3M E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1001 Corded Earplugs (NRR 28, No-Roll Foam, 100 Pair/Box)
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1001 Corded Earplugs — NRR 28 Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published 3M specifications and category fit. We did no...
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Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published 3M specifications and category fit. We did not laboratory-test this product.
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3M E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1001 Corded Earplugs (NRR 28, No-Roll Foam, 100 Pair/Box) Overview
The 3M E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1001 corded earplugs are a no-roll, grip-stem foam earplug built for fast, clean insertion on the production floor. Instead of rolling down compressible foam between your fingers, you grip the soft plastic stem and push the pre-shaped foam tip straight into the ear canal — useful where dirty or gloved hands make the roll-down method impractical. The permanently attached cord links the two plugs so they hang at the collar between uses and are easy to retrieve, and the bright color aids supervisor compliance checks.
Protection is rated at NRR 28 (Noise Reduction Rating, ANSI S3.19). That number is a laboratory ceiling, not what you should expect at the workstation. NIOSH recommends derating foam-type plugs by 25%, and the OSHA-referenced method estimates field protection as (NRR − 7) ÷ 2 when sound is measured in dBA. Use the derated figure when you compare it against the OSHA 1910.95 85 dBA action level and 90 dBA permissible exposure limit — see what is NRR and how to calculate NRR to size protection to your measured TWA, and OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation for the program requirements.
These are a corded ear plugs option within our broader hearing protection range. If your crew prefers the classic squeeze-and-roll foam, browse foam ear plugs; if you need a reusable flanged plug that washes between shifts, see reusable ear plugs.
What It Is Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| High-noise industrial work with dirty or gloved hands | Excellent | The push-to-fit stem seats the plug without rolling foam, so workers avoid pressing soil into the ear canal. |
| Frequent plug in/out cycling (intermittent noise areas) | Excellent | Corded design keeps both plugs at the collar for quick reinsertion; fast stem fit speeds the cycle. |
| Sustained exposure near the OSHA 90 dBA PEL | Good | NRR 28 derates to roughly 10-11 dB by the (NRR-7)/2 method; confirm it covers your measured TWA before relying on it alone. |
| Very high noise requiring dual protection | Limited | For TWAs that exceed single-plug coverage, pair with earmuffs or step up NRR; review ear plugs vs ear muffs first. |
| Sleeping, travel, or concert use | Poor | This is an industrial PPE earplug rated to ANSI S3.19, not a comfort or music product. |
Earplugs reduce noise, but the labeled NRR is a laboratory number — real-world protection is lower. NIOSH derates foam by about 25%, and OSHA estimates protection as (NRR − 7) ÷ 2. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 a hearing-conservation program is required at an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA. Insert foam plugs correctly (roll, pull the ear up and back, hold) for the rated seal, and use dual protection with earmuffs in very high noise. See how to calculate the NRR you need.
Pros & Cons
- No-roll grip stem inserts cleanly without rolling foam between fingers
- NRR 28 (ANSI S3.19) suitable for many OSHA 1910.95 hearing-conservation programs
- Permanently attached cord keeps plugs together and easy to retrieve
- Pre-shaped foam tip means consistent insertion across users and shifts
- Sold 100 pair per box for high-turnover industrial use
- Single-use hygiene avoids cross-shift contamination
- Real-world protection is well below the NRR 28 label once derated
- Single-use disposable, not washable like reusable flanged plugs
- Push-in foam tip suits average canals; very small or large canals may fit other styles better
- Cord can snag near rotating equipment where any tethered PPE is restricted
How It Compares
Within 3M's corded foam line, the 318-1001 Push-Ins (NRR 28) trade a couple of decibels of rated attenuation for the no-roll grip-stem fit. The classic roll-down 3M 1270 reusable corded earplugs (NRR 25) are a washable multi-flange plug if you want reuse over disposability, while higher-NRR roll-down foam such as the Moldex 6985 Glide corded earplugs (NRR 31) push rated attenuation higher but require the traditional roll-and-hold technique. Choose Push-Ins when clean, fast insertion with gloves matters more than squeezing out the last few decibels; choose roll-down foam or a reusable flanged plug when maximum rated NRR or washability is the priority. For a tethered rubber-flange alternative, compare the Peltor Next tri-flange corded earplugs.
Specifications
| NRR (ANSI S3.19) | 28 dB |
| Form factor | No-roll grip-stem foam tip (push-to-fit) |
| Corded | Yes (permanently attached cord) |
| Reusable vs single-use | Single-use / disposable |
| Pairs per box | 100 pair |
| Brand / Model | 3M E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1001 |
| Insertion method | Grip stem and push; no rolling required |
| Best for | Industrial noise, gloved or dirty-hand environments |
Related Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the 3M E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1001?
These earplugs are rated NRR 28 (Noise Reduction Rating) under ANSI S3.19. That figure is a laboratory ceiling; expect real-world protection to be lower once you derate it.
How do I insert Push-Ins without rolling the foam?
Grip the soft plastic stem, pull the top of the ear up and back to open the canal, and push the pre-shaped foam tip straight in until it seats. No rolling or squeezing is needed, which is why they suit gloved or dirty hands.
Are these corded or uncorded earplugs?
Corded. The two plugs are joined by a permanently attached cord so they hang at your collar between uses. The matching uncorded version is the 318-1000 if you don't want a cord.
Are the 318-1001 Push-Ins reusable or single-use?
They are single-use disposable plugs. If you want a washable plug you can reuse across shifts, look at our reusable flanged options in the reusable ear plugs collection instead.
How many pairs come in a box?
This product is sold 100 pair per box, which suits high-turnover industrial use where workers take fresh plugs each shift.
What real-world protection should I expect from NRR 28?
Apply a derate. NIOSH recommends cutting the labeled NRR of foam plugs by 25%, and the OSHA-referenced estimate is (NRR minus 7) divided by 2, which puts NRR 28 near 10 to 11 dB of effective attenuation. Use that derated number when planning.
Will NRR 28 keep me under the OSHA limits?
OSHA 1910.95 sets an 85 dBA action level and a 90 dBA permissible exposure limit. Subtract your derated attenuation from your measured 8-hour TWA to confirm coverage. See our guide on how to calculate the NRR you need to size it to your exposure.
Do Push-Ins fit all ear canal sizes?
The pre-shaped foam tip is designed for average to most adult canals. Very small or very large canals may seat better with a roll-down foam plug or a multi-flange reusable plug, both of which we stock.
How do Push-Ins compare to roll-down foam earplugs?
Push-Ins use a grip stem so you never roll the foam, which keeps insertion clean with gloves. Roll-down foam such as the Moldex 6985 Glide (NRR 31) can reach higher rated NRR but requires the squeeze-and-hold technique.
Can I use these for hearing conservation program compliance?
Yes, the ANSI S3.19 NRR 28 rating is the standard basis for OSHA 1910.95 program calculations. Pair the product with documented training, derated attenuation, and audiometric testing as your program requires.
What's the difference between the 318-1001 and the 318-1000?
Both are the same no-roll Push-Ins foam plug at NRR 28. The 318-1001 is corded; the 318-1000 is uncorded. Choose corded when you want the plugs tethered for quick retrieval.
When should I add earmuffs over these earplugs?
For 8-hour TWAs that exceed what a single plug covers after derating, use dual protection (plug plus muff). Our ear plugs vs ear muffs guide explains how combined attenuation is estimated so you don't over- or under-protect.
Written by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. Specifications sourced from 3M published data. Compare the range in foam ear plugs.
WC Safety is an independent PPE retailer and Amazon Associate; no paid placement. Match the product to your specific hazard and follow your site PPE program.
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