Etymotic vs Howard Leight:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Etymotic had more branded searches than Howard Leight among hearing protection brands in New Zealand. Etymotic had about 60 branded searches, while Howard Leight had 30. Etymotic made up 0.84% of all hearing protection brand searches we track, and Howard Leight accounted for 0.42%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hearing protection brands, Howard Leight appeared in four of the five answers and Etymotic in one. Howard Leight was mentioned before Etymotic in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Etymotic, about 2 searches for every 1 for Howard Leight
Who does AI mention more?
Howard Leight, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Etymotic in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Howard Leight, named ahead of Etymotic in every answer
Follow Etymotic vs Howard Leight and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top hearing protection brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Howard Leight was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Etymotic was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Howard Leight was listed before Etymotic in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
3M Peltor5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Howard Leight4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Moldex3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Honeywell2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Etymotic1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Loop0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Mack's0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about hearing protection brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hearing protection brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hearing protection brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hearing protection brand in New Zealand for loud work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best hearing protection”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hearing protection for work”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Etymotic or Howard Leight more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Etymotic and Howard Leight by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven hearing protection brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Etymotic, Howard Leight. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Loop | 3M Peltor | Mack's | Honeywell | Etymotic | Howard Leight | Moldex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.8% | 18.5% | 9.5% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.35% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 72.2% | 16.4% | 7.7% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.29% | 0.43% |
| Dec 2025 | 75% | 13.9% | 8.3% | 1.3% | 0.89% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 72.6% | 15.4% | 8.6% | 1.6% | 0.89% | 0.15% | 0.74% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.3% | 17.1% | 8.5% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.34% | 0.85% |
| Mar 2026 | 65.8% | 19.4% | 10.3% | 2.4% | 0.8% | 0.32% | 0.96% |
| Apr 2026 | 66.3% | 17.9% | 12.5% | 1.7% | 0.83% | 0.5% | 0.33% |
| May 2026 | 73.7% | 14.7% | 8.2% | 1.9% | 0.75% | 0.38% | 0.38% |
| Jun 2026 | 71.3% | 16.3% | 9.3% | 1.7% | 0.84% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Jul 2026 | 70.9% | 16.7% | 8.5% | 2% | 1% | 0.29% | 0.58% |
| Aug 2026 | 72% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 2.3% | 0.56% | 0.28% | 0.42% |
| Sep 2026 | 69.8% | 17.6% | 8.9% | 2.1% | 0.84% | 0.42% | 0.42% |
How has the Etymotic and Howard Leight comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Etymotic was ahead of Howard Leight in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Etymotic’s share of searches among hearing protection brands in New Zealand moved from 1.2% to 0.84%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 60.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Howard Leight’s share of searches among hearing protection brands in New Zealand moved from 0.35% to 0.42%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 20 to 30.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand hearing protection brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Howard Leight rose from 7th to 6th among hearing protection brands in New Zealand.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Etymotic in New Zealand fell 14.3% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 60 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Etymotic’s and Howard Leight’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Etymotic
7 branded search terms
- ety plugs
- etymotic case
- etymotic earplugs
- etymotic ety
- etymotic ety plugs
- etymotic high fidelity earplugs
- etymotic musicians earplugs
Howard Leight
1 branded search term
- howard leight
Other head-to-heads among hearing protection brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.