Percussive Filters FAQ’s

PERCUSSIVE FILTERS FAQ’S

Q: I HAVE A COMFORTABLE MOLD, BUT CAN STILL SURROUNDING NOISE?
A: If you think you have a good mold and just need more noise isolation, move up to a larger size of foam tips.

Q: WHAT SIZE OF FOAM TIPS CAME IN THE PACKAGE?
A: The small, medium and large foam tips came in the package.

Q: WHAT IF ONE SIDE FITS BETTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE?
A: If you find that one ear fits better than another, sometimes each side can require a different size of tip. Use any combination needed to ensure a great fit. (Example would be a small foam tip in the right ear and medium foam or silicone in the left ear).

Q: WHICH TIP DO I USE FOR MOLDING, THE FOAM, OR THE SILICONE?
A: Use the silicone tip for molding.

Q: WHAT SIZE TIP DO I USE FOR MOLDING?
A: Start with a silicone tip that is a size smaller than you need. This makes it easier to get into your ear and start molding. After the mold is cooled, swap out the tips for the size the fits you best.

Q: HOW LONG DO I LET THE MOLD COOL IN MY EAR?
A: Leave the mold in the ears for 5 minutes.

Q: THE MOLD SEEMS UNCOMFORTABLE AFTER A FEW HOURS OF USE, HOW CAN I MAKE THEM MORE COMFORTABLE?
A: If the molding material goes under the folds or ridges of your ear it can become uncomfortable. Remold the earplugs and make sure that all of the molding material is contained in just the concha (bowl) of the ear.

Q: CAN I SMOOTH THE SHARP EDGES AFTER MOLDING?
A: Yes, put the mold in the hot water for 2-3 minutes and smooth the molding material just around the sharp edges with your fingers.

Q: CAN I CLEAN THE PERCUSSIVE FILTERS?
A: When the foam tips get dirty, replace them with a clean pair. When the silicone tips or molded
plastic earpieces get dirty, wash them with mild soap and warm water, then rinse them well. Make
sure to remove the filter from the earpiece before washing. Look closely at your earpieces each time you wear them. Examine the Earpieces before putting them in your ears. For both foam and silicone ear tips, if you see a tear or other damage, throw the tips away and get a new pair.

Q: WHAT DIRECTION DO THE EAR CANALS GO?
A: For most people, the ear canal goes forward (toward the eyes), so angling the earplug forward will help improve fit and sound isolation. However, each ear canal might angle differently, so the
finished Earplug may look different from each ear.

Q: I HAVE VERY SMALL EARS, WILL THESE WORK FOR ME?
A: If you have small ears, you can trim the mold down a little with scissors after it is heated. After
heating the earplug molds, trim excess molding material off of the top and then put the mold back in the hot water for 1-2 minutes. This will make the edges softer for the molding process.

Q: I HAVE LARGE EARS, WILL THESE WORK FOR ME?
A: If you have large ears, try to create more of a shell than a plug—this helps cover the concha (bowl) of the ear.

Q: AFTER MOLDING AND MOVING UP A SIZE OF FOAM TIPS, WHAT IF I STILL NEED BETTER NOISE ISOLATION?
A: You can use a bite block while molding—this opens the ear canals and allows the material to get a little deeper.

Q: WHAT IS A BITE BLOCK?
A: A bite block is something that holds your jaw open 1-2", it opens your ear canals and lets the tips get a little deeper. When you close your mouth the ear canal tightens over the tip and you get a little better seal. Keep the bite block in until the molds are cooled and you remove the molds.

Q: I HAVE PIERCINGS IN THE CONCHA OF MY EAR, CAN I USE THESE?
A: We recommend that you do not mold with any in-ear piercings. The piercings must be removed before molding as the molding material may adhere to the piercings.

Q: CAN I USE THESE PERCUSSIVE FILTERS AT AN INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE?
A: For indoor range use, we recommend doubling up on ear protection.

Q: CAN I USE THESE PERCUSSIVE FILTERS WITH A LANYARD?
A: Yes, they are compatible with the Filter Lanyard.

Q: HOW DO I TEST MY FILTERS?
A: Always check your custom filters before entering the gun range or any other loud environment. Be sure that once the filters are in place, that you allow one to two minutes for the foam tips to fully expand and seal the ear canal. Test your filters in progressively louder environments. You can do this by gradually increasing your noise exposure into a loud environment.

Q: HOW DO THE PERCUSSIVE FILTERS WORK?
A: Decibullz Custom Molded Percussive Filters protect users from the peak sound pressure of
gunshots, artillery fire, and explosions; suppressing them to safe levels and protecting users from
potential long-term hearing damage.
Developed for shooting and military use, Decibullz Percussive Filters feature optimum protection from high-level impulse and percussive sounds. The filters are ANSI IPIL certified up to 166 dB. When no damaging noise is present, Decibullz Filters provide a low attenuation which permits voice and ambient noise to be heard. This allows for situational awareness, not available with traditional hearing protection.

Q: DO I NEED BATTERIES FOR THE FILTERS?
A: No Batteries are Needed.
Unlike electronic hearing protection, Decibullz Percussive Filters retain sound directionality and
spatiality. This is crucial in hunting and combat situations. The filters also allow air to enter the ear, decreasing ear canal irritation. Its small size in combination with Decibullz Thermo-fit earpieces easily fit under communications headsets and earmuffs and makes them ideal for all-day use, with no batteries needed.

Q: CAN I USE JUST THE FILTERS FOR HEARING PROTECTION?
A: By itself, the filters are not hearing protection. These filters will only provide you with the indicated damping if they are correctly placed in our Custom Molds and used with the canal tips.