May 13, 2026 Updated June 2, 2026 Steven Eaton

Moldex 6680 Soothers Review — NRR 33 Uncorded Foam Earplug, 200 pairs

Moldex 6680 Soothers Review: Is NRR 33 the Right High-Attenuation Foam Earplug for 100+ dB Industrial Environments?

The Moldex 6680 Soothers carries the highest NRR among Moldex's standard disposable foam earplug line: NRR 33. The Soothers foam is specifically formulated for all-day comfort while achieving maximum NIOSH-rated attenuation — the tapered shape and soft polyurethane foam compound are designed to reduce the "pressure" feeling common in high-NRR foam earplugs. For environments in the 100-105 dB(A) range where NRR 30 is at its limit, Soothers provides the additional margin needed.

Editorial Verdict — Moldex 6680 Soothers: 4.7/5
Highest NRR in the Moldex disposable foam line. Choose Soothers over NRR 30 options for 100+ dB(A) environments where additional protection margin is needed. Also appropriate as a higher-attenuation alternative for workers in any NRR 30 program seeking more comfort through better-conforming foam.

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Specifications

Feature	Details
Model	6680
NRR	33 (highest in Moldex disposable line)
Foam Type	Soft tapered polyurethane
Corded	No (uncorded)
NIOSH Approval	29 CFR Part 11.57
Effective Protection	13 dB(A) per OSHA method
Max TWA Protected	103 dB(A) with OSHA 50% derating

NRR 33 vs. NRR 30: When the Difference Matters

Metric	NRR 30 vs. NRR 33
Effective protection (OSHA)	11.5 dB vs. 13 dB
Maximum TWA (OSHA)	101.5 dB(A) vs. 103 dB(A)
Difference	1.5 dB real-world protection advantage
When to upgrade	When measured TWA is 100-105 dB(A)

The 1.5 dB difference between NRR 30 and NRR 33 is acoustically modest. However, it matters critically at the margin: if your measured noise exposure is 102 dB(A) TWA, NRR 30 (max 101.5 dB) is technically inadequate while NRR 33 (max 103 dB) provides the needed coverage. Always calculate effective protection against measured TWA before selecting earplug NRR.

Soothers Foam Comfort at NRR 33

High-NRR foam earplugs often use denser foam that achieves better attenuation but feels more rigid and pressurized in the ear canal. Moldex engineered the Soothers foam specifically to achieve NRR 33 while maintaining the soft, low-pressure insertion feel of lower-NRR foams. Workers who have complained about pressure or discomfort from other NRR 33 earplugs often find Soothers significantly more comfortable for all-shift use.

OSHA Hearing Conservation Requirements: When Are Earplugs Mandatory?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 (General Industry) requires employers to take action when workers are exposed to noise at or above specific thresholds:

Noise Level (TWA)	Required Action
85 dB(A) or above	Action Level: Establish Hearing Conservation Program; provide hearing protection; audiometric testing
90 dB(A) or above	PEL: Engineering/administrative controls required first; hearing protection mandatory
100 dB(A) or above	2-hour daily limit without protection; must use hearing protection
115 dB(A) or above	15-minute limit; double protection often required

The action level (85 dB(A)) triggers the full hearing conservation program requirement: noise exposure monitoring, baseline and annual audiometric testing, hearing protection provision, employee training, and recordkeeping. Many employers issue hearing protection to all workers in any area above 85 dB(A) regardless of measured TWA.

Understanding NRR: The Noise Reduction Rating Explained

Every NIOSH-approved earplug carries an NRR — the Noise Reduction Rating tested per ANSI S12.6 Method A (experimenter-supervised fit). Understanding how NRR translates to real-world protection is critical for compliance:

OSHA method (50% derating): Effective dB = (NRR − 7) ÷ 2. For NRR 30: (30 − 7) ÷ 2 = 11.5 dB effective attenuation
NIOSH method (75% derating for foams): Even more conservative — NIOSH recommends assuming only 25% of labeled NRR in real programs
Maximum TWA with NRR 30 (OSHA method): 90 dB(A) PEL + 11.5 dB = 101.5 dB(A). At exposures above 101.5 dB(A), NRR 30 alone is insufficient; double protection or higher-NRR devices are needed

The gap between labeled NRR and real-world protection exists because laboratory testing uses trained subjects and careful supervised insertion. In the field, workers insert earplugs quickly, sometimes in poor light, without supervision — resulting in significantly less attenuation than the label suggests. This is why NIOSH derates foam earplugs more aggressively than other protection types.

Foam Earplug Insertion Technique: The Difference Between Full and Half Protection

Improper insertion is the single largest cause of earplug underprotection in hearing conservation programs. Studies have shown that workers who believe they are properly wearing foam earplugs often achieve only 50-60% of labeled NRR. Proper technique:

Step 1 — Clean hands: Dirty hands introduce bacteria into the ear canal; always insert with clean hands
Step 2 — Roll (for roll-and-insert types): Roll the earplug into a tight, thin cylinder — tighter is better for deep insertion and proper expansion
Step 3 — Pull the ear: Reach over your head with the opposite hand and pull the top of your ear back and upward; this straightens the ear canal for deeper, more sealed insertion
Step 4 — Insert deeply: Insert the rolled earplug deep enough that the end sits at or below the ear canal entrance; deep insertion is critical for achieving labeled NRR
Step 5 — Hold: Keep holding the earplug in place for 20-30 seconds while the foam expands and fills the canal
Step 6 — Check fit: Cup both hands over your ears and release — properly seated earplugs will produce a noticeable hollow, muffled sound change. If you hear little difference, reinsert

Browse all Moldex earplugs or see the full earplug selection at WC Safety including foam, banded, and reusable options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NRR 33 effective protection in real-world use?

A: OSHA formula: (33−7)÷2 = 13 dB(A). NIOSH conservative formula: 33×0.25 = 8.25 dB(A). Real-world protection falls between these values. NRR 33 earplugs are appropriate for exposures up to 103 dB(A) TWA (OSHA method) or approximately 98 dB(A) (NIOSH method).

Q: Is NRR 33 significantly better than NRR 30?

A: The 1.5 dB difference (13 vs. 11.5 dB effective, OSHA method) is important at the margin (100-103 dB(A) exposures) but not dramatic. Both provide strong hearing protection in most industrial environments. Choose NRR 33 when measured exposure is in the 100-103 dB(A) range.

Q: Is Moldex 6680 Soothers NIOSH-approved?

A: Yes — NIOSH-approved under 29 CFR Part 11.57 with NRR 33. Made in USA (Covina, CA).

Q: Is there a corded or twist-in version of Soothers?

A: Yes — see 6980 Glide Soothers (NRR 33, twist-in) and 6985 Glide Soothers Corded (NRR 33, twist-in, corded) for Soothers foam with Glide insertion technology.

Q: When would I choose Soothers over Glide Soothers?

A: Standard 6680 Soothers uses roll-and-insert; Glide Soothers uses twist-in. Choose standard Soothers when: roll-and-insert technique is well-established in your workforce; workers prefer traditional foam insertion. Choose Glide Soothers when: twist-in convenience is valued; food/pharma hygiene concerns apply.

Q: What environments specifically benefit from NRR 33 vs. NRR 30?

A: Environments in the 100-103 dB(A) TWA range: heavy stamping presses, grinding operations, percussion equipment, high-speed machining, impact wrenching, certain mining operations. If your measured exposure exceeds 101.5 dB(A) TWA, NRR 30 is inadequate and NRR 33 or double protection is required.

Q: Does NRR 33 foam protect against low-frequency noise?

A: NRR testing includes low-frequency attenuation, but foam earplugs provide less attenuation below 250 Hz than at high frequencies. For environments dominated by low-frequency machinery noise (large diesel engines, HVAC equipment), NRR 33 foam provides modest low-frequency attenuation — consult your IH for specific frequency analysis.

Q: Can I use Soothers for MRI scanner noise?

A: MRI scanners produce significant gradient coil noise (up to 120+ dB). NRR 33 alone may be insufficient for extended MRI operation without additional attenuation. Many MRI facilities use double protection (earplugs + earmuffs) for both patients and nearby workers.

Q: What OSHA standard governs hearing protection in manufacturing?

A: 29 CFR 1910.95 — Occupational Noise Exposure. Applies to general industry manufacturing. Key thresholds: 85 dB(A) action level; 90 dB(A) PEL; 115 dB(A) maximum instantaneous; 140 dB(A) peak sound pressure level.

Q: Can Soothers be used with powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR)?

A: Yes — foam earplugs are compatible with PAPR hoods and half-face respirators. There is no physical interference between foam earplugs and PAPR equipment.

Q: Are there NRR 33 earplugs with a lower price point than Soothers?

A: Multiple manufacturers produce NRR 33 foam earplugs. Moldex Soothers is competitive in pricing; other options include 3M E-A-Rsoft Yellow Neons (NRR 33), Howard Leight MAX (NRR 33), and others. Compare on a total cost (per-pair basis accounting for replacement frequency) rather than box price alone.

Q: How often should audiometric testing occur under OSHA 1910.95?

A: Baseline within 6 months of first exposure at action level; annual thereafter. If a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) of 10 dB is detected, the employer must refit the worker with more protective hearing protection and refer to a physician if the STS is work-related.

Q: What is the difference between NRR and SNR?

A: NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) is the US EPA/NIOSH rating system (ANSI S12.6). SNR (Single Number Rating) is the European equivalent (ISO 4869-2). They are tested differently and not directly comparable. In the US, NRR is the applicable rating for OSHA compliance.

Q: Where can I buy Moldex 6680 Soothers?

A: Available at WC Safety. See all Moldex earplugs including the Glide Soothers line.

Q: Does NRR 33 protect against all industrial noise?

A: NRR 33 (13 dB effective, OSHA method) covers exposures up to 103 dB(A) TWA. Above 103 dB(A), dual hearing protection (earplugs + earmuffs) is required. NRR 33 provides strong protection against most industrial manufacturing and construction noise, but not against extremely high noise sources (shot blasting >110 dB, large impact presses at close range).

Q: Is there a prescription or medical evaluation needed for earplugs?

A: Disposable foam earplugs do not require a prescription or medical evaluation for standard workplace use. However, OSHA 1910.95 requires that workers who will use hearing protection be evaluated for any medical conditions that might make wearing earplugs harmful — this is typically handled through the annual medical surveillance component of the hearing conservation program.

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Disclosures & editorial standards
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.

Filed in: earplug, hearing protection, moldex, nrr 33, osha 1910.95, product review, soothers

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