aid insertion but this is not necessary fig3 shows the device inserted in an ear fig4 shows the device wherein the device is squeezed 1 and air pressure is released 2 fig5 shows the squeezing pressure released 3 air pressure entering into the bladder 4 from the ear canal 5 fig6 shows the steady state of the device after the air pressure in the ear canal has been reduced with a negative pressure of u2212 2 kpa the transmission loss is u02dc 20 25 db it is estimated that a negative pressure of u2212 1 kpa the preferred target for the proposed vacuum plug would result in a transmission loss of about 15 db the vacuum effect is maximal in low frequencies for which noise from e g low caliber arms fire will be reduced the vacuum effect also maintains the earplug in the ear even with movement of the lower jaw e g as in eating etc the vacuum also keeps the plug from moving as a result of sound exposure on the distal end without vacuum earplugs loose their u201c seating u201d from the effects of sound pressure and become less effective usually requiring re insertion in an alternate embodiment the ear assembly.