Earplugs when swimming are mandatory

Ear plugs are ear plugs with many benefits for ear health and hearing. This small tool is useful for filtering out noise that can harm the ears. Besides that, what other benefits do you get by wearing ear plugs? Check out the explanation below.

What is an ear plug?

Ear plugs or plugs are a means of ear plugs to protect hearing. This tool is made of foam or plastic and is small. It can be used immediately by inserting it into the ear canal.

There are many types of earplugs that you can wash and reuse. Earplugs are also easy to use and carry around because of their small size.

Quoted from the National Institutes of Health, ear plugs are of two types, namely

1. Expandable foam ear plug

Foam ear plugs are ear plugs made of thin rolls of foam. This tool is used by inserting it about half way into the ear canal. Once inserted, the foam earplugs will adjust the shape of your ears to the point.

2. Collapsible ear plug

These earplugs are made of plastic, rubber, or silicone. These earplugs have a pointed shape, similar to an ice cream cone.

These ear plugs are available in different sizes according to age. Children can wear the smaller earplugs, while adults can wear larger earplugs.

What are the benefits of ear plugs?

As already mentioned, earplugs keep your ears from being exposed to noise. However, more than that, ear plugs are also useful for lowering your risk of various ear diseases and helping you sleep better. Check out the explanation.

1. Prevent deafness due to noise

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) or deafness due to noise is damage to sensitive structures in the ear due to listening to sounds that are too loud for a long time. This condition is the only preventable hearing loss. One way is to wear hearing protection.

Hearing protection, including ear plugs, is recommended whenever you are exposed to noise for a period of time that exceeds the limit of more than 85 decibels (dB) for more than eight continuous hours. The following activities are likely to produce loud noises over a long period of time:

• Operating the lawn mower
• Operate with power tools
• Drive a snowmobile or treat a farm
• Engage in hunting or shooting sports
• Attend an event with noise, such as a car racing competition

It is also recommended that you attach earplugs for your child when taking him to music concerts or places with loud noises.

2. Prevent ear infections

Using ear plugs while swimming can prevent infection in your ears due to water ingress such as otitis externa. Otitis externa is an infection that occurs in the canal that carries sound from outside to the eardrum (ear canal).

You will certainly be susceptible to infection if you swim frequently without using ear plugs. . It is not surprising that some people then refer to this infection with swimmer's ear (swimmer's ear).

3. Make sleep better

Ear plugs are very common and safe to use while sleeping. This tool can block outside noise, especially annoying noise.

For those of you who live in areas near factories, roads, or airports, earplugs are very beneficial.

Sleeping better with ear plugs will certainly have an impact on quality of life. For example, you are less sleepy during the day, stay productive, are in a good mood, and of course, avoid stress.

Apart from getting a good night's sleep, wearing earplugs also provides many benefits. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research shows that earplugs and eye masks can stimulate the hormone melatonin. This hormone tells the body to rest and fall asleep.

The results of this study also showed an increase in REM sleep (rapid eye movement). REM sleep is a form of sleep that increases activity in the brain by dreaming. This sleep affects a person's memory improvement.

What are the risks of wearing ear plugs?

Although there are many benefits and is considered safe, wearing earplugs can also have a negative impact. Moreover, if you use it very often.

Using plugs can cause ear blockage. Earplugs can push the wax that should otherwise be out. As a result, earwax will come back in, accumulate, and cause blockages.

In the long term, this earwax blockage can cause itchy ears, dizziness, difficulty hearing, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Therefore, if you regularly wear earplugs and experience ear discomfort, check with your doctor immediately.

What are the tips for safely wearing ear plugs?

Although it is beneficial for the health of your ears, there are a number of things that you should pay attention to so that the ear plugs when swimming that you are wearing are still safe to use, namely by:

1. Pay attention to the steps to put on the ear plug

Pressing the ear plug too deep, even close to the eardrum, can increase the air pressure in your ear. This condition will actually cause discomfort to the onset of pain.

Observe the steps for using safe earplugs according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States) below.

• Clean your hands before putting ear plugs into your ears before going to sleep.
• put in earplug to the ear gently. If it is properly installed, do not try to push it or push it deeper.
• If earplug you use comes with a foam pad, don't forget to clean it and replace it periodically. Make sure the foam is dry before use.

2. Choose a good quality ear plug

Make sure the earplugs you choose are of good quality, especially in terms of the material. For example, earplugs with wax pads are made to fit the ear so that they are comfortable to use while sleeping, while silicone is better suited for swimming.

In addition, choose earplugs that are suitable for your health condition. Some people have allergies to certain ingredients. You should first find out what kind of ingredients can trigger your allergies, if you have them.

3. Make sure to keep the ear plug clean

Although some ear plugs are designed for prolonged use, prolonging the use of ear plugs without cleaning them regularly can result in effects such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Therefore, it is recommended that you clean earplugs regularly.