Made of plastic, foam or wax and designed to fit in the ear canal, earplugs are devices made to provide protection from noise or water. While they may offer the protection that many seek, prolonged or incorrect use comes with its risks. Someone that uses earplugs regularly should be aware of the risks in order to prevent causing damage to their ears or hearing.
On a daily basis, your ears drain earwax. Incorrect or prolonged use of earplugs impacts your ears’ ability to drain earwax properly. Side effects include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), discharge, pain or infection and hearing loss. In order to prevent this from happening, regularly clean your ears to encourage earwax removal when you’re not wearing earplugs.
It’s important to never wear earplugs when driving because you need your full hearing. You might not be able to hear a car horn alerting you of danger or an emergency vehicle approaching if you’re wearing earplugs.
If your job occupation requires the use of earplugs due to loud machinery, make sure you remove the earplugs when in other areas that need your hearing. Only wear them when absolutely necessary.
Proper cleaning of earplugs is important in order to eliminate bacteria and avoid painful ear infections. Foam earplugs are even more prone to bacteria because it provides a hospitable environment for them. As an alternative, you can wear soundproofed headphones that are worn externally on the ears and thus have a lesser chance of harboring bacterial growth.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.
