Is The Humble Earplug Getting An Image Change?

Could changing attitudes to hearing protection help reduce future noise-induced hearing loss?

Once associated with noisy factories, construction sites and other industrial workplaces, hearing protection is increasingly being sold as a lifestyle accessory.

A recent Vogue Business article asked whether earplugs could become the next ‘jewellery’ fad. It looked at the growing market for design-led hearing protection, particularly among younger people going to concerts, festivals and clubs. Brands such as Loop, Alpine and Hears are no longer presenting earplugs simply as protective equipment. Colour, shape and style have become part of the appeal, with some products designed to sit alongside clothing and other accessories.