Abstract: An earplug comprising a foam composition containing a polyvinyl chloride resin and less than about 5 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the foam composition, is described. The foam composition may include a plasticizer containing less than or equal to about 2 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the plasticizer. The earplugs have slow recovery times from 60 percent compression to 10 percent compression of about 10 to about 60 seconds.

Abstract: An earplug comprising a foam composition comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin and less than about 5 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the foam composition, is described. The foam composition may comprise a plasticizer comprising less than or equal to about 2 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the plasticizer. The earplugs have slow recovery times from 60 percent compression to 10 percent compression of about 10 to about 60 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an earplug having a plurality of visual zones. In one embodiment, the earplug includes a first visual zone, a second visual zone, and a third visual zone. The first, second, and third visual zones each comprise continuous longitudinal color bands each of which extends completely around the circumference of the earplug. In one embodiment, at least the second visual zone intermediate the first and third visual zones is formed of a color which is distinctly different from the colors of the other visual zones. In another embodiment, the first, second, and third visual zones each have one color which is distinctly different than the other colors. Accordingly, the first, second, and third visual zones comprise visual zones which permit an observer or the wearer to immediately ascertain the depth of insertion of the earplug by simply viewing the earplug.