Earplugs are a great way to protect your ears from loud noises, and they are very easy to use. In this blog post, we will teach you how to put in earplugs correctly so that you can enjoy their benefits!
Earplugs are a must-have for sleeping, swimming, and in loud environments. Earplugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it hard to know how to put one in your ear. Depending on the kind of earplug you’re using, you may insert it in various ways. To block or dampen the sound, you usually put earplugs into your canal. The majority of the plug should be inside your canal with a tiny end sticking out so that you can quickly remove the plug. Disposable earplugs are made from soft foam or wax. Reusable plugs made from silicone, plastic, or rubber are also available.
How to Put in Earplugs
Method 1: Using a Soft Foam Earplugs
- To prevent hearing loss, use portable earplugs that can be easily moved between your fingers. If at all feasible, try them on your hands before purchasing. Because soft foam earplugs are non-recyclable, buying in bulk is suggested. The plugs should be smaller and rounded on one edge to make inserting them into your ears easier.
- Wash your hands. Make sure you wash your hands before handling earplugs. You don’t want dirt and germs to get into your ears. Before putting in earplugs, clean your hands with soap and water.
- Hold the earplug in your hand and roll it between your thumb and index finger. You want to convert the earplug into a snake shape. This will make it smaller, allowing for easy insertion into the ear. The foam will return to its original form once it’s been inserted inside your ear, muffling the sound. If the earplug is rather thick, you may carefully roll it between your hands instead. Make sure you’re just thinning out the earplug lengthwise rather than rolling it up into a ball; otherwise, you risk shortening it.
- Stretch your ear up and back with the hand not holding the earplug. With your free hand, grab the top of your ear. Stretch it just a bit upward and backward. This will open up your ear a little, allowing you to insert your earplug more easily.
- Don’t tug too hard. It is sufficient to simply pull gently on your earlobe in order for the earplug to fit properly.
- Take the earplug out of its packaging and lay it flat on a clean surface. Insert the earplug, being careful not to push too hard or pull excessively. With your ear canal slightly expanded, gently insert the plug in to your ear canal. It should slide in without much effort once your ear canal is a little stretched. Do not force the plug inside; instead, let it fall naturally into position as you move your hands closer together. There should be sufficient outside of the canal portion of the foam body that you can easily grip with your fingertips while most of it is still inside the canal.
- For 20 – 30 seconds, keep the plug in position with your fingertips. The foam will expand as a result of this, blocking sound from entering your ear canal. Count slowly to 20 or 30 while holding the plug in place.
Note: Listen to yourself talk to see whether the plug is producing sound. You should sound muffled, as should everything else in the vicinity. Expect it to minimize the noise, not silence it completely. If the plug doesn’t work, you may need to try a different type of plug or possibly smaller ones. The majority of the foam body should be in your ear canal by the end of this process. If the foam isn’t sealing sound out properly, you may need to try again.
Method 2: Using a Pre-molded Reusable Earplugs
- Make sure you get the correct size earplugs. If you use earplugs a lot, it might be worth it to invest in reusable ones. You can reuse silicone, plastic, or rubber plugs if you clean them properly. However, first, you must determine your measurement. Some reusable plastic earplugs are sometimes marketed as “one size fits all,” while others come in sizes ranging from small to big. To begin, try a “one size fits all.” You may have to experiment with different sizes until you discover the right one for your ears.
- Depending on your hearing loss, you may require a different-sized plug for each ear. This isn’t uncommon, so don’t be upset if you have to buy 2 distinct types of plugs. It’s possible that buying a few sets of size 6 and 8 plugs is a good idea before trying anything.
- Read the instructions first. Read the usage guidelines supplied with your package carefully before inserting a reusable earplug. Inserting reusable earplugs has several variations, depending on the form of your plugs. The procedure of inserting a reusable plug is mostly similar; however, you should review your instructions for any unique concerns regarding your specific type of plug.
- With your left hand, pull your ear up and back to correct the shape of your ear canal. With one hand, reach over your head. Grasp the top of your ear and pull it up and backward. This will slightly open up your ear, making inserting the plug simpler.
- Insert the plug with a rocking motion. Insert the earplug using a gentle, rocking motion once your eardrum has expanded. Rock the plug back and forth to gently push it into the canal. Continue pushing until you’ve walled off the ear canal.
- Make sure you don’t push the plug all the way in. When removing the plug, most of it should be in the canal, but it should still be readily accessible with your fingertips.
- If you still have sound after fitting the plug, you may have done it incorrectly. Try again following the instructions manual if this is the case. If your plug does not work after a second try, it’s possible that you need a different size.
Method 3: Using a Moldable Wax and Silicone Earplugs
- Remove the cotton wrapping from the earplugs before using them. Wax earplugs are packed in little balls of cotton and surrounded by wax. Before using it, remove the cotton with your fingers. Pull away from the cloth as you roll the ball between your thumb and index finger with one hand. With your other hand, continue to spin the wax ball while pulling away from the cotton until it is all removed.
- To make wax soft, enclose it in your hand for 40 seconds. Soften the ball of wax by taking a break. This is simple to accomplish by grasping the ball in your hand for roughly 40 seconds. The ball should become softer and stickier as a result of this procedure.
- Make a cone out of the ball. Wrap your thumb and forefinger around the ball. Pinching the top of the ball with your other hand, continue to pinch while rotating the ball with your other hand. The wax should now form a rounded cone shape.
- Remove your hair from your face and away from your ears. Given how sticky these plugs are, it’s critical to keep your hair out of the way. If you have long hair, you may want to tie it back before attempting to insert the earplug.
- Remove from its inner packaging and remove the plastic cap. Place it fully into your ear canal, with a tiny protrusion sticking out of it. Apply pressure to the plug’s end, spreading it over your ear canal to create a seal. Outside sound should be effectively muffled as a result of this procedure.
Also, read Best Industrial Earplugs, Reusable Earplugs, How to Clean Earplugs, Do shooting earplugs work? Why You Should Never Fire A Gun Without Ear Defenders