Can Ear Plugs Cause Vertigo? Here's Everything You Need to Know
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- Issue Time
- Aug 4,2023
Summary
Can ear plugs cause vertigo? Read on to learn about the thorniest questions about the connection between ear plugs and vertigo, and how to fix them.
The first time you experience lightheadedness, ear pain, or ringing in your ears while wearing ear plugs, you might ignore them because you think it's just from wearing them for a few hours. But the persistent feeling of dizziness while wearing ear plugs is turning from frustration to fear.
Unfortunately, forgoing ear plugs means losing your peace of mind and exposing yourself to noise-induced dangers. As a result, you feel as though you have no choice but to decide which risk you'd rather take.
Eastragon dives into the answers to your toughest questions about the connection between ear plugs and vertigo, as well as best practices for avoiding the condition if you use them regularly.
3 Ways Ear Plugs Can Cause Vertigo
If you use ear plugs a lot and have recently started feeling dizzy, you may be wondering if your ear plugs are causing this.
First, using ear plugs does not directly cause vertigo. Excessive or wrong use of ear plugs can cause specific conditions that lead to dizziness.
Here are three ear conditions that can cause dizziness due to improper use of ear plugs:
1. Ear Plugs Can Cause Earwax Buildup
Our ears produce a waxy oil called cerumen, also known as earwax. Earwax protects our ears from dirt, microbes, and water. When there is excess earwax, it filters from the ear canal to the ear hole and is washed away.
However, in some cases, the excess earwax produced by the ear glands cannot drain out of the ear, becomes hard, and eventually blocks the ear. Health experts refer to this condition as earwax buildup or blockage.
One of the reasons ear plugs are bad for your ears is that they cause a buildup of earwax. Using ear plugs usually prevents earwax from leaching out of the ear, which can lead to excessive buildup and blockage.
This affected earwax can eventually cause vertigo by:
- When you use the ear plugs, they push the affected earwax further into the ear and against the eardrum or eardrum, causing the typical dizzy feeling of nausea or dizziness.
- Affected earwax can lead to a variety of bacterial infections in the ear. One symptom you will experience as a result of these infections is vertigo.
2. Ear Plugs Can Cause Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection that causes inflammation of the labyrinth due to exposure to a viral illness such as the flu or cold. One of the most common symptoms of labyrinthitis is vertigo.
This happens because the labyrinth is home to the body's cochlea and vestibular system. The vestibular system is primarily responsible for balancing your body by sending signals to the brain.
When the labyrinth suffers any kind of injury, such as an infection such as labyrinthitis, it affects the vestibular system, making it difficult for the system to send accurate signals to the brain.
In turn, you may feel dizzy and lose your balance -- two common symptoms of vertigo.
So, how can Labyrinthitis be caused by wearing earplugs? Using ear plugs, then, can cause labyrinthitis in a number of ways:
- Ear plugs can cause bacteria to grow in the ear, which can lead to infection. Unfortunately, bacterial infections of the middle ear are a common cause of labyrinthitis.
- Some ear plugs (such as foam ear plugs) are made of hypoallergenic materials such as UF (urea-formaldehyde) foam, silicone, or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) foam. Therefore, you may develop an allergy when using them. Allergies are also a cause of labyrinthitis.
3. Ear Plugs Can Cause Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is usually brief bouts of light to severe dizziness when you change the position of your head (looking down, lying down, or turning over in bed). This is one of the most common causes of vertigo.
BPPV occurs when calcium crystals (also known as otoliths) in the inner ear leave their position in the utricle and flow freely to other areas of the inner ear, such as the semicircular canals (SCCs) in the vestibular system.
When you move your head, these crystals stimulate your balance nerves, causing dizziness.
People who sleep with wear plugs on a daily basis are often more susceptible to BPPV because frequent wearing of ear plugs can lead to clogged earwax and ear infections.
If you've ever wondered whether it's safe to use ear plugs while sleeping, we hope you've got the answer. The risk of BPPV and vertigo means the wrong use of ear plugs as a sleep aid is dangerous.
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How to Prevent Vertigo from Ear Plugs?
Are ear plugs bad for your ears due to vertigo risk? not completely. Ear plugs can still be very beneficial in helping you cope with loud noises.
Additionally, with proper use and care of ear plugs, the risk of vertigo and other ear infections can be significantly reduced.
Here are some things you can do to prevent vertigo if you use ear plugs a lot:
Avoid Frequent Use
Continued use of ear plugs, especially if you sleep with them on a daily basis, can cause clogged earwax, putting you at risk for bacterial infection and dizziness.
That said, ear plugs aren't inherently bad for sleep. In fact, studies show that ear plugs can improve sleep quality.
However, it is advisable not to wear ear plugs one to two nights a week to allow the ears to drain the wax. This way, you can get the most out of your earplugs while also ensuring your ears are healthy!
Use Clean Ear Plugs
Dirty ear plugs can lead to ear infections and put you at risk of dizziness. Therefore, it is best to keep ear plugs as clean as possible to avoid infection.
Therefore, it is important to wash the ear plugs frequently to remove any earwax from their surface, and to discard the ear plugs once they have lost their efficiency and quality.
Avoid Ear Plugs You Are Allergic To
If you find that foam and silicone earplugs cause an allergic reaction when used, they could be bad for your ears.
Some users have reported itchy rashes or discomfort with latex, rubber, foam, or silicone earplugs.
These ear plugs are usually made of hypoallergenic materials (PVC/UF foam and silicone) which may trigger allergies for people with sensitive skin.
If this is the case, it is best to discard them immediately in favor of other safer options.
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In Conclusion
If you're hearing for the first time that using ear plugs poses a risk of vertigo, you might be tempted to throw out your favorite ear plugs as a safety measure.
However, while excessive and improper use of ear plugs can lead to dizziness and hearing complications, these can be avoided by reducing the frequency of use and making sure the ear plugs are always clean.
Be sure to follow the safety measures discussed in this article so you can enjoy the unparalleled hearing protection of ear plugs without any health concerns. If you have other questions about ear plugs, or you want to buy ear plugs, please contact us.
Eastragon is a professional custom ear plug manufacturer and can create ear plugs to meet your specific needs. Whether you need ear plugs for concerts, sleeping, swimming, traveling, special work, or filming, we can provide you with the best-customized solutions. Our ear plugs are made of a variety of materials, including silicone, polyurethane foam, silicone sponge, wax ear plugs, and rubber ear plugs to meet different needs. Our ear plugs feature highly effective noise reduction, superior comfort, and a great fit for different ear shapes. If you need a personalized solution for custom ear plugs, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our professional team will provide you with the best custom ear plug service.