Radians

I finally got a chance to use a set of Radian Snug Plugs seven weeks ago when I went to the gun range. Upon entering the range I stopped at the sign that said, "Eye and ear protection required beyond this point." I was fine on the walk to the hand gun and fifty yard range. I was fine standing in the environment of the range prior to me setting up my rifle and firing. I should have stopped after the first shot and bought better hearing protection, but I didn't. I made sure several times that the plugs were inserted correctly and continued on. Even though I have never learned to quit over the years I now wish that I had. I have used ear plugs at the gun range in past years, but since it had been several years since my last visit I felt new set of ear plugs would be best. New technology and product has to be better right? I was wrong. I now sit here typing this letter with severe to profound hearing loss in my right ear. Which is the diagnosis of two Ear Nose and Throat specialists. Since the hearing loss is noise induced the damage is irreversible. Although my hearing has recovered some I will have to live with the constant ringing in my right ear. I should have stopped shooting and could have at any given point, but I had no idea the damage I was doing to myself. Looking back I should have tried the Radian Snug Plug's before I went to the range. I have since tested them by sitting at the computer playing a song with them in and it does not seem to deaden the sound much if at all. Radians asked in an email that we had exchanged if there was any damage done to the plug. There was none then and there is none now. I know that it is my fault for my hearing loss. However, this product was hanging in the gun safety section at [redacted]. I do not feel due diligence was done when engineering and designing the Radian Snug Plug and fear this will happen to other unsuspecting consumers. I do not want this to be a recurring trend that other consumers have to live with because something was not said.Product_Or_Service: Radians Snug PlugsDesired SettlementMake them aware that their product has failed a consumer in a manner it was intended for. Do your best to make that evident and known it is an unacceptable practice. The best resolution that can come from this is they either improve or pull their product from shelves. I also hope this will help prevent other consumers from experiencing the same fate as I do with severe to profound hearing loss in one ear.Business Response Radians is terribly sorry to hear about this customer's issue with these earplugs. Radians has sold large numbers of this earplug for over 7 years and we have never previously received a complaint in regards to its effectiveness. These earplugs have been tested to ANSI S3.19:1974 as required by the US Environmental Protection Agency and comply with all related packaging and labeling requirements. As part of our investigation the customer was asked if the product indicated any damage which could have compromised it effectiveness, but no issue were identified.As is the case with any hearing protection product, effectiveness is greatly dependent on both how the product is worn and the anatomy of the user. Per the warning on the package, the amount of protection afforded in the field is often significantly lower depending on how the protectors are fitted and worn. As such different people have varying levels of effectiveness with earplugs of any design.