Can wearing ear plugs at night after night be harmful?
By Joni Doherty, MD, PhD
Some of my patients prefer to sleep wearing earplugs, for a variety of reasons. A snoring spouse, ambient noises like crickets or birds chirping, or loud neighbors can sometimes make wearing earplugs the only way to get a good night’s sleep. But can wearing them night after night be harmful?
Studies have shown that long-term use of foam earplugs can indeed cause ear wax to build up or become impacted. They can block the outward flow of ear wax—also known as cerumen–that our bodies produce to protect and self-clean the ears. Foam earplugs can push ear wax in too far, packing it deep inside the ear canal and possibly against the eardrum. The result could be constant ringing of the ears (tinnitus), pain, or hearing loss.
It is also difficult to thoroughly clean foam earplugs, so it is possible that a build-up of bacteria can lead to ear infections. People who have difficulty sleeping without earplugs should look into a custom-molded pair. They fit the ears properly and reduce the risk of being pushed in too far. And because they are made of non-porous plastics or resins, they are also easier to keep clean so your risk of infection is greatly reduced.