HSP FAQ (NEW)


We can fully guarantee dBud’s attenuation performance – but the question if dBud is the right earplug for you, will depend on your individual condition and preferences. We don’t quite believe it’s possible to predict how individuals with noise sensitivity conditions will perceive, feel and experience different sounds. (And if we were you, we would actually consider if it’s trust-worthy by any earplug brand to claim that they can.)

We think it’s better that you get the chance to try dBud for yourself, and that’s why you get a 30 days Money Back Guarantee, in case you should feel that dBud isn’t for you. Just please be aware that the guarantee doesn’t cover any shipping and return costs.

These are some of the FAQ’s about dBud and noise sensitivity that you’d probably like to consider:


AVERAGE ATTENUATION ACROSS ALL FREQUENCIES: Open setting: 15 dB Closed setting: 30 dB
SNR: Open setting. 11 dB Closed setting: 24 dB
NRR: Closed setting: 20 dB
THE VOLUME SLIDER: Choose the level of noise reduction and how you want to experience the sound around you in any moment, with a simple slide of a button. All the above measures are based on verifications by two independent acoustic labs, using the memory foam eartips. You’ll find more info about the sound characteristics of the two different volume settings if you click here.



dBud’s closed setting has a noise reduction of 30 dB in average across all frequencies.

Not sure how much 30 dB is?
Will it block out the sounds that are uncomfortable to you? Like people chewing, the tapping sound from laptops, refrigerators and air conditioners, etc?
– You can easily try with a pair of cheap foam plugs first to get an idea. Pick a pair of foam plugs with the same or similar attenuation performance as dBud (avg 30 dB or SNR 24 / NRR 20). Then you’ll get an idea if the noise reduction is enough for you.

dBud is not designed for complete silence and isolation. The acoustic filter smooths down harmful and uncomfortable noise, but without a blocked out and isolated feeling, so that you can enjoy your surroundings – just at a lower volume.

In the closed setting, noise levels are reduced with minimal distortion to the sound curve. It’s a so called flat attenuation.

In the open setting, the lower frequencies are attenuated less, which means that the lower tones of typical human speech go through clearer than the rest of the background noise.

Ultimately, how much you’ll hear from your surroundings is of course dependent on the kind of noise that you are in, and your sensitivity level. It’s probably good to know that the average human speech is 60-75 db, and the noise levels in for instance cafés is often around 80 dB. That would obviously mean that no earplug with avg 30 dB noise reduction will block out ALL that noise – but it can be enough for you to turn down background noise enough to a comfortable level for calm and concentration. Or just to rest your ears from the noise that we are exposed to daily.



If you prefer to just block out as much noise as possible, then a simple and cheap foam plug may be just what you need. But if you need to tone down noise to a comfortable level and still stay aware of what’s happening around you and feel connected to the surroundings, then dBud is a really good option. If you’d like the flexibility of two volume settings, whenever the noise around you changes, then you’ll like dBud’s volume slider. If you’d also like an earplug that is very discrete, you’ll probably like that dBud completely blends in because they look more like earphones than earplugs. If you think it’s convenient to always have your ear plugs in reach, you’ll see that dBud is like a wearable accessory around your neck with the attachable leash and the built-in magnets.



THERE ARE MAINLY TWO DIFFERENT METHODS OF MEASURING AND CALCULATING THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION:

NRR
– Noise Reduction Rating – as per the US standard.
SNR – Single Number Rating – as per the EU standard.

The difference between the SNR and NRR is because of two different calculations of the variations in a broad population. Meaning, since people have differently shaped ear-canals, or they insert and use the earplugs differently – the protection can be higher or lower. The NRR includes a larger variance factor and is always lower than both the SNR and the averaged values.



YES OF COURSE!
dBud’s noise-reduction is certified with EPA and CE marking, tested and verified according to both the U.S. standard ANSI S3.19-1974 and the EU standard EN 352-2:2002.



Two independent and accredited acoustic labs have tested and verified dBud’s performance.

In the US, dBud has been tested and verified by Michael & Associates Inc. – An acoustic laboratory accredited by NIST – National Institute of Standards and Technology. – Recommended by EPA – Environmental Protection Agency, the authority of enforcing the regulation about noise labelling in the US.
Test lab ID: NVAP LAB 100427-0 Michael & Associates Inc. 2766 W. College Ave Suite 1 State College, PA 16801 USA

In Europe, test results from any acoustic lab must pass a conformity assessment by a Notified Body, accredited by the European Commission. Only then can the earplug be legally CE marked. dBud has been verified by a Notified Body during the entire process from beginning to end – from the tests to the conformity assessment.
Test Lab ID: Notified body nr. 1437 Central Institute for Labour Protection, National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw Poland

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