Earplug Brands

Question

I purchased earplugs from a local chemist and was disappointed with the quality.
So I ordered a couple of different brands from amazon and tried them out in my cfa exam.

The earplugs worked amazingly well and blocked most of the noise , though it is a bit tricky to put them on.
The brands that I tried were:
1) Howard Leight Max and
2) Hearos ultimate softness series

Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to experience a noise free gmat exam!

rni · Answer

well..they are not exorbitantly priced.. and if you want some quality then need to spend some money

geometric · Answer

I would check out Logitech if you haven't already. They make some amazing ones for about $20.

Posted from my mobile device

rni · Answer

Do you mean 'Ultimate Ears Custom Earplugs' ..they are great but they cost $170 https://www.logitech.com/en-us/ue/custom ... -ear-plugs

geometric · Answer

Yeah, good question. So I actually tried out some really expensive earbuds not that long ago. These ones . They were pretty awesome, but not worth the money IMO. I returned them and purchased these: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-Noi ... b_title_ce. They're absolutely amazing. I use them at work, while running, and whenever I can. Amazing sound quality, they fit right in my ears, and they look great. I'm probably going to upgrade to a headset model soon so I can make phone calls with them. Looking at these: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ultimate ... microphone

rni · Answer

These are earphones and not earplugs.

geometric · Answer

Oh, haha, looks as though I misunderstood you. Well, in any case, I also wear them when studying. They block out basically all noise.

rni · Answer

even i have creative noise cancellation earphones but they cannot block as much noise as the earplugs

macjas · Answer

I have a pair of custom moulded westone earplugs. Another well priced model can be found here:

https://www.westone.com/catalog/etymotic-ety-plugs

The Westones are basically plug types that professionals (such as I) use in our line of work in high sound pressure level environments. However, the $10 generic moulds are pretty awesome too. They are pretty much flat from 20Hz to 20kHz and don't exhibit that 'boominess' usually found with foam type earplugs and are extremely comfortable. A lot of my clients and colleagues also use this brand.

So can you actually carry your own set of earplugs into the exam?

rni · Answer

Looks good.. 
In the website it is mentioned that these earplugs block out 20 dB . Hearos earplugs block 32 dB (mentioned on the pack)

rni · Answer

Yes, you can. As long as they are not too huge IMO .

You can also confirm with the gmac representatives on gmatclub

macjas · Answer

That's true but the overall ambient noise level in the room (typing/occasional walking etc) is not going to be more than 20dB SPL so these Westones will sufficiently attenuate these sounds.

macjas · Answer

GMAC confirmed that you cannot bring your own plugs to the test centre. Oh well....

rni · Answer

Strange! Read a lot of posts in GC and it seemed that it is ok to bring one's own earplugs. Don't understand the logic behind this though. I can wear my own specs ,clothes but not earplugs!
And I am pretty sure that the centre down here won't have them!

macjas · Answer

You can call your test centre once you've registered and ask them about this. At least that what the GMAC rep suggested. You make a good point though...

rni · Answer

hmm..Thanks for taking this up... I contacted gmat support via email to ask about the make/brand of the earphones and surprisingly they are not aware . At least that's what I understood from their response. Have asked me to contact the test centre. Have asked the gmac rep here too..

macjas · Answer

good stuff rni, please do keep us posted...

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Earplug Brands

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards