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Get plugged in to ear protection
The working parts of the ear form one of the most complex organs of the human body. Because of their fragility, ear parts are susceptible to damage and discomfort during many ordinary activities, including swimming, air travel, and excessively noisy situations.
Ear plugs are a cheap, effective means of protecting the ear from these perils. When used regularly, ear plugs can prevent serious damage to the ear from sound. They can also provide comfort to children and adults when flying on airplanes. Ear plugs are also an important means preventing infection of the ear caused by water and waterborne organisms.
The following sections tell how to effectively choose and use ear plugs. Something as simple as inserting an ear plug can go a long way toward preventing injury and aggravation.
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Use It or Lose It
One golden rule exists for ear plugs of all types: choose a model you like well enough to use. You can like an ear plug for any reason -- comfort, price, looks -- it really doesn't matter. Just like it enough to put it in your ear. The most effective ear plug is the one that gets used not just some of the time, but all of the time it's needed.
Steps To Prevent Hearing Loss
Nearly 30 million Americans have hearing loss. For adults, excessive noise is one of the main contributing factors. Lost hearing usually can't be recovered, but it can almost always be prevented.
Yet recent studies demonstrate a disturbing increase in hearing loss among children. And one-third of workers exposed to dangerous noise levels do not use hearing protection. Why? Many people fail to wear hearing protection because they are unaware that their work environment is above the safe noise level. Some people believe they grow "accustomed" to sound levels, thinking loud noise can do them no more harm. But each and every exposure to excessively loud noise results in more hearing loss.
Keeping Water Out of Your Ears
Waterproof ear plugs help prevent outer ear infections, also known as swimmer's ear or otitis externa. When water remains in the outer ear canal, it provides an ideal growing environment for infecting microorganisms. Bugs and foreign objects can also become lodged in the area and cause serious problems. Outer ear infections cause redness and itching of the ear canal, pain, discharge, and even hearing loss.
Two main types of water ear plugs are available: wax plugs and custom-fit "elastomeric" (or silicone rubber) plugs. The custom-fit plugs are often created for people who always require ear protection. Doctors debate which kind of plug works best. Studies show that wax plugs work as well, if not better, than custom ear plugs, despite the considerably higher price of the custom-made plugs. But if you feel that custom-fit plugs would be more comfortable and encourage you to use them, talk with your doctor about getting fitted for some.
Alternatives to Ear Plugs
Ear plug alternatives including the following:
Options in water protection
- Shower cap: one study has suggested the use of a jejunostomy shower cap (the Dansac Mini Cap) for people with trouble with repeated ear problems.
- Ear band: the Ear Band-It is a neoprene headband-like device worn to help hold wax ear plugs in place during water activity. It may be useful for children and adults with ear tubes who want extra protection.
- Ear drops: if you believe water is trapped in your ears, you can use an over-the-counter antiseptic ear drop like Aqua Ear, Ear Magic, or Swim Ear. However, talk with your doctor or ear doctor before using these drops, especially if you have a history of ear problems.
Options in sound protection
- Earmuffs: fit over the entire outer ear and are held in place by an adjustable band over the top of the head. Earmuffs are as effective as ear plugs but work best against high-pitched sounds, which is why people working around jet planes wear them. Earmuffs can be used along with ear plugs to provide extra protection.
- Active noise reduction (ANR): electronic ear muffs detect loud sounds and invert the sound waves through the headset speaker, causing the sound waves to cancel each other out. This developing technology may become more effective and affordable in coming years.
Options in barotrauma (airplane-related ear pain) prevention
- When pressure builds up in the ears, gently blowing out with the mouth closed and nose plugged may help equalize the air pressure between the middle ear and the flight cabin. Don't blow too hard or ear damage could result.
- Taking a half-tablet (or 120 mg) of the decongestant pseudoephedrine (generic for Sudafed) at least 30 minutes before flying may help decrease ear pain and discomfort associated with air travel.
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Approved Uses
Ear plugs protect against water, sound, and air pressure changes (as experienced in air travel). Each type of plug is designed specifically for that purpose. For example, some water plugs even have metal pins embedded within them to transmit sound, not prevent it. Ear plugs used for sound protection usually aren't watertight. So ear plugs meant for swimming should not be used for protection against loud noises, and vice versa.
Water Protection
Ear plugs help prevent infection caused by water entering into the ear. This is especially important for the 700,000-plus people in the United States every year who have tubes placed in their ears. They are susceptible to middle ear infection, since contaminated water can easily bypass the eardrum.
Other medical conditions placing people at risk for middle ear infection:
- Perforated tympanic membranes
- Radical mastoidectomy (a surgery involving removal of a skull-base bone)
- Chronic otitis externa
- Radiotherapy to the head and/or neck
In a four-month study among people at high risk for developing ear infection from water, only those who did not follow instructions on the correct use of ear plugs suffered infection, while those who used ear plugs had no infections.
Noise Protection
You should seriously consider wearing ear plugs during the following activities:
- Loud work environments
- Rock concerts
- Power tool use
- Loud yard tool use
- Firearm use
Air Travel
Some people, especially children, have painful earaches during air travel due to changes in air pressure that stress the eardrum -- a phenomenon called barotrauma or barotitis. Barotrauma can be worsened by a cold or allergies, since these can cause blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube that equalizes pressure between your middle ear and your surroundings). Though this type of barotrauma usually passes after a few minutes, some people find ear plugs helpful in slowing air pressure changes. Some ear plugs contain sponge-like ceramic cores that allow the Eustachian tube time to adjust to the cabin pressure. Ear plugs need only be worn during take-off and landing to provide benefit.
Inserting Earplugs
- For spongy foam-type plugs, first roll the plug between your fingers. Then, while the plug is still compacted, place it in the outer ear canal. Hold it there for a few seconds while the material re-expands, forming a tight seal.
- For waterproof ear plugs, be sure that the plug forms a watertight seal. Do not use below 10 feet (3 meters) of water.
- For plugs used to prevent barotrauma during airplane flights, insert the plugs during take-off and landing. They should not be necessary while the plane maintains a steady altitude.
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Talk To Your Doctor About Using or Do Not Use ...
- Do not use dirty or wet ear plugs -- they can bring infectious material into the ear. Avoid contaminating ear plugs with dirty fingers.
- Do not use water ear plugs for sound protection. Do not use sound ear plugs for water protection.
- Discontinue using your ear plug if you have persistent or severe itchiness or discomfort. If this occurs, talk with your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor before using over-the-counter antiseptic ear drops to remove trapped water, especially if you have had ear problems in the past.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
American Academy of Otolaryngology
Head and Neck Surgery
One Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3357 USA
(703) 836-4444
entnet@aol.com
Virtual Hospital
Mellen Medical Products, Inc.
15 Pecunit Street
Canton, MA 02021
(800) 649-4372
natural@ultranet.com
Ear Band-It
Sources & Further Reading
Books
Fauci, Anthony J. et. al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, eds. York: McGraw-Hill, 1998.
Tierney, LM, McPhee, SJ, and Papadakis, MA. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, eds. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1999.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
Axelsson, K, Axelsson, A, Jonsson, A. "Aspects on Personal Noise Protection." Scandinavian Audiology 7(1978):247-53.
Cullen, JR. "Swimming with Earplugs: Are They Worthwhile?" Clinical Otolaryngology 13(1998):231-3.
Johnson, DW, Mathog, RH, Maisel, RH. "Tympanostomy Tube Protection with Earplugs." Archives Of Otolaryngology 103(1977):377-80.
Johnson, DW, Maisel, RH. "Objective Evaluation of Earplugs for the Control of Water-Borne Infection." Annals Of Otology, Rhinology And Laryngology 90(1981):89-93 Pt 1.
Jones, JS, Sheffield, W, White, LJ, Bloom, MA. "A Double-Blind Comparison Between Oral Pseudoephedrine and Topical Oxymetazoline in the Prevention of Barotrauma During Air Travel." American Journal Of Emergency Medicine 16(1998):262-4.
Lusk, SL. "Noise Exposures." Aaohn Journal 45(1997):397-408.
Madsen, EF, Larsen, J, Flink, PO. ["Itching in the External Ear--A Side Effect of Earplugs."] Ugeskrift For Laeger 153(1991): 2125-8.
Matschke, RG, Lehnert, H, Veit, I, Andresen, U. ["Protection for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Using Active Hearing Protection Systems."] Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie 70(1991):586-93.
Robinson, AC. "Evaluation for Waterproof Ear Protectors in Swimmers." Journal Of Laryngology And Otology 103(1989):1154-7.
Robinson, PJ, Prince, JM. "The Dansac Mini Cap: A New Method of Waterproof Ear Protection." Journal Of Laryngology And Otology 104(1990):763-4.
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