The best way to use Flanged Earplugs   by Ned Howland

in Health / Wellness    (submitted 2011-10-12)

If you're trying to shield your ears, there are three major varieties earplugs you can use. The most common style of earplugs, the type you'll usually find construction workers using, are foam earplugs. Composed of memory foam, these usually are compressed down before insertion inside your ear canal, where they'll expand, filling up the canal. Silicone earplugs are moldable. You roll this kind of earplug into a ball and mold it over the exterior part of your ear canal. The last type is flanged. Flanged earplugs resemble tiny Christmas trees with the flanges showing as the "tree" part of the earplug. The flanged portion of the plug is inserted into your ear canal, where it'll create a solid seal. Musicians' earplugs and custom molded earplugs tend to be flanged.

1) Inserting

First, make sure that your flanged earplugs are the correct size since, different from foam and silicone earplugs, flanged earplugs can't be squeezed down, or molded in any way before insertion. In order to avoid catching any kind of ear infection, you'll want to still wash your hands before handling your plugs. To help insert the plug, pull your ear up and out with your opposite hand, this will straighten your ear canal. Using your other hand, holding the stem, push and shake the plug into the ear canal until you find a good seal. You'll recognize there is a good seal when your voice echoes in your head and you feel slight pressure in your ear.

2) Removing

To take out, with the same side hand as your ear, grip the stem of the plug and lightly wiggle and twist the earplug out of your canal. You can harm your canal if you aren't mindful removing the plug. You'll notice the plugs suction nicely in your ear and might feel a little weird coming out. Don't worry, that's normal.

3) Cleaning

After you take out your earplugs, you should clean them using warm, soapy water. Dry them off, and then store them in a clean place. If your flanged earplugs come with a case, you should store them within their case.

Since flanged earplugs can be cleaned safely free of risk of them breaking down, the same pair of earplugs may be used for a long time. If you are a musician or a person who is around loud noises often, an additional backup pair of earplugs might be an important precaution against loss of your earplugs.

About the Author

Most importantly, if you're interested in finding the best earplugs, be sure to check out Earplug and Play at http://earplugandplay.com.