Moldex 6875 Meteors PlugStation Uncorded Earplug Dispenser — NRR 33dB, 250 Pairs

Moldex Meteors — NRR 33 Bell-Shape Foam Earplug, Small Size (NRR 28) Available

The Moldex Meteors is a disposable foam earplug with a distinctive bell or dome shape featuring a wide outer flange that makes insertion and removal easier than cylindrical or tapered foam plugs — particularly for workers wearing gloves or with reduced hand dexterity. Regular Meteors (6870 uncorded, 6970 corded) carry NRR 33. Meteors Small (6630 uncorded, 6632 corded) are physically smaller and carry NRR 28 — engineered for workers with smaller ear canals who cannot achieve an adequate seal with standard-size earplugs. For a no-roll-down alternative at NRR 33, see the Moldex Pura-Fit. For the reusable multi-size option, see the Moldex Alphas.

Key Features

• Wide bell flange — designed for gloved hands and low dexterity: The Meteors' outer flange provides a large, stable grip surface that allows workers to insert and remove earplugs without the fine motor precision required by cylindrical or narrow tapered plugs. This is the defining advantage of the Meteors design — in environments where workers routinely wear thick gloves (construction, cold storage, warehouse) or have reduced dexterity, proper earplug insertion is often skipped because smaller plugs are difficult to manipulate; the Meteors addresses this compliance barrier directly
• Dedicated Small size for smaller ear canals: Most foam earplug lines offer a single "one-size" format. Meteors Small (NRR 28) provides a physically smaller body for workers whose ear canals cannot seat a standard foam plug without discomfort or incomplete seal. Forcing a standard earplug into a smaller canal produces a loose, protruding fit that achieves far less than labeled NRR — the correct solution is a properly-sized plug, not more force
• NRR 33 in regular size — maximum single-device attenuation: Regular Meteors deliver NRR 33 — the ceiling for foam earplug attenuation — providing effective protection (13 dB after OSHA derating) for environments up to approximately 103 dBA TWA
• Latex-free and PVC-free: Moldex Meteors foam contains no latex, PVC, or chloroprene — appropriate for latex-allergic workers and for industries with chemical material restrictions on body-contact PPE
• EcoStation and PlugStation dispenser compatibility: Regular Meteors are available in wall-mount EcoStation (6707), EcoStation XL (6537), PlugStation (6875), and TouchFree EcoStation (6837) formats — supporting high-volume dispenser programs at area entrances

Applications — When to Use Moldex Meteors

• Workers who wear gloves (construction, cold storage, warehouse): The Meteors' large grip flange allows one-handed or gloved-hand insertion and removal without removing gloves — a practical compliance advantage in environments where taking gloves off to insert earplugs is time-consuming or creates its own safety hazard
• Workers with smaller ear canals (Meteors Small — NRR 28): Women workers, younger workers, and anyone with smaller ear canal dimensions who experience discomfort, poor seal, or frequent earplug ejection with standard earplugs — the Meteors Small provides a properly-sized fit at NRR 28, sufficient for most industrial hearing conservation programs up to approximately 97.5 dBA TWA
• Workers with reduced hand dexterity: Manual tasks, hand injuries, or cold-environment hand stiffness reduce the fine motor control needed to roll and insert small foam plugs — the Meteors' wide grip flange reduces this manipulation requirement and improves compliance rates in populations where other earplug styles are routinely worn incorrectly
• General manufacturing and industrial environments: Press rooms, packaging lines, assembly operations, and other 90–103 dBA environments where the standard NRR 33 protection ceiling is required — Meteors are a direct alternative to Pura-Fit or SparkPlugs for programs where insertion ease or ear canal size is the primary selection driver
• Hearing conservation programs with dispenser infrastructure: EcoStation and PlugStation dispenser formats allow Meteors to be distributed at area entrances across large facilities, with the TouchFree format (6837) supporting cleanroom and food-grade environments

Meteors Regular vs. Meteors Small — Selection Guide

Meteors — All Variants

Meteors vs. Competing Foam Earplugs

OSHA Compliance & Hearing Conservation

Moldex Meteors are rated under ANSI S3.19-1974 at NRR 33 (regular) and NRR 28 (small). Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, both sizes are appropriate hearing protection for workers with noise exposures at or above 85 dBA TWA when adequate attenuation is confirmed for the specific environment.

• Size selection matters for attenuation: A standard-size earplug that does not fit properly delivers less real-world attenuation than a smaller earplug that seals correctly. If workers with smaller ear canals report discomfort or frequent ejection, specifying Meteors Small is the correct response — not requiring workers to continue using a poorly-fitting standard earplug
• Training requirement: OSHA 1910.95(i)(4) requires training on correct hearing protector fitting. The Meteors' grip flange design reduces but does not eliminate the importance of proper insertion technique — workers must still seat the plug deeply enough to seal the canal
• Dual protection above 103 dBA (regular) or 97.5 dBA (small): At noise exposures above these thresholds, earplugs alone are insufficient — a Moldex earmuff or other approved earmuff worn simultaneously with earplugs provides additional attenuation. OSHA notes that dual-protection adds approximately 5 dB to the higher-rated protector's attenuation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NRR of Moldex Meteors?

Regular Meteors (6870/6970): NRR 33 dB — effective attenuation 13 dB (OSHA 50% derating). Meteors Small (6630/6632): NRR 28 dB — effective attenuation 10.5 dB. Both sizes use the same bell-flange design — Small has a physically smaller foam body for smaller ear canals.

What makes Moldex Meteors different from other foam earplugs?

The wide bell-shaped outer flange makes Meteors significantly easier to grasp, insert, and remove than cylindrical or narrow tapered plugs — particularly for workers wearing gloves or with reduced dexterity. The availability of a dedicated Small size (NRR 28) for smaller ear canals is also uncommon in disposable foam earplug lines.

What is the difference between Meteors regular and Small?

Regular Meteors (6870/6970) are NRR 33 and sized for standard adult ear canals. Meteors Small (6630/6632) are NRR 28 and physically smaller — for workers whose ear canals cannot seat a standard foam plug comfortably or without a poor seal. Use Small when standard earplugs feel loose, cause pain from oversizing, or fall out easily.

Are Moldex Meteors latex-free?

Yes — latex-free and PVC-free. Appropriate for latex-sensitive workers and most food-grade and pharmaceutical PPE programs.

Can Meteors be inserted with gloves on?

Yes — the wide bell flange is specifically designed to be graspable with work gloves. This is the primary ergonomic advantage of the Meteors design over narrow cylindrical or tapered plugs that require fine motor manipulation.

What ear canal size is Meteors Small designed for?

Meteors Small is for workers with smaller ear canals — typically women, younger workers, or anyone who finds standard foam earplugs uncomfortable or unable to seal. If standard plugs feel too large, fall out, or cause ear canal pain, Meteors Small is the correct next option before resorting to reusable flanged earplugs.

What noise levels require NRR 28 (Meteors Small)?

Meteors Small NRR 28 provides 10.5 dB effective attenuation (OSHA 50% derating). Adequate for environments up to approximately 97.5 dBA TWA. Above 98 dBA, add earmuffs for dual protection — or select a worker with a standard-size canal for regular Meteors (NRR 33) if fit allows.

What EcoStation and PlugStation formats are available?

EcoStation 6707 (500 pairs), EcoStation XL 6537 (750 pairs), EcoStation XL refill 6538, PlugStation 6875 (250 pairs), TouchFree EcoStation 6837. All dispenser formats use regular NRR 33 Meteors.

How do Meteors compare to Pura-Fit and SparkPlugs?

All three deliver NRR 33 with latex-free, PVC-free formulations. Meteors have the wide grip flange for gloved/low-dexterity insertion and the only Small size option. Pura-Fit has no-roll-down insertion for dirty environments. SparkPlugs have a metal-detectable option. Choose Meteors when grip ease or ear canal size is the primary concern.

Where can I buy Moldex Meteors in bulk?

WC Safety stocks 6870 uncorded regular (200 pairs), 6970 corded regular (100 pairs), 6630 Small uncorded (200 pairs), 6632 Small corded (100 pairs), and all EcoStation and PlugStation formats. Browse the Moldex Earplugs collection at WC Safety →