Do earplugs make your ears itch or feel "scaly" if you use them every day? It's not a common reaction, but it definitely happens to some folks - and if you're one of them, you need a good solution ASAP. Fortunately, there are some great solutions out there, if daily earplug use is making your ears itch. One person found great relief thanks to Hocks Ear Balm; here's their story:
Finally, relief from the itching caused by ear plug overuse!
I live in a city, so unfortunately use ear plugs regularly. fyi - I used to use the round waxy version, recently switched to plastic inserts that can be regularly washed. After using either ear plug type for a while, I would get some sort of scaly skin by my ears that was really annoying, building up to mild inflammation, and nothing seemed to help aside from just not using ear plugs for a length time... until this!
Within two applications, I noticed the scaly skin and itching had stopped. WHOO HOOO! this stuff is magic. ;). I haven't had any issue since purchasing this balm a few months ago.
Thank you!
If your ear plugs are hurting your ears or making your ears itch, the first thing I'd actually recommend is trying some other ear plugs to see if that works better - just like this customer did. The most important thing we teach people about ear plugs is that there's no such thing as "the perfect earplug for every person." Every set of ears is unique and individual, and so are each person's needs when it comes to texture and material, size, noise reduction rating, and more. Because what works great for me won't necessarily work well for you, there's always some trial and error involved in finding the right earplugs.
This goes doubly if the plugs are going to see daily use: if you're putting them in your ears for hours literally every single day, you really need to do due diligence and try as many kinds of plugs as you can until you get the best, most comfortable ones. Look for a soft, smooth skin on foam plugs for a silky feel and lower irritation. Try UF foam instead of PVC. Switch to moldable silicone or wax-and-cotton plugs if foam plugs feel uncomfortable. Try a smaller size of those reusable silicone/plastic plugs if your ears ache. (And in all cases, if you think there's something wrong or you may have an ear infection, get to a doctor right away!)
But what if you've found the perfect earplugs for your needs, and they only hurt or itch or feel uncomfortable if you wear them every day?
That's where the ear balm comes in.
Ear balms and lubricants aren't a great solution for making uncomfortable ear plugs fit more comfortably, at least in most cases - but these lubricants are excellent if you do have comfortable ear plugs and your ears are just getting irritated by constant contact and pressure. Originally developed for use with custom-fitted earpieces, hearing aids, and custom-molded earplugs - all meant to be worn daily for hours on end - these earplug gels, ear balms, and other earpiece lubricants were created especially for easing this kind of earplug itching or other skin discomfort. It's a great solution to the problem, safe and relatively inexpensive too.
Do ear balms work with different kinds of ear plugs? Absolutely. Surprisingly, they even work with foam earplugs, despite the slightly porous nature of the foam material. But because most balms and lubricants are designed for use with a particular type of plug (reusable pre-molded silicone rubber, or medical-grade lab-molded silicone, for example) it may be a good idea to plan to try multiple types, if your ears are especially irritated or your skin is particularly sensitive.
As an added benefit, a lot of these lubricants can also improve the fit and noise blocking of your ear plugs, too.
We offer a few different kinds of ear lubricants and balms -
- Hocks Ear Balm - 4.2 star rating, $9.99 for 0.5oz/15mL. A popular choice, Hocks Ear Balm isn't just lubricant, it also contains a small amount of hydrocortisone antipuritic solution to stop itching right away and soothe your ears with each use. For itching in particular, Hocks is a lifesaver.
- Westone Oto-Ease - 5 star rating, $7.06 for 0.5oz/15mL. Developed for custom-molded ear plugs, our customers use Oto-Ease more than any other type of ear lubricant. This one comes in tiny single-use packets if you'd like to test it out; consider throwing it in with your next plug order to save on shipping.
- Crescendo Ear Balm - 4.6 star rating, $5.99 for 0.24oz/7mL. The newest item on the list, this gel contains aloe and other soothing natural ingredients to soothe skin and make daily earplug wear more comfortable. (Be aware this one contains coconut oil.)
Note: All prices are as per the time of this writing and are subject to change in the future; star ratings are submitted by our customers, not determined by us.
So that's the breakdown. If your ears itch or hurt, first make sure you're using the right ear plugs for your ears (right material, right style, right size), and if you're sure the plugs are good, it's time to explore some ear balms and lubricants.
With the right combination of plugs and balm, even those with sensitive skin can get relief from noise without the irritation. Ultimately, you should never have to choose between itchy, scaly, or painful ears and getting the peace and quiet you need.
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore
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