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The foam ones that go in ear canal don't cause hearing loss but do push wax back into ear and have caused infections (and a little vertigo)...problem for me as a surfer with "Surfers Ear". Both ear canals were diagnosed as 75% closed about 10 years ago...need surgery when 90% plus closed. Have worn "Macks Soft Silicone" plugs (which do NOT go in ear canal) every time out in the water since with no problems. Won"t go in the water without them...Still avoiding the drill after all!
The most damage you can do from wearing earplugs is if you get oversized rubber versions and rupture or tear your eardrum. Impacting earwax is a possibility but this isn’t a long term damage nor is it as common as you might think. The foam plugs do not damage the ears and can offer greater noise reduction than the rubber flanged type plugs. Down side of foam is they’re disposable. You may be able to use them a few times but you have to throw them away after use. The rubber flange type plugs offer slightly less noise reduction but are washable and reusable. Most noise reduction headphones offer less noise reduction than even rubber flanged type ear plugs unless they’re so huge they stick out like Mickey Mouse ears. In my line of work we stick with the ear plugs for most jobs. Headphones are for those short term visitors to our boiler room or if we’re running equipment that requires double hearing protection (earplugs AND headphones). If you’re concerned about pressure and wax then consider headphones or spend about a hundred dollars for custom molded earplugs.
The foam ones that go in ear canal don't cause hearing loss but do push wax back into ear and have caused infections (and a little vertigo)...problem for me as a surfer with "Surfers Ear". Both ear canals were diagnosed as 75% closed about 10 years ago...need surgery when 90% plus closed. Have worn "Macks Soft Silicone" plugs (which do NOT go in ear canal) every time out in the water since with no problems. Won"t go in the water without them...Still avoiding the drill after all!
I’ve tried them. I have oily skin and eventually they, like earbuds, fall out. Should never use foam ear plugs for water protection. They absorb water and must be thrown away after use. If reused they can have all sorts of growth inside transferred for your ear canal when reinserted.
After getting over a pretty nasty ear-infection, caused by not washing my foam earplugs often enough, I have learned to not be so lazy about sanitizing them.
Yes, I do reuse the foam earplugs and have not had any problems in the few months since getting over my ear infection.
I simply take the used earplugs and put them in a little jar with hot water, antibacterial-soap and hydrogen-peroxide, shake them and let them sit for a while, rinse and dry.
My ears and hearing seem to be fine, even after the nasty ear-infection.
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