Detectable earplug and method of manufacture thereof

摘要

An earplug (10) including a foam body (14) and a detectable insert (12) completely encased by the foam body (14). The earplug (10) is manufactured by forming a channel in the foam body (14) and placing the detectable insert (12) in the channel. The channel is formed by deforming the foam body (14) using a punch. The foam body (14) is made from a slow recovery foam which returns to its original shape thereby encapsulating the detectable insert (12) within the foam body (14). In an alternative embodiment, the detectable insert (12) is projected into the foam body (14) and the foam body (14) recovers to encapsulate the insert (12).