# 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:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/41 "2015-06-22T22:18:43Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > 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. Lor’ bless you, that’s a very kind offer. No need: I’ll go and glom a pair today. I’ve got to visit a CVS or Rite-Aid anyway, so I’ll search for these. If they don’t have 'em, I’ll try mail order. I was imagining, from the photo, that they were the size of peas, and that made me think there might be trouble extracting them. But if they’re the size of marbles, I see how that would work. Thank you very kindly for the offer, the advice, and the specific answer! I’ll report back! ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/42 "2015-06-23T02:34:52Z")
The way I’ve always rolled them, is just roll 7/8 the length of it. I keep rolling it between my first finger and thumb for about five seconds, and immediately insert it in each ear, inserting that portion, while the 1/8” length of it or so that is already expanded about a half inch or so, prevents you from going any further unless you put a good deal of pressure on it. Never needed to pull on earlobe or anything like that. You can roll the whole thing at once, but it’s not as easy to gauge the depth you are inserting it into your ear, but I imagine some get a feel for doing it that way too. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_a\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Not\_a\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_a_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/43 "2015-06-23T02:50:24Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > 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? I’m a side-sleeper and don’t have any problems once they’ve expanded. If I put them in and immediately lay down on my side while there’s still room to wiggle, sometimes they do scootch a little further in. So wait a few seconds before putting your head down and you’ll be fine! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900/44 "2015-06-23T22:29:17Z")
I actually prefer not to get the tightest fit if it’s good enough. I find a tighter fit uncomfortable, like I need to pop my ears. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-ear-plugs-okay-to-use/722900.md?page=2)