Earplugs are convenient for keeping your ears protected against loud noises, but they also serve many people for sleeping purposes. They can make a massive difference for people who live in a noisy area or for individuals who have a partner who snores.

Achieving the Proper Fit

First, earplugs must fit appropriately and be worn correctly to do the job. If you are trying to manage with poor quality or bad fitting earplug, you are doing more harm than good.

The performance of a hearing protection earplug or earmuff is indicated by a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The typical range for hearing protection is from 15 to 35 decibels of sound reduction. With higher NRR, the earplugs provide more noise attenuation, as long as they are good fitting.

How often should you replace earplugs?

It can be enticing to keep using them repeatedly until they're so bent out of shape that there's no chance of getting them into your ear, but that's actually not a good idea.

Foam earplugs are purposely designed to have a short lifespan, and it will leave you in awe when you find out how short.

They should only be used once before you toss them out.

Right now, you’re probably thinking: It’s time for me to get a pair of new ones. And you are absolutely right.

Foam earplugs are breeding places for dirt and bacteria, which then have an open way into your ear canal and could cause pain or an infection. The worst possible scenario is you can damage your hearing.

Since these sounds very unhygienic, you might think you can avoid this by washing them, but that's not a bright idea either.

Even though you'll get rid of the dirt, you most likely won't remove bacteria, plus the foam will keep the moisture. That will make them swell up so they won't be fitting anymore, and it will also create a perfect place for bacteria to breed.

If your earplugs do not re-inflate after you squash them, it's definitely time to put them in the trashcan.

That said, the best plan, if you plan on using disposable foam earplugs, is to find a cheap industrial earplug so you can afford to use them correctly. The foam earplugs you see at the drugstore are almost always just repackaged industrial earplugs, but retailing at a much higher price.

Earplugs with filter

When using these, the earplug’s lifespan heavily depends on the usage of the earplug. If you seldom use filtered earplugs, a set of earplugs might last you several years. But if you use earplugs daily when sleeping, a set will last you for approximately three months.

Hence, check when do you plan to use the earplugs and, based on that, decide how often they need replacing.

Custom-made earplugs

The usual lifespan of custom-made earplugs is 4 to 5 years. Your ears keep growing throughout your lifetime, so it is advised to take a free leakage test every 2 to 3 years. Earmolds can be used daily.  It is advised to keep them clean and to disinfect them for a longer lifespan.

Earplug cleaning

If you must wear earplugs every day at work or nightly to avoid noises, you want to make sure that you are replacing foam one's daily or are frequently cleaning pre-molded and custom earplugs. Overused and uncleaned earplugs are exposed to bacteria and can introduce dirt into the ear canal.

Besides, earwax can cause molded and pre-molded earplugs to become inflexible, putting tension in the ear canal. This can cause ear infection, severe pain, and potential hearing loss—the complete opposite of what you are trying to achieve by using earplugs.

The unwritten rule is to discard foam earplugs daily and clean pre-molded or molded earplugs every day using a toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide plus a soap and water mixture. Wipe the earplugs with a clean, dry cloth, or leave them to dry out in the air.

Earwax

Earwax might seem an irritating and useless function of the ears, but it's actually quite useful. Earwax, AKA cerumen, is produced by glands in the ear and part of its natural process. Earwax lubricates the ears’ skin, protects and guards against bacteria, and keeps the ears clean.

Usually, earwax slips out or your ears, together with all the impurities, without you realizing. But the use of earplugs can stop this natural process and can lead to a buildup of earwax.

Hearing can be ruined by built up earwax, so use certain ear wax removal practices or see a hearing health professional check your ears and have them professionally cleaned.

We recommend you to see a hearing doctor annually, but below are some indicative signs for when to see a professional to have earwax removed.

• sound distortion (your voice sounds different to you)
• ear pain
• a feeling of stuffed or full ear canals
• constant itching
• an unpleasant odor
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• discharge (an oozing substance that keeps appearing)
• persistent cough
• hearing loss

Stuffed Up Feeling in Ears

Using earplugs often makes people feel invulnerable when it comes to hearing. Unfortunately, that is not true. Your ears need to be adequately cared for annually. And above all, you must not ignore a stuffed up feeling in your ears.

There might be no pain involved with a stuffed up feeling in your ears, but that doesn't mean that you should ignore it. Hearing loss is typically painless. If you have that stuffed up feeling, be sure to see a hearing health professional and have your hearing tested.

Even if it is earwax causing a temporary hearing loss, it doesn't mean the effects aren't as harmful to your brain as someone who has permanent NIHL. Hearing loss increases the likelihood of Alzheimer’s and dementia and also has several other hearing repercussions.

Please Note: Just because an ear defender is marked, for example, "Gunshot" - it will still cover other things, like "explosions"