When it comes to flying, the engine noise in the cabin can be a big drag - but the real ear pain comes from air pressure changes inside that pressurized plane. Few things are as effective in helping to manage the pressure as a pair of earplugs designed to do exactly that. One passenger found Cirrus EarPlanes in particular to be a real game-changer - check out their experience and advice from this recent Cirrus EarPlanes Review:
Reduced My Ear Pain Significantly!!
I am adult have severe ear pain on landing on flights, because of narrow eustachian tubes in my ears. These are the best earplugs I have tried in the past years. They are so very comfortable, and really help reduce the ear pain on when landing on flights. I used them the entire flight. I am ecstatic to learn that they are also reusable, however, I wonder how many times one can reuse them, as it does not say on the package.
Pros: Easy to install in the ear. Comfortable to wear. Come in a convenient plastic case. Reduce the ear pain on landing on flights. Reusable.
Cons: It does not state on the packaging how many flights one can use the same pair, before replacing them for effectiveness.
Cirrus EarPlanes were arguably the first, best flying earplugs to hit the market, and their updated design, the EP2, continues to make flying a lot less painful for a huge crowd of dedicated users. EarPlanes work by using a ceramic internal filter to regulate air pressure in and out of the ear canals, which keeps your ears from getting stopped up and hurting. The updated EP2 design is more comfortable than the original, but the mechanics are the same on both sets of earplugs. They provide some protection from noise, a nice amount for reducing fatigue while still retaining situational awareness, but pressure regulation is where EarPlanes do their heavy lifting and earn their devotees.
So, we know they work great - but how many times can you reuse EarPlanes ear plugs?
The answer is: it depends, but at least a few. EarPlanes are reusable several times with frequent washing and storage, using common sense as a guide. Wash Cirrus EarPlanes ear plugs with a gentle non-abrasive hand soap and lukewarm water. Make sure to rinse them completely so no wax, soap, or debris remains. Keave the plugs somewhere clean and well-ventilated to dry completely before you store or reinsert them. Keep them somewhere dry, ideally somewhere out of the sun where they won't get covered in pet hair or dust or pollen. (EarPlanes come with their own small case, to help make that easy.) The plugs themselves are made of silicone rubber and ceramic materials, so this process of washing and reuse can likely be repeated for months or even years, depending on how often you travel, what environment(s) you're traveling in, etc.
That said, it's worth noting that the manufacturer advises that you treat EarPlanes plugs as disposable, as dust and particulate from normal wear can eventually clog up the filters. It's never a bad idea to listen to the manufacturer. Still, practical experience has taught us that washing and reusing these plugs works fine, if done with care. Ultimately, it comes down to trusting your own common sense here: if they're still soft and flexible, and look and feel like they did when you got them, you're probably fine to gently wash off that ear wax and use your EarPlanes again on your next trip. If the plugs are stiff or shredded or obviously hopelessly clogged, though, give it up. When in doubt, though, please do err on the side of caution and go for a new pair.
If you're uncertain, it's better to be cautious. You'll definitely have a better flight if you can be sure your EarPlanes are in good condition!
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore
