Yes you can still hear while they are in but they also feel like they are letting a small amount of water in and I could never get them to go in right or comfortable.  I think the stem needs to be wider and longer for a more snug fit.  Feel like they are made for children perhaps.

Good fit - very functional - kept the water out but not the voices near me.  Comfortable fit with swim cap.

I use these earplugs twice a week while doing my swim workouts in the pool.  They do a great job keeping the water out of my ears.  I find they are more comfortable under a swim cap if you snip a little bit off the end--the part that sticks out of your ear.  These are great for open water triathlon swims.  They keep the cold water out of the ears, thus preventing that dizzy, off-balance feeling after the swim.

This is the best ear plug I have found since TYR stopped making the rubber ear plug. Those were the best and did not leak, these are a very close 2nd. I have tried almost all of the top brands and none begin to match these.

I didn''t want to try these, my wife talked me into them since I swim 3 to 5 times per week and have experienced water in the ears issues many times. I am glad I got them. They fit me well and keep the water out. I also wear a cap.  I would buy these again if I ever lost them.

I have lost one already.  Even though they float, the clear ones are impossible to see in the water, and difficult on the deck.  Buy bold colors.