Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-ws8qp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-26T12:33:54.055Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Is Blu-tack as effective at attenuating sound as over-the-counter ear plugs?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2013

G J Watson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust, Manchester, UK
G Trainor
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Withington Community Hospital, Manchester, UK
A E Camilleri*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust, Manchester, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A E Camilleri, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust, Southmoor Rd, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9LT, UK Fax: +44 161 291 4032 E-mail: Andrew.camilleri@UHSM.nhs.uk

Abstract

Objective:

To demonstrate that Blu-tack is equally effective at attenuating sound as over-the-counter ear plugs.

Methods:

Nineteen healthy volunteers had their hearing thresholds assessed before and after the insertion of over-the-counter ear plugs. The results were compared with hearing thresholds following the insertion of Blu-tack. Thresholds were tested at: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz. The differences were compared, and p values of less than 0.02 were regarded as significant. Using a visual analogue scale, volunteers were asked to assess the comfort and ease of insertion of the ear plugs and Blu-tack, and their peace of mind whilst using the ear plugs and Blu-tack.

Results:

Blu-tack was less effective at attenuating sound at low frequencies, but was as effective as over-the-counter ear plugs at attenuating sound above 3 kHz. Blu-tack was significantly more comfortable to wear (p = 0.006). There was no difference in terms of ease of insertion and peace of mind.

Conclusion:

Blu-tack can be regarded as a comfortable alternative to over-the-counter ear plugs for the attenuation of everyday sound.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Stansfeld, SA, Matheson, MP. Noise pollution: non-auditory effects on health. Br Med Bull 2003;68:243–57CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Stansfeld, SA, Haines, M, Brown, B. Noise and health in the urban environment. Rev Environ Health 2000;15:4382CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Baguley, DM, McCombe, A. Noise-induced hearing loss. In: Gleeson, M, Browning, GG, eds. Scott-Brown's Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 7th edn.London: Hodder & Arnold, 2008;3548–55CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Coles, RRA, Lutman, ME, Buffin, JT. Guidelines on the diagnosis of noise-induced hearing loss for medicolegal purposes. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 2000;25:264–73CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Advice for employers. In: http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/advice.htm [28 August 2012]Google Scholar