The best ear plugs are comfortable enough to wear all day or all night, and foam ear plugs are known for being especially soft and comfortable. Meanwhile, ear plug lubricant usually exists to ease sensitive ears when it comes to wearing custom ear plugs and ear molds - custom earpieces made of much firmer material than foam. Still, when it comes to ear plugs for work and sleeping, especially, there is no such thing as an earplug that is too comfortable. And folks with dry ears or especially sensitive skin may find even the softest foam material leaves their ears aching for more relief.
So - foam ear plugs and ear plug lubricant: can you use them together?
The short answer: yes, you can use lubricant with foam ear plugs, and it's pretty likely to help you get a more comfortable fit. There is no conflict in the materials that will cause damage to the ear plugs or to your ears - but disposable foam ear plugs are only made to be used once, and using lubricant will definitely make using a new pair each time a must.
But it turns out there are other benefits to this combination that go beyond just comfort - and there's actually science to prove it. More on that in a second.
First, why does ear plug lubricant work with foam ear plugs, if foam plugs are already soft and smooth? It makes sense that lubricated foam ear plugs will likely fit a little better and more comfortably, because they'll be a little easier to insert deeply into the ear canal. In this case, lubricant will be the most helpful when it comes to getting a plug deeply, securely, properly inserted inside the ear canal. Foam ear plugs are a little tricky to insert correctly on their own, requiring a roll-down squeeze for deep insertion. An extra-silky feel tends to make that insertion a touch easier. Lubricant typically also helps prevent irritation, easing and soothing skin during potentially long hours of wear, and that still applies even when the ear plug itself is already very soft. So the ear plug goes in easier, and fits more deeply. And again, there is no such thing as "too comfortable," here.
Interestingly enough, lubricant doesn't just make ear plugs more comfortable - it also makes them more effective.
Or at least, more likely to be as effective as they were designed to be.
The thing about ear plugs is that ultimately, they're only as good as their fit. If your foam earplugs aren't rolled down tightly enough and inserted deeply enough, even a high-NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) hearing protector won't give you the rated noise blocking. That means your ears will be left vulnerable. With multiple factors in play, it's no shock that a lot of people aren't getting a good fit from their foam plugs.
Looking to figure out a good solution for that problem, the CDC actually did a study examining whether or not a good lubricant might make it easier for people to get the fit they need from their foam ear plugs in order to stay safe.
So what did the science say?
Well, it turns out that the same ear plug lubricant that makes plugs fit more comfortably also makes them more likely to fit correctly.
Taken from the CDC's study, "The effect of an insertion lubricant on the noise attenuation of foam earplugs," by Randolph & Kissel of NIOSH
The upshot of the scatter plot? A proper fit with foam ear plugs makes them more effective - and it's easier to get a good fit with ear plug lubricant. That means that if you use lube on the same kind of foam ear plugs you're already used to using, you could experience better sound dampening for an even smoother experience.
(One word of caution - with firmer PVC foam, the lube will likely not be as effective as it would be on smoother, softer UF foam ear plugs. Those plugs are comparatively porous, while the ear plugs used in the CDC study were the smooth-skinned Max UF foam ear plugs.)
So what's the best ear plug lubricant for foam ear plugs?
First, you don't want to use just any lube. The skin inside the ear canals is thin and sensitive, and we want to avoid causing irritation or discomfort. Fortunately, we have two ear plug lubricants specifically designed for use with ear plugs and earpieces. Designed for use with custom molds like the ones used for hearing aids and custom in-ear musician's monitors, these lubricants are ear-safe and soothing, and hold up well to hours of use.
Top Rated: Westone Oto-Ease Custom Earmold Lubricant
Originally created to compliment Westone's high-end custom molded musician's monitors, Oto-Ease is tried-and-true lubricant for custom ear plugs and ear molds. This water-soluble lube is designed to stay silky, never greasy, and is a top choice for hearing aids that should work equally well with foam ear plugs. Our customers give Oto-Ease a perfect 5-star rating.
Ear Balm: Crescendo Custom Earmold Lubricant
Crescendo presents another solution with a boutique approach: a small tube of premium balm. More of a gel than a liquid, this lubricant features aloe and other natural ingredients. A favorite of motorcyclists seeking a quieter ride and looking to optimize their hearing protection's performance, Crescendo Ear Balm is newer, relatively more expensive, and a bit harder to find in shops.
Not sure where to start? If you'd like to try foam ear plugs with ear plug lubricant, and you're starting from scratch, we recommend checking out our ear plug assortment packs - so you can try many different kinds for not a lot of money. Next, go with some Oto-Ease ear plug lubricant for now, since it's the more economical option and will give you more applications to experiment with. Try a few different combinations, until you find the right one for your unique ears.
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore
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