Elvex GelCaps™ are designed to fit into the ear canal opening and to be held in place by the force of the headband. Some users feel that this solution is less comfortable (than the Pod solution), while others prefer the GelCaps. So, as usual it comes down to individual preferences. The GelCaps™ offer 23 dB Noise Reduction Rating, and the attenuation in the low and high frequencies is very high. At 125 Hz the GelCaps™ offer a full 33.5 dB average attenuation, and in the range between 3150-8,000 Hz the attenuation exceeds 40 dB. The GelCaps™ offer a very flat attenuation curve, which is desirable in some environments.
When ear plugs are mounted on a headband, they are sometimes called banded earplugs, banded canal caps, ear pods or ear caps. Banded ear canal caps or pods are sometimes preferred over both ear plugs and ear muffs. In situations where earplugs have to be removed frequently, a canal cap can provide greater convenience. Ear muffs may feel to hot to wear in some environments and earplugs can be hassle to insert/remove and store.
