Abstract: An acoustic ear plug comprises, individually or in combination, a first element to be inserted within the ear canal and comprising an elongate hollow cylinder having a tapered forward insertion end and a pliant wall of acoustic barrier material on the forward portion and over the majority of the length of said cylinder, said wall being compressible and having compression recovery characteristics accommodating firm and conformable reception of the element deeply into the ear canal to completely block the canal over a significant axial distance, the rearward portion of the cylinder defining a stem facilitating insertion and removal of the element; and a second element to be inserted in and cover the outer ear and comprising a hollow bell of a size to cover the ear, an acoustic barrier wall on the outer surface of the bell, and a shape retaining but resilient ear piece on the forward portion of the bell accommodating firm and conformable reception of the ear piece in the outer ear to completely cover and block t