If you’re one of those many people who just can’t fall asleep at night or isn’t able to sleep during the entire night because of all the background noise, you should consider sleeping with earplugs. It really doesn’t matter if it’s the dog barking, a loud neighbor, a snoring spouse, or some birds chirping on your balcony during the night.
We all need to get a good night sleep. This is the only way you have to get some rest, to have energy and focus on the next day, to be in a good mood, and not stressed out.
Make sure to read our best sleeping earplug list.
So, should you consider sleeping with earplugs? There’s not a right answer for this. It really depends on you and how you feel. However, in order for you to be able to make the best decision, you need to know all the facts about sleeping with earplugs.
Risks Of Sleeping With Earplugs
#1: Ear Wax:
Despite you don’t even notice, when you are sleeping, the ear wax drains from your ears. But when you’re wearing earplugs on a daily basis, the wax won’t be able to come out as it should. So, you may be affecting your ear’s ability to drain it properly.
#2: Ear Infections:
One of the things that most earplugs brands tell you over and over again is that you need to wash your earplugs every day with water and soap. And there is a reason for it – the risk of infection. When you don’t take good care of your sleeping earplugs, they will get dirty and filled with bacteria. And then, during the night, when you’re wearing them, the bacteria will have an open door to your body. The foam earplugs are usually the ones that tend to be more prone to bacteria.
#3: Muffled Hearing:
You need to make sure that even when you’re wearing your sleeping earplugs, you are able to listen to the carbon monoxide detector alarm, the smoke alarm, or even your alarm clock. When you don’t, you’re putting yourself in a risky position because if anything bad happens, you won’t even hear it.
#4: Pushing The Earplug Too Far Into The Ear Canal:
Usually, earplugs are small. So, when you’re inserting them, make sure that you are still able to remove them with your fingers.
#5: Removing Earplugs Too Fast:
Mornings are usually complicated and we all tend to be in a rush from the time we wake up until we leave home to go to work. However, when you are wearing earplugs for sleeping, you need to make sure that you don’t remove them too fast because you may damage an eardrum. The best and safest way to remove earplugs is to twist them gently.
So, how can you minimize the risks?
One of the things you can do is try to sleep with earplugs only occasionally because of the ear wax. Then, when you are wearing them, make sure tat you are still able to listen to all the alarms that may ring in the middle of the night, in case there is an emergency. Last but not least, make sure that you clean your sleeping earplugs every single day, without exception.