“Can ear plugs damage your hearing long-term?”
I am a 43 year old female who uses ear plugs every night. Could this cause long-term damage to my ears?
3 Answers
Wearing earplugs will not damage your hearing. As long as you're sleeping with earplugs that are soft and comfortable, you are unlikely to experience any negative physical consequences. I suggest using either disposable foam, or see an audiologist to get custom earplugs designed for sleeping. Custom earplugs are more costly, but are an excellent choice for anyone using them on a regular basis.
Keep the ear plugs clean or replace them regularly to avoid any bacteria or fungus being introduced to your ear canals and you should be just fine. Angela R. Sieh Ceretto, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA Audiologist Pinnacle Audiology, LLC 6809 S. Minnesota Ave., Suite 101 605-306-4481
Damage? I don't think so. It could contribute to hypersensitivity to certain sounds, but if you can't sleep without them, that's okay. Definitely won't cause "damage" though.
