Do I Insert My Earplug Too Deep Inside the Ear Canal?

[SergioN]

Hi All,

I'm having bad moments when inserting my foam earplugs because I'm suffering from hyperacusics and dermatitis and the noises of putting and removing make me nervous.

Anyway, today I put in my earplugs to go outside (traffic) but two hours later I started to note some slight internal pain. Like pressure and pain. So I took the earplug out carefully.

I think maybe it had gone too deep in and caused pressure over eardrum?

They are 3M 1100, 2.5cm length tapered.

I uploaded a photo wearing the earplug. I really need to hear your opinion. Thanks.

 

[Deamon22]

Hi All,

I'm having bad moments when inserting my foam earplugs because I'm suffering from hyperacusics and dermatitis and the noises of putting and removing make me nervous.

Anyway, today I put in my earplugs to go outside (traffic) but two hours later I started to note some slight internal pain. Like pressure and pain. So I took the earplug out carefully.

I think maybe it had gone too deep in and caused pressure over eardrum?

They are 3M 1100, 2.5cm length tapered.

I uploaded a photo wearing the earplug. I really need to hear your opinion. Thanks.

View attachment 31474

I wouldn't worry about hitting the eardrum (except if you have a lot of wax maybe and are pushing that further in). I wear the same earplugs all the time and insert them even deeper where they are not visible from the side like on your picture.

But i get the same slight pain/pressure after like 2-3 hours and then i need to take them out. I always try not to wear them for to long before taking a break.

 

[Digital Doc]

https://asa.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1121/1.4800461

The earplug is not too deeply inserted. Look at the images in the link above. The lower portion of your earplug looks about 100% in, but the upper aspect is less than that.

If you are having trouble getting it in deep enough, or if you are getting pressure, consider a slim fit ear plug, or a lower pressure plug that may fit better.

 

[SergioN]

Thanks for your replies and information. I really appreciate it.
Kind regards.

 

[Mister Muso]

Just be careful taking them out. Try to ease each one out by pulling the ear and gently pulling the earplug with a twisting motion until the seal is broken. It shouldn't feel like the eardrum is popping which would mean you're doing it too fast.

 

[linearb]

nah that looks good.

earplugs absorb sweat and will expand and eventually hurt. when I'm riding my motorcycle I tend to stop and change them every hour.

 

[SergioN]

What do you think about how I inserted the earplug there?

Today, the right earplug moved into the ear canal easier than other times so it went in too deep and I really noticed some slight pain for a second or two. After that I tried to pull it a few millimeters out, to release the pressure... But I'm scared it touched my eardrum. Wax was removed a month ago so there should not be a lot of wax.

But I really feel something.

I think this is happening to me now because I'm rolling the earplug in a thinner roll. In the past, I did not pay the same attention to rolling the earplug.

What do you think about this? My tinnitus spiked in that ear... Although anxiety can be playing a role.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SergioN]

Any thoughts about this last photo? I need your support...