# Foam Ear Plugs Okay to Use? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 18, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900 "2015-06-18T22:35:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/21 "2015-06-19T04:58:31Z")
This is gonna sound really dumb…but if they aren’t inserted far enough in…but they still deaden the sound that I need deadened…is it okay to use them that way? There isn’t any harm in a shallow insertion, is there? (Gaw, that all sounds wonderfully naughty…) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/22 "2015-06-19T04:59:41Z")
> [@Queen\_Tonya](#): > > Try eating popcorn or chips while wearing ear plugs in a quiet room sometime. It’s a very weird experience. I’ve done that while wearing big old-fashioned cup-type headphones, and it is, indeed, weird! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/23 "2015-06-19T10:04:20Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > This is gonna sound really dumb…but if they aren’t inserted far enough in…but they still deaden the sound that I need deadened…is it okay to use them that way? There isn’t any harm in a shallow insertion, is there? > > (Gaw, that all sounds wonderfully naughty…) I’m sure there’s no harm, but why not at least try them the way they are intended to be used? Then decide. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/24 "2015-06-19T14:16:03Z")
[http://earplugsonline.com/](http://earplugsonline.com/) These work. Really really well. I use them every nite. For anyone looking for a good night’s sleep, I highly recommend. And they’re cheap. What have you go to lose? I tried foam and they did nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/25 "2015-06-19T21:15:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m sure there’s no harm, but why not at least try them the way they are intended to be used? Then decide. I tried last night…and can’t seem to jam them in any farther. (I’ve tried using ear-buds for audio, and they always fall out. It may be that my ear canals widen abruptly. Or I might just be doing it all wrong…) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/26 "2015-06-19T21:16:53Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > [http://earplugsonline.com/](http://earplugsonline.com/) > > These work. Really really well. I use them every nite. For anyone looking for a good night’s sleep, I highly recommend. And they’re cheap. What have you go to lose? I tried foam and they did nothing. They’re so tiny… How do you get 'em back out again? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/27 "2015-06-19T21:24:25Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I haven’t had the nerve to go and talk to him. Foolish of me, I know, but I have this nightmare of a long-term neighborhood feud, with him retaliating against me with leaf-blowers, motorcycles with no mufflers, Oontz-oontz music, and so on. Try this… Hi neighbor, you know,I’ve been meaning to tell you it sounds like your air conditioner is losing a bearing. With the hot summer just around the corner, you might get it checked before it fails on you. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/28 "2015-06-19T22:17:13Z")
“Hi, neighbor…” The big Rhinoceros that Bullwinkle pulls out of his hat pops up and roars at me… I know you’re right, but cowardice. ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/29 "2015-06-20T01:05:46Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > [http://earplugsonline.com/](http://earplugsonline.com/) > > These work. Really really well. I use them every nite. For anyone looking for a good night’s sleep, I highly recommend. And they’re cheap. What have you go to lose? I tried foam and they did nothing. do you have any problem with stuff sticking to them? I had some moldable ones before and my hair (which is long) would stick to them and leave residue on my hair. they were not this brand. ---
**Author:** ![1jow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/dbc845/32.png) [@1jow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1jow)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/30 "2015-06-20T23:34:15Z")
This could be a need of service that your neighbor can not hear that could save him if you notify him. My neighbor knew the need and would always warn me if he heard what could be a lack of oil on our older AC units. Be a Good Neighbor and see if it’s serviced. From that point on you’ll know if the info was appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/31 "2015-06-20T23:47:27Z")
This reminds me of something funny my ex used to say. He couldn’t wear ear plugs, because he couldn’t breathe with them in. :dubious: I used to wear them all the time when he snored. It didn’t save our marriage, but I saved me from killing him. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/32 "2015-06-21T00:12:24Z")
**Honey** : Grin! I think they’re keeping me from going on a murderous rampage against my neighbor, so, we’ll call it a success! (I’m still not succeeding in deep-seating my plugs, but they work well enough inserted only shallowly, so, again, it may not be a three-point shot the whole length of the court…but it’s two points up.) **DummyGladHands** : Seriously, how do you get those itty-bitty earplugs out again? ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/33 "2015-06-21T01:10:30Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > **Honey** : Grin! I think they’re keeping me from going on a murderous rampage against my neighbor, so, we’ll call it a success! > > (I’m still not succeeding in deep-seating my plugs, but they work well enough inserted only shallowly, so, again, it may not be a three-point shot the whole length of the court…but it’s two points up.) > > **DummyGladHands** : Seriously, how do you get those itty-bitty earplugs out again? I used to roll one between my fingers until one end was a point, and then wet it a little in my mouth. When wet they’ll slip right into your ear. Then they expand and fill your ear. Be careful, once you roll it into a point it’s very easy to insert it too far and…ouchie!! ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/34 "2015-06-21T02:19:05Z")
Used them for about 30 years religiously, while working loud factories, mowing my lawn and using weed eater, edger, shooting guns, working out in the shop using grinding or cutting tools, banging rivets on sheet metal, anything loud. Also use noise cancelling headsets along with foam earplugs as well sometimes while flying planes, just for the extra protection. Used them with a ex-gf that that also snored very loud. Hearing is still excellent at age 56. Never have had a problem with them. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/35 "2015-06-21T02:26:51Z")
Bought noise canceling headphones for spouse. She asked how to wear them, so I put them on. She said, they don’t work: I can still hear you.☹ am now installing Cone of Silence. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/36 "2015-06-21T02:28:04Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > . . . once you roll it into a point it’s very easy to insert it too far and…ouchie!! Now you’re scaring me! :eek: (I thought, at first, of cheating and using wadded up toilet paper, but the risk of leaving some behind and not being able to get it out again deterred me. But I am being a cheapskate and re-using the foam ones. I figure to use 'em till they start to crack. So long as I keep them clean, what harm?) > [@razncain](#): > > Used them for about 30 years religiously . . . Never have had a problem with them. That seems to be the consensus here, and I find it very reassuring! Thank you, and thank you all! ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/37 "2015-06-22T16:52:36Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > They’re so tiny… How do you get 'em back out again? They’re really not that small. I would say when you mush them and roll them around to soften them to fit, they’re about the size of a largish marble. And they’re soft, esp. from the body warmth once put in place, so I just pinch them and yank. Sounds bad, but no, they’re soft. Honestly, I have a TV while he sleeps “watching” boy friend, and these kill almost any sound. adhemar–yes, sometimes my hair sticks to them, it’s long, but pulled back in a band to keep from annoying me all nite, but honestly, I consider it a very small price to pay for my own personal coma. Try them, they’re very cheap, or Trinopus, PM me and I will send you a pair gratis. I buy 10 pair at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/38 "2015-06-22T17:58:52Z")
I tried the wax ones but they weren’t my thing. With the foam ones, I like to get the fat ones that are flat at both ends. Then I cut them in half and stick one in each ear. The full-length ones were uncomfortable for me but my modified, shorter ear plugs felt just right and kept noise out just as well. Plus, being the cheapskate I am, I love that I’m getting twice the mileage for my money. Thankfully, I rarely have need for them now, since I no longer have to deal with a certain noisy neighbor. I still use them for when I’m petsitting, though, because it always take me a few nights to get used to sleeping in someone else’s bed and this seems to help. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/39 "2015-06-22T18:40:31Z")
I’ve been considering these for a while as my wife’s snoring has chased me into the guest bedroom for sleeping purposes. One question for those in the know - any issues if you are a “side sleeper”? Meaning, I sleep on my side, and switch several times per night. My concern has been that the weight of my head will push them in further than desired, causing either pain or damage. However, as the comments above state, it seems that if any is sticking out, you did them wrong. Anyone here a regular foam ear plug user and side sleeper? Any problems? ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/40 "2015-06-22T19:06:52Z")
I use foam earplugs all the time, and they haven’t lead to any ear problems. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900.md?page=3)