Earplugs Aren't Just for Hearing Protection: 5 Health Benefits to Know

Earplugs can provide a degree of calm and peace amid auditory chaos. When you're trying to cope with loud situations, having the option to tune things out and turn them down can make a world of difference. Earplugs can be made from a variety of materials, including foam, hard silicone, soft silicone and wax. Whether you're trying to sleep, manage sensory overload or simply focus in a noisy environment, earplugs may be able to help. Here are the benefits of earplugs, and how to use them safely.

Hearing protection

Roughly 48 million Americans report having a hearing problem in at least one ear, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And hearing damage is largely irreversible -- once your ears lose the ability to hear a specific frequency, it isn't likely to come back, the agency says.

Many regular activities can contribute to hearing loss. Taking a flight and being exposed to airplane noise; working with power tools; attending concerts; and even listening to music on your headphones can all play a role. Thankfully, there are ways to cut back on risks and protect your hearing. You can reduce your exposure to loud noises by avoiding them, but you can also wear hearing protection.

Earplugs are a convenient and effective form of hearing protection that can easily be stored in a pocket. Wearing these protective devices when around loud sounds can help insulate your ears and prevent hearing loss.

Noise reduction

While protecting your hearing is essential, it isn't the only reason to consider earplugs. Noise exposure can result in stress, cardiovascular issues and more, according to the World Health Organization. Research has also shown that excessive noise exposure in childhood is linked to a risk of worsened cognitive and academic performance. 

Noise became recognized as a public health hazard within the US in 1968, according to the American Public Health Association. However, relatively little has been done to address this hazard from a policy standpoint, and most Americans must rely on themselves for noise protection and reduction. Earplugs can be an easy and convenient tool to help you protect yourself from noise hazards in everyday life.

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Better sleep

Quality sleep matters: It's one of the most important contributors to good health and well-being. Getting too little sleep, or poor sleep, for long enough can lead to an increased risk of several diseases and disorders, according to the US National Institutes of Health. Noise can be a significant contributor to sleep disruption and deprivation.

By reducing unwanted sounds, earplugs can help some people sleep through the night. If you have a snoring housemate, loud neighbors or live near noisy transportation or businesses, earplugs may be able to give you a good night's sleep. 

Focus

If you've ever had to focus on a school or work assignment in a noisy space, you've probably noticed how distracting the clamor can be -- and how much longer it can take you to finish your task. Imagine you're in a coffee shop, wholly zoned in on your work, when suddenly  the door flies open and a group of joyously noisy customers barges in. Getting irritated might be one reaction, but wouldn't it be more convenient if you could just pull out some earplugs and make the noise go away? Keeping earplugs in a pocket or bag can help prepare you to create enough quiet to focus no matter where you are. 

Reducing sensory overload

Some of us are more readily overwhelmed by sensory information – including sounds, sights, smells, textures and tastes – than other folks are. If walking into a crowded space full of chaotic conversation puts you in a state of fight, flight or freeze, then this might apply to you. Earplugs can help with the auditory component of sensory overload. By reducing how much sound reaches your ears, you may be able to bring your experience of the surrounding chaos to a manageable level. 

Some specialized earplugs can even cancel out loud noises while allowing you to participate in a conversation. Loop Engage is a patented earplug that reduces volume while still letting you hear. People dealing with ADHD or autism may find that this technology provides a degree of comfort and insulation in otherwise overwhelming situations. Indeed, anyone who experiences sensory overload from auditory input might benefit from similar products.

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Using earplugs safely

Though earplugs can provide many benefits, there are some risks to be aware of. Constant use of earplugs can potentially contribute to wax buildup within the ear and may lead to bacteria accumulation or infection in some situations, according to Healthline. Occasional use is less likely to result in difficulties, as this allows the ears to properly clean themselves.  

Another consideration is that effective earplugs may keep you from hearing important sounds, like a smoke detector, especially when you're asleep. That's more likely to be a problem for people with hearing loss. Still, if no one in your home is sleeping without earplugs, it might be wise to test to see if you can hear your smoke detector or other alarms while wearing the plugs.

To use earplugs safely:

• Take regular breaks from earplugs to prevent wax buildup.
• Find the right amount of noise reduction for your purposes.
• When using foam earplugs, replace them regularly.
• Remember you may not be able to hear emergency alerts or warning sounds as easily.
• See a doctor if you develop signs of irritation or infection in your ear.

If you don't think earplugs are the right solution, don't worry: There are alternatives. Some people prefer earmuffs, which reduce noise by fitting over the ears instead of inside them. Others have found that noise-canceling headphones work well for their needs. When dealing with harmful levels of noise, the important thing is to know that you have options to help protect your hearing and peace of mind. 

Read more: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for 2024

Like so many other doctors, most people only visit us at our Atlanta ENT center if there is something noticeably wrong. While waiting until you have an ear infection or severe allergies to visit an ENT specialist is reasonable, there are many things you can do to increase the health and longevity of your otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) systems even when you are not feeling sick.

Namely, more people should protect their hearing from excessive levels of noise. We often take for granted the sound levels of the environment we are in. Thanks to humans’ natural quick abilities to adapt, we may not even notice noise levels after several minutes of exposure. For people who work in high-noise environments or attend high-noise events like rock concerts regularly, hearing protection may slip their mind after the third or fourth occurrence.

Just because you do not notice the noise does not mean that it is not harmful. Everyone should be aware of the importance of hearing protection not only for the longevity of their senses, but also to preserve a high quality of life. Ignoring hearing protection can have drastic consequences down the road, the least of which is asking people to repeat themselves.

What Are Safe Noise Levels?

Prolonged or repeated exposure to high noise levels can gradually cause damage to your inner ear’s hearing mechanisms. Inside your inner ear is an organ called a cochlea that houses thousands of microscopic hair cells. These hairs are all attached to individual nerve pathways.

We experience sounds as a result of changes in air pressure that make their way to the cochlea, moving the cells and sending auditory signals to the brain. You can feel this effect with your very own hands by placing them over a subwoofer or bass-heavy piece of stereo equipment and noticing the air pushing out.

Scientists have found that loud noises can wear out the inner ear’s hair cells over time. This condition becomes accelerated as we age. To prevent this type of noise-related hearing loss, they recommend you avoid or use ear protection in excessively loud environments.

So what is “excessively loud”? 85 dB over the course of eight hours or noise levels over 100 dB for just fifteen minutes. Taking a quiet break from these exposures can lessen the blow of cochlear damage, but not reverse it outright. For better assurance, people must consistently use adequate ear protection like ear plugs or over-the-ear coverings.

Here is a sample of typical noise levels one might encounter in everyday situations as provided by New Leaf Hearing Clinic:

• 80 dB — Alarm clocks
• 90 dB — Hair dryers, lawnmowers
• 100 dB — An mp3 player at full volume
• 110 dB — Live music, sporting events
• 130 dB — Ambulances
• 140 dB — Gun shots, custom car stereos at full volume

Without a noise meter, you can predict the level of sound by taking the “shout test.” If you have to shout to be heard at around arm’s length away from someone, the noise likely exceeds 85 dB.

Consequences of Hearing Loss

Extensive research has been done to discover the consequences of hearing loss. In addition to decreased sensory abilities, people may notice a reduction in other quality of life measures. These can include:

• Tinnitus — The name for persistent ringing in your ears. This condition can lead to pain, discomfort and even nausea at severe levels.
• Loss of balance as you age — Older adults with hearing loss are three times more likely to have a dangerous fall.
• Social isolation and depression — 30 percent of people with untreated hearing loss reported higher levels of depression, lack of motivation and a general unhappiness

Protecting your hearing can prevent these conditions from happening, even as you grow older. Keep your body healthy and your mind happy. Ensure that you wear hearing protection every time you go to a major public event like a concert, and use protection every day if you work in a noisy environment like a warehouse or busy restaurant.

To get your hearing levels examined or to find out more about preventing hearing loss, please visit our hearing resource page.