How to Properly Insert Foam Ear Plugs

We've all seen them, the little yellow or orange foam ear plugs sticking out of ears at firing ranges and places where things are getting blown up. They are used to help protect your hearing from being impaired, but do you know how to get them in your ears?

How to properly insert a foam ear plug

Before you try to insert the foam ear plug into your ear you have to make it small enough to fit. In order to do this just roll it between your fingers until it is small enough to fit. Start off by rolling it gently between your thumb and forefinger and middle finger, making sure not to let any wrinkles get into the roll. Wrinkles will let sound in and you don't want that.

Then gradually roll tighter and tighter until it's rolled into a very small cylinder, you will have to use quite a bit of strength in order to get it really small. When you have done that, you need to figure out which ear you want to start with. If you are going to insert it into your left ear, transfer the foam cylinder into your left hand and keep rolling. With your right hand reach across the top of your head and grasp the top of your ear with your thumb and forefinger and gently lift upwards. This will make your ear canal open up for easier insertion.

Now keep rolling the ear plug until you get it up to your ear and gently insert it into your ear canal. Most of it should go into your ear and only a small amount should be outside the ear, so you can grasp it when you want to pull it out. It should only take about one minute for the foam ear plug to regain its shape inside your ear. You might hear some crackling while this is happening. Just follow these instructions to insert the foam ear plug into the other ear.

Are Foam Ear Plugs Safe

Yes, they are safe to wear but if they leave your ears sore you may need to try a different kind of ear plug. There are many different types, shapes and sizes.

Before picking up your ear plugs you should make sure your hands are clean so you don't transfer dust, dirt or any other foreign materials to your ear plugs and into your ears.

After a while they do become more comfortable to wear and you get used to them. I even wear mine to bed so the noises from outside don't wake me up. There's nothing worst than getting woke up at 2 a.m. from someone's car alarm going off right outside your bedroom window.