Ear Plugs

It depends on the type of earplugs you have; if you’re unsure, read the instructions provided to see whether the manufacturer advises reuse.

Typically, most foam ear plugs aren’t made for reuse, whereas moulded earplugs can be used again, but you should clean them each time to prevent bacteria building up.

When you’re reusing ear plugs, make sure that they return to their original shape after you pinch them - if they don’t fill your ear properly, they won’t protect you against loud noise.

If you work in a very noisy environment, not wearing ear plugs can damage your ears.

But if you are prone to earwax buildup, over time, earplugs can push the earwax back into your ear canal which can lead to temporary hearing loss or tinnitus.

Ear plugs are safe, but it’s important to ensure that your ears are healthy to avoid complications; you can do this by using ear drops to soften the wax or seeking earwax removal from a specialist.

Ear plugs that aren’t kept clean or left in a sterile environment can gather bacteria, possibly leading to you developing an ear infection.

It’s important to regularly clean your ear plugs and invest in a protective case to ward away bacteria.

You might be looking for the best noise-cancelling earplugs if your partner snores, you live on a noisy street, or maybe you just need complete silence to drift off.

There are lots of different types of earplugs you can use for sleeping, but it all depends on your preference, budget, and the shape of ear you have.

Foam earplugs are a popular option because of their multiple shapes and sizes, they’re budget-friendly, and are very comfortable.

If you want to reduce noise while you’re sleeping but don’t like the idea of inserting something into your ear canal, wax or silicone earplugs might be a good option for you.

If you have quite a large budget, you can get custom-made earplugs that are moulded perfectly to your ear.

Earache usually occurs in children, but it can affect adults too.

The most common causes of earache are an injury, an infection, irritation such as trapped shampoo or water, a result of the cold weather, a change in pressure like flying on a plane, and earwax buildup.

If you are suffering from dental problems like an infected or impacted tooth, it may cause earache, too.