Earplugs have long been promoted to help avoid noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and protect the ears from noise trauma. Many people use earplugs during sleep because of a loud snoring spouse or hypersensitivity to nighttime noises and limiting exposure to working noise or other annoying noises.

Their devotion to the ears should be lauded.  However, earplugs' proper use and the awareness of limitations and attention are also important to your hearing protection. Earplugs are generally safe, but they do come with a few potential side effects, mainly if you use them regularly.

 The reasons earplugs hurt your ears are:

1. Prolonged and Constant Earplug Use

Can the constant use of earplugs hurt my ears? Actually, yes, humans are distinct. The ear canals link the hearing aid of the inner ear to the outside environment. They line these ear canals with skin that have sweat glands, hair follicles, and wax-producing glands. Many people develop ear canal pain or itching because of inflammation of this skin and its glands. Keeping the ear canal "plugged" for long hours does three potentially harmful things:

• It allows humidity to accumulate in the ear canal, causing inflammation and infection caused by bacterial growth on earplugs. Ear infections are usually irritating, but they can cause enduring damage, like hearing loss, if not handled.
  
  
• They strain the narrow ear canal's skin mechanically, leading to extreme microscopic injury.
  
  
• Earplugs will force the earwax further into your ear with time, and this can create an accumulation. It can trigger many concerns like temporary loss of hearing and tinnitus. When clearing the wax, either use ear drops to soften it or have it removed by your doctor.

2. Tight-fitting Earplugs

We also see patients who feel a burning "bruised" feeling from even slightly tight plugs. An audiologist can build custom-made earplugs, which can help to prevent damage and waterproof the ears. It is also possible to make personalized ear buds. A customized fitness creates less pressure and discomfort.

3. Inadequate Ventilation

People who have recurring ear canal infections sometimes get inadequate ventilation caused by the plug. Doctors recommend that some patients with frequent ear canal infections avoid occlusive earplugs altogether. Doctors recommend "over the ear" sound protectors and headphones in this case.

1. How to Use Earplugs Correctly

   The proper use of earplugs will reduce the chances of health risks. These instructions will help you use the earplugs correctly, whether silicone, custom-molded or pre-molded.

   1. Clean or Discard Daily

   Ensure you change your earplugs every few days after using disposable earplugs, particularly silicone. You can use a toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide for daily cleansing, mild soap, and warm water to improve the performance. Before using them again, please ensure you allow them to dry totally or wipe them with a clean, dry rag. The bacteria are prone to excessive dirty earplugs and debris and can be taken into the ear canal. Furthermore, earwax can make molded and pre-molded earplugs stiff and damage the ear canal.

   2. Insert Properly

   Earplugs inserted wrongly won't serve you as well as they should. It might seem a simple task to stuff the earplug into your ear, but that's not healthy. There is a proper way to insert foam earplugs.

   • Roll your earplug with washed fingers until it is small enough to suit your ear.
     
     
   • Pull the earlobe above your head so that the earplug is easy to fit. This is a particularly critical move.
     
     
   • Place the earplug to suppress the sound, not far enough. Please do not press the earplug deep into the ear since you risk damaging the eardrum's lining.
     
     
   • Hold your hand on your ear until the earplug stretches to cover your ear while you are using silicone earplugs.

    

   3. Use the Right Kind

   Foam, silicone, custom, Hi-Fi, wax, vented, and non-vented are today's available earplugs. The earplug you use depends on where or how you will use it. You possibly want to buy personalized earplugs if you are regularly exposed to noise. The noise protection rating should not only be ensured, but custom earplugs fit more quickly and are less likely to cause irritations, which can cause infections, compared to over-the-shelf earplugs. Ensure they are waterproof – whether silicone or wax or if they are earplugs used for swimming or surfing. Hi-Fi earplugs are designed for musicians that enable them to hear the sounds they want to hear. Vented or unvented earplugs depend on the strain to which the ears are positioned. Typically, vented earplugs are used for water sports.

   4. Don't Believe the Package NRR Rating

   The loudness of a sound is measured by a decibel. As the number increases, the noise is higher. More than 120 decibels will destroy your hearing instantly. The noise reduction rating (NRR) is a calculation of the decibel level blocked by earplugs. 33 NRR is the highest rate. The ranking on the earplug package is not as straightforward as it appears. If the box says 33, you can expect protection more along the lines of 16 decibels. The combination of earmuff and earplug can yield impulse peak reductions of over 50 dB.

   5. Don't Ignore Earwax

   Earwax may appear to be an irritating and meaningless component of the ears. Earwax is made from the ear secretions and is part of the ear's natural system. Earwax protects your ears' skin, stimulates, prevents bacteria, and helps to purify your ears. Earwax usually slips out of the ears taking all the dirt without your knowledge. But the use of earplugs can stop up this natural process and lead to a buildup of earwax. It is painless when your ears are stuffed, but it doesn't mean that you should ignore it. 

   Hearing loss is typically painless too. Even though it causes a momentary loss of hearing, it does not imply that your brain's implications are not as severe as somebody with permanent NIHL. The loss of hearing has been demonstrated to have various physical and emotional effects. The probability of Alzheimer's and dementia is increased. Hearing can be compromised by built-up earwax, so use ear wax removal best practices or see a hearing health professional clean and check your ears.

Bottom Line

If typical earplugs aren't working for you – either they don't fit well and are irritating or slip out – consider customizing them. An audiologist can make customized earplugs that will operate efficiently for you.

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