FAQs
The questions we get asked most, answered properly. If yours isn't here, email SUPPORT@DEISTORM.COM — we reply within one business day.
Choosing the right protection
How much protection do I actually need?
More is not automatically better. Over-protection makes it hard to hear speech, warning alarms and machinery cues, and people respond by lifting a cup off — which loses far more protection than a lower-rated product worn properly. Match the rating to your measured exposure. If you're on site, your employer's noise risk assessment should tell you what's required.
What do SNR and NRR actually mean?
Both are attenuation ratings measured under controlled laboratory conditions — SNR is the European standard, NRR the American. They tell you what a product can achieve with a perfect seal on a test fixture. Real-world protection is usually lower and depends almost entirely on fit. Use the numbers to compare products, not as a guarantee of what you'll personally receive.
Over-ear defenders or in-ear?
Over-ear muffs are faster to put on and take off, easier to fit correctly, and better suited to intermittent exposure and shared use. In-ear protection is lighter, works better under helmets and hoods, and is more comfortable in heat or over long shifts. Many people use both depending on the job.
Will these work with a hard hat, glasses or a respirator?
Anything that breaks the seal reduces protection — spectacle arms, respirator straps, hat brims and high collars all do. Over-ear defenders can still work well with PPE if you check the seal each time. If you routinely wear a helmet and mask together, in-ear protection is usually the better choice. Full guidance is on our Product Safety & Correct Use page.
What's the point of electronic defenders?
They attenuate damaging noise while amplifying speech and lower-level sound, so you can hold a conversation and hear alarms, reversing beepers and colleagues without taking them off. That last part is the real benefit: protection you keep on is protection that works.
Using them
How do I know I've got a good seal?
The cushion should sit flat against your head all the way round, with the cup fully enclosing your ear and even pressure on both sides. While in noise, cup a hand over each ear cup — if the sound level changes noticeably, your seal isn't good enough.
Can I stretch the headband if it feels tight?
No. Bending or stretching the headband to loosen it permanently reduces clamping force and therefore protection. If a product is genuinely uncomfortable, talk to us rather than modifying it.
How often should I replace the ear pads?
Ear cushions and foam inserts are consumables. Replace them at least every six months with typical use, or sooner if they harden, crack, split or stop sealing properly. A hardened cushion can cost you more attenuation than any spec difference between products.
What if the batteries die mid-shift?
Passive attenuation continues when the electronics are off — you're still protected. Amplification and level-dependent features stop working, so carry spares if you rely on situational awareness.
Can I use these instead of a hearing aid?
No. Electronic hearing protection is not a hearing aid and must not be used to compensate for existing hearing loss. If you're struggling to hear, see an audiologist.
Orders and delivery
When will my order arrive?
We dispatch within 3 business days, and delivery takes a further 5–8 business days — typically 8–11 business days in total. You'll get a tracking link by email as soon as your parcel leaves us. Full detail on our Shipping & Returns page.
Do you ship outside the UK?
Yes — across the EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and selected countries in Asia and the Middle East. Import duties and taxes outside the UK are set by the destination country and are the recipient's responsibility.
My tracking hasn't moved. What now?
Tracking can take up to 48 hours to show its first scan. If it hasn't updated for 7 business days, email us and we'll open a carrier enquiry. Parcels are treated as lost after 15 business days past the expected delivery date in the UK, or 30 business days internationally, and are replaced or refunded in full.
Can I change my delivery address?
Only while the order is still unprocessed. Email us immediately with your order number. Once dispatched, the address is fixed.
Returns, trial and guarantees
What's your returns policy?
You have 14 days from delivery to tell us you want to cancel, for any reason, and a further 14 days to send the goods back. You cover return postage; we refund the standard outbound delivery charge. Email SUPPORT@DEISTORM.COM for a returns authorisation number before sending anything. See Shipping & Returns.
Can I return in-ear products?
Only if the hygiene seal is unbroken, or if they're faulty. In-ear products are sealed for health-protection reasons and can't be returned once opened. Over-ear defenders aren't affected by this.
How does the 90-Day Trial work?
It covers customers who used their protection properly in the field and found it didn't perform. You need to have used it on at least 10 occasions across 60 days, claim between day 60 and day 90, provide a usage account and dated photos, and return everything in the original packaging. You cover return postage. Full conditions on the 90-Day Trial page — read them before you buy.
What's the difference between the trial and just returning something?
If you've changed your mind or ordered the wrong thing, use the 14-day cancellation right — it's faster and far simpler. The trial exists for the narrower case where the product genuinely underperformed after real use.
What if my product is faulty?
Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply in full: 30 days from delivery to reject a faulty item for a full refund, and repair or replacement after that. We pay return postage on genuine faults. Send us photos and we'll sort it.
Still have a question?
Get in touch and we'll come back to you within one business day.