3M E-A-R UltraFit 340-4002 Corded Earplugs - NRR 27 (Reusable Triple-Flange, 50 Pair)
$112.94
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EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M E-A-R UltraFit 340-4002 Corded Earplugs — NRR 27 Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published 3M specifications and category fit. We did no...
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EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M E-A-R UltraFit 340-4002 Corded Earplugs — NRR 27
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 UltraFit 340-4002 Corded Earplugs - NRR 27 (Reusable Triple-Flange, 50 Pair) Overview
The 3M E-A-R UltraFit 340-4002 corded earplugs are a reusable, pre-molded triple-flange plug rated NRR 27 (ANSI S3.19) and supplied 50 pair per box. Unlike foam plugs, the flanged tip seals on insertion with no roll-down or warm-up wait, and the permanent cord keeps both plugs together around the neck between uses. The soft, washable polymer body lets a worker reuse a single pair across multiple shifts, which lowers per-day cost versus single-use foam in lower-to-moderate noise.
Treat the NRR 27 label as a laboratory ceiling, not a guarantee. OSHA's hearing-conservation guidance derates the printed NRR with the formula (NRR - 7) / 2 when estimating real-world A-weighted protection, which puts a realistic figure near 10 dB for this plug; NIOSH instead applies a 50% derate to formable/insert plugs of this class. Use those adjusted numbers, not the box number, to confirm you fall below the OSHA 1910.95 90 dBA permissible exposure limit and to set up monitoring at the 85 dBA action level. Compare flanged plugs against foam ear plugs and the wider hearing protection range, and if you are unsure how the rating maps to your exposure, see what is NRR.
What It Is Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| General manufacturing & assembly (moderate noise) | Strong fit | NRR 27 triple-flange seals fast with no roll-down; reusable across shifts. Confirm exposure stays under 90 dBA PEL after the OSHA (NRR-7)/2 derate (~10 dB). |
| Workers who dislike foam roll-down | Strong fit | Pre-molded flanges insert clean-handed and seat immediately, so there is no rolling, warm-up, or re-fit cycle that foam requires. |
| In-and-out tasks needing plugs handy | Strong fit | The permanent cord keeps both plugs together around the neck so they are ready when noise resumes; see other corded ear plugs for cord options. |
| Very high or impulse-noise exposure (>100 dBA) | Limited fit | Real-world protection near 10 dB after derate may be insufficient. Step up to a higher-NRR plug or dual protection; see highest-NRR ear plugs. |
| Dusty / dirty environments | Consider alternatives | Re-inserting a soiled flanged plug raises ear-canal contamination risk. Single-use foam may be cleaner; flanged plugs suit cleaner reuse settings. |
| Hot-swap hygiene across multiple wearers | Poor fit | Reusable plugs are single-person items. For shared stations, issue disposable foam per worker instead of cleaning and re-issuing. |
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
Pros
- NRR 27 (ANSI S3.19) triple-flange seal inserts with no roll-down or warm-up wait
- Reusable, washable polymer body lowers per-day cost versus single-use foam
- Permanent cord keeps both plugs together around the neck between tasks
- Pre-molded flanges allow cleaner-handed insertion than rolling foam
- Bulk 50 pair per box suits stocking a dispenser or crew
Cons
- NRR 27 is mid-range; real-world protection drops to roughly 10 dB after the OSHA (NRR-7)/2 derate
- Flanged fit is less forgiving than foam across very small or very large canals
- Reusable plugs are single-person items and need cleaning, not ideal for dusty settings
- Corded version costs more per pair than equivalent uncorded plugs
How It Compares
Within the corded line, the UltraFit 340-4002 (NRR 27) is the reusable triple-flange option: it trades a few decibels of label rating for fast, no-roll-down insertion and repeat use. If you need a higher label number and prefer disposable foam, the Moldex 6985 Glide corded earplugs (NRR 31) seal higher per pair. For another reusable flanged plug at a lower rating, the 3M 1270 reusable multi-flange (NRR 25) is the closest same-class sibling. Need plugs handy without a cord at a higher rating? See uncorded foam such as the Moldex Softies foam (NRR 33). Match the plug to your measured exposure, not the highest number, and verify against your OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation dose.
Specifications
| Brand / Model | 3M E-A-R UltraFit 340-4002 |
| NRR (ANSI S3.19) | 27 dB |
| Form factor | Pre-molded triple-flange (reusable insert) |
| Corded | Yes (permanent neck cord) |
| Reusable vs single-use | Reusable / washable |
| Pack size | 50 pair per box |
| Material | Soft polymer flanges |
| Test standard | ANSI S3.19 / labeled per EPA 40 CFR Part 211 |
| Best for | Moderate industrial noise, no-roll-down preference |
Related Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the 3M UltraFit 340-4002?
It is rated NRR 27 under ANSI S3.19. That is a laboratory ceiling; OSHA's (NRR-7)/2 derate puts realistic A-weighted protection near 10 dB, so size your exposure against the adjusted figure, not the box.
Are these earplugs reusable or single-use?
Reusable. The soft pre-molded triple-flange body is washable, so one pair can be cleaned and reused across multiple shifts, unlike disposable foam plugs you discard each day.
How many pairs come in a box?
This SKU ships 50 pair per box, which suits stocking a dispenser, a crew, or a single worker's reusable supply over time.
Are the 340-4002 plugs corded?
Yes. A permanent cord links both plugs so they hang together around the neck during in-and-out tasks. For uncorded options, browse the broader hearing protection range.
Do these need to be rolled down like foam?
No. The triple-flange tip seals on insertion with no roll-down or warm-up wait, which is a main reason workers who dislike foam rolling choose flanged plugs.
Will NRR 27 be enough for my workplace?
It depends on your measured exposure. Apply OSHA's (NRR-7)/2 derate (~10 dB here) or NIOSH's 50% derate, then confirm you fall below the 90 dBA PEL. See how to calculate the NRR you need for the math, linked in our guides.
How do these compare to higher-NRR foam earplugs?
Foam plugs like NRR 31-33 options seal higher per pair but are single-use and require roll-down. The UltraFit trades a few decibels for fast insertion and reuse. Compare highest-NRR ear plugs if you need more attenuation.
What does OSHA 1910.95 require for hearing protection?
OSHA 1910.95 sets a 90 dBA permissible exposure limit and an 85 dBA action level that triggers monitoring, audiograms, and protection. Use derated NRR to verify compliance; see our OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation guide.
How do I insert and seal a triple-flange plug correctly?
Reach over your head, pull the ear up and back, then push the plug in until the flanges seat and noise drops noticeably. A poor seal loses most of the rated protection, so re-seat if sound returns.
Can I clean and disinfect these plugs?
Yes, wash the flanges with mild soap and water and dry before reuse. Replace them when the flanges harden, tear, or no longer seal. Avoid re-inserting visibly soiled plugs in dusty settings.
How is this different from the reusable 3M 1270?
Both are reusable multi-flange corded plugs. The UltraFit 340-4002 is rated NRR 27 versus NRR 25 for the 3M 1270, so the UltraFit offers a slightly higher label rating in the same family.
Are reusable flanged plugs OK to share between workers?
No. Reusable earplugs are single-person items for hygiene reasons. For shared or hot-swap stations, issue disposable foam ear plugs per worker rather than cleaning and re-issuing flanged plugs.
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.
Brand / Vendor
3M
Model / SKU
340-4002
Product Type
Earplug
Price
$112.94 (Amazon)
Rating
3.8 / 5 — 5 reviews
Availability
Check current availability on Amazon
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Verified Buyer Reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★☆☆2.9 / 5· 12 ratings on Amazon
★☆☆☆☆
Don't be fooled by the picture
Please heed the warning on the product page. Product may differ from what is pictured. The ear plugs ARE NOT the ones pictured with the nice thick cord. they are the 3M takeover with the cheap, flimsy cord that knots up. Please be aware of this when you order - Everready First Aid WILL NOT take these back - You order them - They're yours.There is a one star rating because I could not give a no star rating.
Verified Purchaser · November 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★☆☆
Doesn’t come with carrying case
Not as described - no carrying case. Very good sound reduction and fit.
Verified Purchaser · September · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Cuidado!!!La descripción dice que son 200 y en realidad en una sola caja con 100 piezasDaría cero estrellas, pero no me permite
Verified Purchaser · December 1 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
El producto decía que contenía 200 pares y la caja solo tenía 50, aunado a que 3 paquetes venían vacíos
Verified Purchaser · March 8, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Dice que son 200 pzs en realidad son 40
Verified Purchaser · January 30 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
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