Earplugs 101: The Simple Science Behind Noise Reduction

How Do Earplugs Block Noise?

Imagine the last time you stubbed your toe at night and screamed into a pillow to avoid waking anyone. The pillow absorbed and muffled your scream, reducing its intensity and making it less disruptive. Earplugs work on a similar principle. They act as barriers that absorb and scatter sound waves before they reach your eardrum, making loud noises quieter and more manageable. This process hinges on two key mechanisms:

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1. Sound Attenuation

Sound travels in waves, carrying energy that vibrates through the air and into your ear canal. When these waves encounter an obstacle like an earplug, their energy diminishes. Earplugs, typically crafted from soft, dense materials, absorb these sound waves and dissipate their energy as heat, effectively lowering the noise level.

Think of it as the difference between standing beside a roaring engine and hearing it from behind a closed door. While the door doesn’t eliminate the sound entirely, it significantly reduces the volume. Similarly, earplugs quieten noise without completely silencing it.

2. Frequency Filtering

Not all earplugs reduce noise evenly across frequencies. Sound comprises high, mid, and low frequencies, each requiring different levels of absorption. Traditional foam earplugs often excel at blocking higher frequencies while struggling with lower ones, creating a muffled effect that distorts sounds like speech or music.

Picture listening to your favorite song with a blanket over your speakers. The bass might still resonate, but the vocals and melodies could sound dull or muted. Similarly, traditional earplugs can create an imbalanced auditory experience, making them less ideal for environments where sound clarity is important, such as concerts or co-working spaces.

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The Material Matters

The material of earplugs plays a pivotal role in their effectiveness. Dense, soft materials are excellent at absorbing and scattering sound waves, but not all materials perform equally well across frequencies. Traditional foam, for instance, may muffle certain sounds, leading to distortion. Enter mycelium—a game-changing material that stands out for its ability to evenly reduce noise across all frequencies, offering superior sound attenuation and clarity.

Enter GOB’s Aerial Mycelium Foam

GOB’s earplugs harness the power of aerial mycelium foam, a revolutionary material derived from lab-grown fungi. This foam is designed for optimal sound attenuation, naturally dampening noise by evenly reducing all frequencies. Unlike conventional foam, which can distort or overly suppress specific tones, GOB’s mycelium-based earplugs provide a balanced acoustic experience. You’ll hear less noise but without the jarring sensation of isolation or unnatural muffling.

This even frequency attenuation makes GOB earplugs perfect for a wide range of uses — from sleeping or working in noisy environments to enjoying concerts or co-working spaces where clarity matters. Beyond their acoustic benefits, GOB earplugs set a new benchmark for comfort and sustainability, making them a forward-thinking choice for noise protection.