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Which Earplug Filter Do You Need for Each Kind of Noise?

Pick the filter by how loud your world gets. For the loudest things (firearms, motorcycles, indoor skydiving tunnels, work around aircraft and marching band) we recommend the 25 or 30 dB filter in The One. For quieter settings, the 9, 15 or 20 dB filters turn things down while keeping more of the room in your ears.

That’s the short version. Below we walk through what the numbers mean, how to match a filter to your day, and when a second filter comes in handy.

Quick answer

  • 25 or 30 dB: firearms, motorcycles, the skydiving tunnel, around aircraft and marching band.
  • 9, 15 or 20 dB: quieter settings where you want to hear more of what’s around you.
  • Every pair: also has a non-linear filter in the canal that closes down when sound turns dangerously loud.
  • Swap anytime: the flat filters are interchangeable, so one custom pair can cover more than one kind of noise.
  • Not sure? Call us at (719) 271-4528 or try Find my pair.

What do the 9, 15, 20, 25 and 30 dB numbers mean?

Each number is the rating of a flat filter that sits on the outside face of your The One earplugs. A bigger number means the filter turns sound down more. A 9 dB filter is the lightest touch, and a 30 dB filter is the strongest of the five.

“Flat” means the filter aims to lower sound fairly evenly, so voices and music still sound like themselves, just quieter. That’s the whole idea behind a filtered plug: less noise, more of the world you actually want to hear.

The filters are color-coded so you can tell them apart at a glance: purple for 9 dB, green for 15, blue for 20, orange for 25 and black for 30. They swap in seconds, and you never need a new mold to change levels.

One more piece sits deeper in the ear. Every pair of The One also has a non-linear filter in the canal. It lets everyday sound through and closes down when sound turns dangerously loud, a bit like a safety valve, then opens again. So the system is two parts working together: the non-linear canal filter, plus whichever flat filter you choose.

How loud are the places you go?

Before choosing, it helps to picture your noise. The NIDCD explains that sounds at or below 70 dBA are unlikely to cause hearing loss, even after long exposure, while long or repeated exposure at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.

The same NIDCD page gives some everyday examples. Normal conversation sits around 60–70 dBA. Motorcycles and dirt bikes come in around 80–110 dBA. Sporting events and concerts can reach 94–110 dBA, and a fireworks show can hit 140–160 dBA.

Time matters too. NIOSH sets its recommended limit at 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour workday, and for every 3 dBA increase it recommends cutting the time in half. That’s why a few hours at a loud event can add up faster than you’d guess.

The CDC also offers a handy rule of thumb you can use anywhere: if you have to shout to be heard, the sound is too loud and may damage your hearing (CDC, Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss).

Which filter is right for my activity?

Here’s our filter guidance, matched to the places people wear them.

Filter Color Where we recommend it
9 dB Purple Quieter settings where you want the lightest touch and the most natural sound
15 dB Green Quieter settings where you’d like a little more turned down
20 dB Blue The strongest of the lighter filters, for settings that are loud but not extreme
25 dB Orange Firearms, motorcycles, indoor skydiving, around aircraft, marching band
30 dB Black Firearms, motorcycles, indoor skydiving, around aircraft, marching band

A few practical notes from the bench:

  • Shooters usually start with 25 or 30 dB. Our page on ear protection for shooting has more on range days.
  • Riders get wind roar at speed, so the higher filters make sense. See motorcycle earplugs for the details.
  • Band members sitting in front of a drumline or brass section fall in the 25 or 30 dB group too. Our musician earplugs page has more for players of every kind.

If you’re between two levels, think about the loudest moment of your day, not the average. You can always try the stronger filter first and step down if you’d like to hear more.

Can a filter be too strong?

Yes, and it’s a real thing to think about. NIOSH notes that too much sound reduction can leave people less aware of their surroundings, and some will pull their protection out just to hear properly. Protection that comes out of your ears isn’t helping anyone.

NIOSH also says that “comfort is the key to consistent use” of hearing protection. That’s the quiet strength of a filtered custom plug. When you can still hear your friends, your coach or your coworkers, you’re much more likely to leave your earplugs in for the whole day.

So the goal isn’t the biggest number. It’s the level that turns the noise down to a safer level while letting you hear what you need to hear.

Why does fit matter as much as the filter?

A filter can only do its job if sound has to go through it. If there’s a gap around the earplug, noise slips past.

NIOSH research on measuring how well earplugs work found that the protection people actually get varies widely between types of protectors and between different ear canal sizes and shapes. It also notes that most workers get less than half the sound reduction predicted by the label.

That’s where custom comes in. Your The One earplugs are built from impressions of your own ears, hand-built in the USA from platinum-cure silicone. Because the shape is yours, they go in the same way every time, and the filter you chose is the path the sound takes.

How does Big Ear set up The One for you?

The One is our filtered earplug. Every pair has the two-part, analog, non-electronic filter system described above, and it carries an NRR of 25 dB with one filter installed. Remember, the flat filters are interchangeable, so your protection level depends on which one you put in.

You can pick from three kits:

  • Standard, $224.95: your custom pair with one flat filter set. A good fit if you mostly wear your plugs for one thing.
  • Select, $299.95: two filter sets, so one pair covers two noise levels. For example, a 25 dB set for the range and a lighter set for quieter days.
  • Premium, $574.95: all five filter sets, plus the non-linear filter hole plug, solid plugs, a tactical piece and a case.

The non-linear filter hole plug closes the canal port when things are too loud for you and you’d like more control. It’s a $2.50 add-on with the Standard and Select kits and is included in Premium. Replacement filters are available too, at $37.50 for a single or $75 for a pair.

If you don’t need to hear anything at all, a solid earplug may suit you better. Our Full Stop Super-Soft has an NRR of 32 dB, and the Guardian Vanquisher has an NRR of 37 dB. You’ll find both under solid earplugs.

Getting started is simple. Your order includes a free Home Impression Kit that ships in 2–3 business days. Making the impressions takes about 10–15 minutes with a helper and our guided video, and the return postage is paid. If an impression doesn’t come out right, we send you another kit at no charge.

Once your impressions reach our lab in the USA, your earplugs are ready in 40 business days. Every pair is backed by our 30-Day Fit Warranty and a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects (loss isn’t covered). Because each pair is made for one person’s ears, custom products can’t be returned.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change filters later without new impressions?

Yes. The flat filters are interchangeable and swap in seconds. You never need a new mold to change levels.

Does a 25 dB filter lower every sound by exactly 25 dB?

Not exactly. The number is the filter’s rating, and real-world protection depends on fit. NIOSH explains that individual fit testing is the only way to know how much reduction a person actually gets.

Which filter should I start with if I’m unsure?

Start with the loudest thing you do. If that’s shooting, riding or band, it’s 25 or 30 dB. If you’d like a second level for quieter days, the Select kit gives you two.

My ears ring after loud events. Will a filter fix that?

Hearing protection can help reduce your risk from future noise, but it doesn’t treat ringing. The NIDCD notes that loud noise can cause tinnitus. If you have ringing that’s new or getting worse, ear pain, or a sudden change in hearing, please see a doctor or audiologist.

What if I have ear tubes or had recent ear surgery?

Please check with your doctor or audiologist before wearing any earplugs. They know your ears best and can tell you what’s right for you.

Ready to find your filter?

We’d love to help you pick. Order your free Home Impression Kit, use Find my pair to narrow it down, or give us a call at (719) 271-4528 and tell us where you’ll wear them. If you’d like more background on decibels first, our guide How Loud Is Too Loud? is a friendly place to start.

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