An earplug is provided including an elongated stem including opposite
first and second ends, a flange element disposed circumferentially on the
stem and extending from the first end toward the second end delimiting a
space between the flange element and the stem, a rib support element
formed on an inner surface of the flange element in the space between the
flange element and the stem, and a stem component disposed in a cavity
formed in the stem, wherein the elongated stem, the flange element, and
the rib support element are integrally formed of a resilient polymeric
material and wherein the stem component is formed of a semi-rigid
material and is bonded with the resilient polymeric material at the
cavity.