Buzz
Earplugs serve various purposes such as aiding sleep, swimming, and reducing noise in loud environments. The market offers a wide array of earplugs, making it challenging to determine the ideal insertion method. Insertion techniques vary depending on the type of earplug. Typically, you insert an earplug into your ear canal to block or reduce sound. Ensure most of the plug is in your canal, with a small end protruding for easy removal. Earplugs come in disposable forms made of soft foam or wax, as well as reusable options crafted from silicone, plastic, or rubber.
Essential Knowledge
- Roll soft foam earplugs into a snakelike shape between your fingers before insertion, allowing them to expand in your ear.
- Ensure you select the correct size for pre-molded earplugs and insert them with a rocking motion after pulling your ear up and back.
- For moldable wax, soften it in your fist, shape it into a cone, and insert the earplug until it seals your ear canal.
Procedures
How to Use Soft Foam Earplugs
Choose earplugs that are easy to manipulate with your fingers. Test them between your fingers before purchasing if possible. It's recommended to buy them in bulk as soft foam earplugs are not reusable. They should be thinner and rounded on one edge for easy insertion into your ear.
Ensure your hands are clean. Before handling earplugs, wash your hands thoroughly. Avoid exposing your ears to dirt and germs. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water before inserting earplugs.
Roll the earplug between your thumb and index finger. Roll the earplug into a snake-like shape to make it smaller for easy insertion into the ear. Once fitted inside your ear, the foam will expand again, blocking out sound. If the earplug is thick, you can roll it between your hands instead, ensuring it is thinned out lengthwise rather than rolled into a ball.
Pull your ear up and back. With the hand not holding the earplug, grasp the top of your ear. Gently pull it up and backward to slightly open your ear, making it easier to insert the earplug.
- Avoid pulling too hard; a gentle tug is sufficient to expand your ear for the earplug.
- Using a mirror may help you see more clearly what you're doing.
Insert the earplug carefully. Slowly and gently insert the plug into your ear canal. It should slide into place easily with your ear canal slightly expanded. Avoid pushing it in too far or forcing it. Most of the foam body should be inside the ear canal, with enough of the plug outside for easy removal with your fingertips.
Hold in position for 20 – 30 seconds. Use your fingertips to hold the plug in place. This allows the foam to expand, blocking sound from entering your ear canal. Count slowly to 20 or 30 while holding the plug in position.
- To test if the plug is effective, speak and listen to yourself. Your voice and the surrounding sounds should be muffled. While it may not completely silence the environment, it should significantly reduce noise.
- If the plug doesn't work, consider trying a different type or smaller size. By the end, most of the foam body should be in the ear canal. If the foam doesn't seal sound properly, you may need to try again.
Using Pre-molded Reusable Earplugs
Choose the correct size earplugs. For frequent earplug users, reusable plugs are a practical option. With proper cleaning after each use, you can reuse silicone, plastic, or rubber plugs multiple times. However, finding the right size is essential. While some reusable plastic earplugs claim to be one-size-fits-all, others come in various sizes from small to large. Initially, you can try a universal size but may need to experiment to find the ideal fit for your ears.
- You might require different sizes for each ear, which is common. Don't be surprised if you need to purchase different types of plugs for each ear.
- Consider buying multiple packs of plugs in different sizes to determine the best fit for your ears.
Review the instructions beforehand. Before inserting a reusable earplug, carefully read the provided instructions. The insertion process may vary based on the specific shape of your plugs. Although the general procedure for inserting a reusable plug is similar, it's advisable to consult the instructions for any specific guidelines related to your earplug type.
Elevate and pull back your ear to straighten the ear canal. With one hand, reach over your head and grasp the top of your ear. Gently pull it upward and backward. This action widens the ear canal, facilitating easier insertion of the earplug.
Insert the plug using a rocking motion. After expanding the ear canal, insert the earplug with a gentle rocking motion. Rock the plug back and forth to gradually push it into the canal until it seals the ear canal.
- Be cautious not to insert the plug too deeply. It should mostly fill the canal, but remain accessible for easy removal with your fingertips.
- If you can still hear clearly with the plug inserted, it may not be positioned correctly. Consult the instruction manual and try again. If the plug continues to be ineffective after reinsertion, consider trying a different size plug.
Using Moldable Wax and Silicone Earplugs
Remove any cotton wrapping. Wax earplugs are often packaged as small balls surrounded by cotton. Use your fingers to peel away the cotton wrapping before use. Roll the wax ball between your thumb and index finger while pulling away the cotton with your other hand. Continue this process until all the cotton is removed.
Soften the wax by holding it in your fist for 40 seconds. To make the wax more malleable, soften it by enclosing the ball in your fist for approximately 40 seconds. You will feel the wax become soft and adhesive, making it easier to shape.
Shape the wax into a cone. Grasp the wax ball between your thumb and forefinger. With your free hand, pinch the top of the wax ball while rotating it. Keep pinching and rotating until the wax forms a rounded cone shape.
Pull your hair away from your face and ears. It's important to keep your hair clear of the sticky wax plugs. If you have long hair, consider tying it back before inserting the ear plug.
Insert and seal the ear plug. Insert the plug into your ear canal until it forms a seal. Ensure that most of the plug is inside your ear, leaving a small end protruding. Rub the end of the plug to spread it over your ear canal, creating a seal that effectively blocks outside noise.
