Custom-made earplugs protect hunters’ hearing

  • By Wayne Kruse Special to The Herald
  • Saturday, August 25, 2012 7:34pm
  • Sports

Shotguns, chainsaws, leaf blowers and lawnmowers have finally done it to me. Damaged my hearing to the point I’ll soon be forced to admit defeat and start looking into hearing bleeping aids.

No excuse of course. Did it to myself. Burned boxes of Winchester Double-A’s and whacked cords of firewood without giving it a thought.

But, hey, society put little emphasis on hearing protection back in the day. Plugs and muffs and stuff were limited in design and availability, bulky and uncomfortable, and no one would admit to being vulnerable to hearing loss anyway. It was even considered a little, uhhh, un-manly in some circles to insist on hearing protection.

All that has changed, of course — a good thing — and Pat Webster is here to save your ears.

Pat lives in Seattle, over toward Ballard, but don’t hold that against her. She’ll come out to your gun club, or shooting range, or hunting group meeting, or off-road Saturday, and as if by magic provide you with custom-fit, made-to-order Insta-Mold earplugs, while you wait. One night she may be talking to the monthly meeting of the Northwest Chapter, Washington Waterfowl Association in Stanwood, and the next, doing earplugs for shooters at the Kenmore Gun Range.

No more bulky muffs. No more little foam whatchamacallits popping out of your ears at inopportune times. No more pressure, itching and discomfort as you try to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Webster will sit you down, inject a high-quality silicone preparation (looks a little like Silly Putty) in your ears, and presto! Comfortable, on-the-spot earplugs you can wear all day without even knowing they’re in place.

Well, maybe not presto. The whole operation takes about an hour, Webster says. Perhaps 10 minutes for the silicone to set, a certain amount of finishing work, a clear coating applied to keep the plugs clean and hypoallergenic. Piece of cake.

The plug material comes in a wide range of colors, including glitters, mixes, swirls, glow-in-the-dark or, if you’re sensitive about the whole thing, flesh tone. Camo is a popular blend, as is red, white and blue.

Plugs can be made to accommodate the ear pieces and ear buds of most popular electronic devices — Bluetooth, cell phones, I-Pods and the like — and the parent company offers dozens of specialty options available for military, law enforcement, pilots, musicians and others, both electronic and non-electronic.

Webster says about 80 percent of her work is with hunters, shooters, off-roaders and similarly noisy outdoor recreationists, but that the Insta-Mold plugs are applicable to a full spectrum of other activities and occupations. Anyone who must wear a helmet, for instance. Swimmers susceptible to water-carried ear infections; motor sports aficionados; workers in construction, heavy machinery, sheet metal fabrication, and on and on. And how about those gazillions of unfortunates whose partners are nighttime snorers?

Webster says the plugs hold up so well that most of her “repeat” work is for customers who have lost one or a pair, or have found that the items became a “chewy” for a canine pal.

“I’ve had more than one customer come in with 30-plus year-old plugs needing cleaning and refurbishing, but which were essentially sound,” she says.

The tab for a basic pair of while-you-wait earplugs, with carrying case, is about $47.50, Webster says which, considering you shouldn’t have to buy any more of the disposable products is not a bad deal.

For more information, contact Custom Fit Hearing Protection, Patricia Webster, phone 206-783-9994, e-mail patonpost1@msn.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.