plastic travel case), 50 (jar), 100 (individually wrapped), 100 (bag) |
Adults who want low-cost foam protection in bulk and will take the time to roll and seat each plug correctly. It suits a railfan who expects loud passes at stations and public viewing areas and likes to keep spares on hand. It is not the pick for someone who needs washable, reusable plugs or a water seal.
Mack's moldable silicone and pre-molded flanged earplugs, which the maker recommends in its FAQ when you need water protection, since these foam plugs are not designed to seal out water. The maker also states that a well-designed earplug can offer protection comparable to or exceeding earmuffs at most frequencies, so earmuffs are not automatically the stronger option.
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