Hearing protection that doesn’t irritate ear canal or make you sweaty

[aikofan]

I just came back from the doctor with pain in my ear due to impacted ear wax and irritation/infection. I suspect that the earplugs I use when I use the vacuum cleaner almost every day (or air compressors, blenders, etc.) is the main culprit, even though I started washing the silicone after every use.

I also have those earmuffs that look like what airport personnel wear, which are great at blocking sound and work well in cold months, but they’re intolerable in the summer because my ears get too sweaty.

Is there any kind of ear protection that reduces noise, doesn’t make your ears sweat, but doesn’t need to be inserted deep in your ear canal? For example, has anyone used the Loop Quiet earplugs? I don’t want to use those playdough type earplugs because they look difficult to keep clean.

 

[Curvature]

Go to an audiologist and get custom earplugs. They will still be deep, there is no way to get around that, but you dont have to shove them in since they will conform to your ear canal.

Ideally they will feature active cancellation as well.

 

[DVDdoug]

I don’t want to use those playdough type earplugs because they look difficult to keep clean.

The ones I have are disposable, similar to this.

...That reminds me, I should get a pair of over-ear-hearing protectors. They are easier to put-on and take-off so it would sometimes be a good option.

 

[woppinger]

I use these disposable "roll-up" Dr. Macks earplugs often, they don't irritate me (I can wear them for hours while sleeping)...I get several uses out of them before replacing

I use Loop "Experience" earplugs for concerts etc. (which fit more like Airpods or IEMs), no problems with them either

Hope this helps

 

[Cecill]

 

[aikofan]

View attachment 463297

These look promising, but do you have a link or name?

 

[Cecill]

These look promising, but do you have a link or name?

Link

 

[MattHooper]

I can’t solve your problem, but I’ve almost found it curious: we are told not to put ear tips at all into our ear canal so as to not impact wax.

And yet advised to wear earplugs in loud environments (which can mean for some people wearing earplugs all day long in their work). But you never really hear anything about earplugs being in danger to the ear or impacted wax.

Due to my tinnitus and hyperacusis, I have worn ear plugs since the 90s quite regularly.
In fact, I wear earplugs every single night.

And yet I’ve never had any problem whatsoever with impacted wax. Perhaps it’s a bit of lucky genetics in that sense - I believe earwax production varies with individual individuals - I don’t know.

 

[Chrispy]

I'd follow the doctor's recommendation more than this group....does it include using anything like this at all until some progress/healing has taken place? You doing wax removal?

 

[wwenze]

Galaxy Buds FE

40dB isolation I believe

 

[MRC01]

Years ago I got custom molds made from an audiologist. Often called "musician's earplugs". The audiologist fills your ears with blue goo (all the way to the eardrum), lets it gel and then a few minutes later removes it. From this they make a perfect-fitting insert of semi-rigid medical silicone that goes all the up to your eardrum - but just shy of it so it doesn't touch and cause discomfort or irritation. Mine were too long so I used an xacto knife to slice them a hair shorter. You want them as close as possible to the eardrum without touching, to eliminate the occlusion effect.

A hole is drilled through the insert and a filter snaps on to the outside of it. The filters are tuned for flat(tish) frequency response and available at -9, -15 and -25 dB of attenuation (choose). The net result is an earplug that is slim (doesn't stick out at all, you can wear them under a helmet or other earmuffs), doesn't muffle sounds, comfortable, with minimal or no occlusion effect.

They are very high quality and last for years. The only problem is that the inner ear is formed of softer tissue than bone and its shape gradually shifts over the years. After 5-10 years the custom molds won't fit perfectly anymore. Then it's time for new ones.

 

[MRC01]

... And yet I’ve never had any problem whatsoever with impacted wax. Perhaps it’s a bit of lucky genetics in that sense - I believe earwax production varies with individual individuals - I don’t know.

I get impacted wax occasionally, once or twice a year. I have tools to flush my ears with hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol, works like a charm. Sometimes it can be a bit gross how much comes out into the sink - all that was in my ear!? Afterward my hearing sounds like super-sensitive radar until the brain adjusts again.

There are other threads here at ASR about safe ways to flush wax out of the ears.

 

[theJman]

doesn’t need to be inserted deep in your ear canal?

I'm not certain what you may consider deep, but maybe one of the passive options from Etymotic might work. I have used them for probably 2 decades, mostly when I go to concerts and auto/motorcycle races. They do need to be inserted, but for me it's not so deep as to be uncomfortable.

 

[xanalog]

Have you considered or trialed any Active Noise Cancellation (in- or over-ear) hearing protectors?

Since we are audio nerds; Attention should also be given to NoiseReductionRatings w/SNR specifications; for objective, comparative and relative figures-of-merit purposes.

 

[tw99]

FWIW I use earplugs for motorcycling, and have recently been getting some ear canal irritation issues with my usual EarPeace or Leight Max Lite foam plugs.

I recently bought a pair of Loop Experience 2, and wore them for three days riding without any issues at all. If buying again I'd get the 2+ for a bit more attenuation.

I think the Loops are less irritating because they don't insert as far into your ear.

 

[xanalog]

Leight Max Lite foam plugs.

Are those the pink-ish colored ones?
I used to fill my jacket pockets with those, and hand them out to other riders [...to protect their hearing, due to ignorance ambivalence].

I wonder if you can [ethically] circumcise the very tip of such foam earplugs, to determine if they're the cause of the irritation.

 

[Timcognito]

As xanalog said go disposable for no worry no loss and cleanliness.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Miley_B]

My custom moulded silicone plugs with filters are easily the best earplugs I’ve used so that’s what I would normally recommend but since you mentioned you don’t want deep insertion silicone they probably don’t fit the brief unfortunately.

My clinical ear lady recommends I use this product periodically.

https://www.amazon.com/Earol-Ear-Remover-Olive-Spray/dp/B001E5CF0S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?

Maybe this would be helpful and allow you to continue to use your existing plugs.

 

[thunderchicken]

I use MSA Sordin ear pro and have the gel earpads for heat. They work great. For other situations, I have custom fit in ear stage monitors. They’re not that bad to keep clean, but I’m not a huge fan of the sound and they aren’t that comfortable. Unfortunately, what you need and what’s best are very different here. The best is going to be an Etymotic style triple flange, but they go deep and will be a problem for you. What you need is something like the Sordin and whatever comfort mods necessary to make you reach for them every time. I suggest a headband pad and the aforementioned cooling gel.

 

[RayDunzl]

Try a wad of soggy toilet paper over (but not into) the ear canal.

Provides good protection, can't comment on the frequency response.

Bonus: It's cheap, feels nice and cool, disposable, and makes people take notice of you.