Earplugs giving you trouble? Check out these ways to have a better experience.
Earplugs help you get a good night’s sleep and protect your hearing at locations with constant, loud noises. However, you might be experiencing ear soreness, bleeding, or worse if you are using them the wrong way. You can remediate your ear issues by following these tips on how to use earplugs properly.
Discard or Clean Daily
Foam earplugs are the most popular choice, particularly for sleeping or hearing protection. It might be tempting to reuse your earplugs for several days, but it is actually better to discard them after a single use. Likewise, you will want to clean custom or other earplugs regularly to prevent an ear infection.
Clean Your Ears Regularly
Before you put in your earplugs, make sure your ears are clean. Earwax helps to expel bacteria and debris from the ear canals and lubricates them too, but too much earwax can cause an ear infection, tinnitus, and hearing loss. You can keep your ears their cleanest by washing them out with warm water. If you need earwax removal, call an audiologist.
Insert Earplugs Properly
If you use foam earplugs, make sure you are inserting them properly. The three simple steps to do so are:
- Roll or twist the earplug into a narrow shape.
- Lift your ear up and back as you insert the plug.
- Hold the earplug in place until it fully inflates again.
Put your earplugs in the right way, and you can avoid discomfort and lower noise-canceling performance.
Expect a Lower Decibel Rating
Earplugs for sale will have a decibel rating to show how noise-canceling they are. For example, if the decibel rating is 50 dB, the earplugs should keep you from hearing sounds 50 dB and lower. To be on the safe side, you can mentally drop the rating to about 50% for a realistic expectation.
Use the Right Earplugs
If the earplugs you are using aren’t working for you, it might be time to find a different solution. If foam earplugs are causing irritation or falling out, try custom earplugs suited for their purpose, whether it be sleeping, hearing protection, or hearing protection for musicians.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.