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.

How to get earplugs to work!

An earplug is an inexpensive, protective, and convenient way to protect your hearing. It prevents noise from entering your ear without stopping sound waves that would otherwise travel through the air. Although using an earplug does not completely eliminate all noise, it can significantly reduce one’s risk of developing hearing damage and tinnitus from exposure to loud noises.

However, when used improperly, this protection could cause harm or discomfort as well. This article will teach you important safety precautions so you can use earplugs correctly and avoid potential pitfalls such as pain or dizziness."

1.  Earplugs come in different sizes to accommodate different ears.
   
   
2.  Plug the earplugs into the ear canal that does not hurt. It is preferable to use plugs in both ears, to block noise from entering both ears.
   
   
3.  The proper placement should block most of the sound while fitting snugly in the ear canal. When an plug is not placed properly it can cause pain, and, if it is used incorrectly, and stuck hard against the eardrum and causes damage to your hearing."
   
   
4.  Wear earplugs before exposure to loud noises.
   
   
5.  Don’t use earplugs when you need to pay attention to your surroundings-for example, when your alarm is going off. If you wear them all the time, they can become an excuse, even when you should be paying attention.
   
   
6.  Keep track of them so they don’t get lost or dirty. Rinse them with warm water and let dry after each use.
   
   
7.  Use earplugs when you work around machinery.
   
   
8.  Use earplugs when doing yard work or home repairs.
   
   
9.  Wear earplugs at concerts, athletic events, and bars.
   
   
10.  Use them while flying in an airplane, or riding in a car with the windows rolled up.You can also request special noise-canceling headphones from the airline and car rental companies. They block out all background noise so that you can hear announcements and music through the headphones."
    
    
11.  Use earplugs before going to bed. Sometimes you might still experience some noise while you are sleeping, so the noise-blocking design of earplugs helps.
    
    
12.  Use earplugs when they have been cleaned properly. You want to use these plugs even after cleaning them to be sure that they are cleanliness and not dirt stuck inside when you put them in your ears.
    
    
13.  Avoid using earplugs if you have wax in your ears or if they are too long. Getting wax in the ear could cause pain and discomfort when you sleep on the side with the wax. If they are too long, they can cause pain by rubbing on things like blankets and clothes.
    
    
14.  Don’t use earplugs if you have an ear infection. You should be checked out by a doctor or health care provider before using earplugs because of the risk that the plugs could cause an infection.
    
    
15.  Don’t use earplugs if you have heart or blood vessel problems or if you are on medication that affects your hearing.
    
    
16.  Don’t use earplugs if you are having surgery, such as a tonsillectomy or hernia repair. These medical procedures usually require that there is no noise, so it is best to wait until after surgery to wear them.
    
    
17.  Don’t use the earplugs if you have been told by a doctor that your eardrums are damaged.
    
    
18.  Don’t use earplugs if you have a cold or other condition that causes pus, such as an ear infection.
    
    
19.  The best material for your ear plug is the soft, flexible kind that easily adheres to the ear canal but still seals out noise.
    
    
20.  Keep your plugs labeled and stored in a safe place. You should not share these earplugs with anyone.

Conclusion

If you are working in a noisy environment, or if you are going to be exposed to loud noises, then earplugs should be one of the tools that you should keep with you for your own use.

Earplugs don’t protect against all sounds. They can’t block out the sound of a thumping heartbeat or a baby crying, but they do protect against harmful airborne noise which can cause serious injury and impairment to hearing and overall health.

Exposure to loud noises is like walking through fire – it has to be done occasionally in order for your body to be able continue functioning well. Anyone who is required to work in a noisy environment should have earplugs on hand. While they may not protect against all sounds, they can reduce the volume of those that are still harmful.

The best way to tell if your earplugs are clean is by carefully inspecting the tip before putting them in your ears. If it is dirty, it will hurt when you put them in and pull them out because the dirt will scratch your skin and cause pain.

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