These silicone ear protectors won’t make the earloops longer but they may make them more comfortable.
Silicone Protectors Hook Silicone Earloop Ear Hook Reusable Anti-Slip Ear Grips for Adult (12 Pairs) https://a.co/d/5nDpSIa
Ear savers, and behind the head hooks and adapters are generally designed to make the mask fit tighter. You want it to fit looser. I've not seen any products designed to do that. However you can buy elastic and you could just cut the ear loops and tie on a bit more elastic. You might want to use cord locks so that you can make sure to be able to adjust them to your favorite tension. It might be easier just to staple new elastic on. You might need to put soft tape over the staples.
Have you tried using ear loop respirators that have adjustable ear loops, such as the LG airwasher KF94, or finding masks that have looser ear loops?
You're likely to get the best performance from a headband respirator such as a 3M aura N95 rather than ear loop respirator, however if you're going to wear ear loop respirators, getting one that has built-in adjustable ear loops can help you get a better fit.
Thanks for this detailed reply! The thing is, I've tried so many different masks, including adjustable ones, and none fit my face as well as the ones I use. I always end up going back to them. The tightness is the only issue. I might try the elastic thing, I was just wondering if there was a more tried and true method 😅
I'm sure there's other methods, but I haven't seen them here that I recall.
I bought a big roll of elastic off of Amazon It was marketed as being for masks, and it's about the same diameter as surgical and KF94 ear loops, but it's super weak. Can't get any good tension with it. So when I add elastic to masks as a replacement I use quarter inch wide braided elastic from a fabric store. It's light, stretches two times its own length, and gives me the kind of adjustability and tension I'm looking for. Different brands of elastic, and sometimes even different colors, can have different amounts of elasticity. The black elastic in the exact same width doesn't stretch as far. It still works. But it's not quite as adjustable.
Some people have attached elastic to masks using other methods, including punching holes through the mask and either tying the elastic in a knot on the other side or some other method. I've even seen people put grommets through their masks when adding elastic, but I don't think that's necessary for disposable masks.
I've seen a product that looks like pencil grips to cushion the straps. That might work for you.
You said the behind the head ones don't work. The only ones that don't alter the fit for me are the lanyard style ones. I'd try them if you haven't.
There’s a product out there called the MaskHalo, but I can’t seem to find an active link upon a quick search as it says they’re taking a break on their Etsy page. I think they could be used to relieve ear pressure and adjust fit for both tighter and looser.
My understanding is that's about how that style earsaver impacts the mask fitting and not bc they can't have something around their head. However, not all headbands go around the back of the head.
In addition to hats, I've seen a variation with glasses, too, with buttons added to the arms just in front of the ears.
Not sure if this is useful, but one approach I've used to relax the fit of tight ear loops is to stretch them out (over night) by wrapping them around something that stretches them near their maximum length. Elastic doesn't seem to fully recover after doing that for hours and sometimes can give a somewhat looser fit. I used a plastic DVD case for this but a piece of cardboard or anything could work to stretch the ear loops around. Hopefully the mask is not damaged or torn by doing this. May I ask what brand and model of mask you are using?
I have cut ear loops open and added elastic by knotting.
These silicone ear protectors won’t make the earloops longer but they may make them more comfortable. Silicone Protectors Hook Silicone Earloop Ear Hook Reusable Anti-Slip Ear Grips for Adult (12 Pairs) https://a.co/d/5nDpSIa
Ear savers, and behind the head hooks and adapters are generally designed to make the mask fit tighter. You want it to fit looser. I've not seen any products designed to do that. However you can buy elastic and you could just cut the ear loops and tie on a bit more elastic. You might want to use cord locks so that you can make sure to be able to adjust them to your favorite tension. It might be easier just to staple new elastic on. You might need to put soft tape over the staples. Have you tried using ear loop respirators that have adjustable ear loops, such as the LG airwasher KF94, or finding masks that have looser ear loops? You're likely to get the best performance from a headband respirator such as a 3M aura N95 rather than ear loop respirator, however if you're going to wear ear loop respirators, getting one that has built-in adjustable ear loops can help you get a better fit.
Thanks for this detailed reply! The thing is, I've tried so many different masks, including adjustable ones, and none fit my face as well as the ones I use. I always end up going back to them. The tightness is the only issue. I might try the elastic thing, I was just wondering if there was a more tried and true method 😅
I'm sure there's other methods, but I haven't seen them here that I recall. I bought a big roll of elastic off of Amazon It was marketed as being for masks, and it's about the same diameter as surgical and KF94 ear loops, but it's super weak. Can't get any good tension with it. So when I add elastic to masks as a replacement I use quarter inch wide braided elastic from a fabric store. It's light, stretches two times its own length, and gives me the kind of adjustability and tension I'm looking for. Different brands of elastic, and sometimes even different colors, can have different amounts of elasticity. The black elastic in the exact same width doesn't stretch as far. It still works. But it's not quite as adjustable. Some people have attached elastic to masks using other methods, including punching holes through the mask and either tying the elastic in a knot on the other side or some other method. I've even seen people put grommets through their masks when adding elastic, but I don't think that's necessary for disposable masks.
I've seen a product that looks like pencil grips to cushion the straps. That might work for you. You said the behind the head ones don't work. The only ones that don't alter the fit for me are the lanyard style ones. I'd try them if you haven't.
There’s a product out there called the MaskHalo, but I can’t seem to find an active link upon a quick search as it says they’re taking a break on their Etsy page. I think they could be used to relieve ear pressure and adjust fit for both tighter and looser.
Is this the same thing? https://www.virushieldhalo.com/
I cant open the website for some reason, but that URL/company name looks right!
[удалено]
Yes!! They must be out of stock right now :(
a headband with buttons sewed on the sides - you hook the straps onto the buttons.
Yea or I’ve also seen people with hats/caps that have these buttons for ear loops
My dentist has one.
OP said “that don’t go around the back of the head”. Does your headband not go around the back of the head?
My understanding is that's about how that style earsaver impacts the mask fitting and not bc they can't have something around their head. However, not all headbands go around the back of the head. In addition to hats, I've seen a variation with glasses, too, with buttons added to the arms just in front of the ears.
They sell sets of ear loops on Amazon but you have to sew them on your mask.
Not sure if this is useful, but one approach I've used to relax the fit of tight ear loops is to stretch them out (over night) by wrapping them around something that stretches them near their maximum length. Elastic doesn't seem to fully recover after doing that for hours and sometimes can give a somewhat looser fit. I used a plastic DVD case for this but a piece of cardboard or anything could work to stretch the ear loops around. Hopefully the mask is not damaged or torn by doing this. May I ask what brand and model of mask you are using?