Can Ear Plugs Cause a 700 fold Increase in Germs in the Ear Canal? (Headphones, Hearing Aids, Stethoscopes, etc)

It was recently brought to my attention an interesting urban legend that wearing ear plugs can cause a 700 fold increase in germs in the ear canal. Curious about how this statement came to life, I scoured the internet and discovered the following info that may have relevance for people who regularly use earbud devices that require insertion into the ear canal whether it be ear plugs, headphones , hearing aids , stethoscopes , etc. In 1992, US Naval researchers published a study that discov…

Continue Reading

If Justin Bieber Wears Ear Plugs, You Should Too!

Washington Post 12/14/15 (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) Saw this picture and related article in the Washington Post depicting Justin Bieber wearing ear plugs to protect his hearing. The point being, audience members should also be wearing ear plugs to protect their hearing as well. It's not just the elderly who now needs hearing aids , but even younger folks now with all the loud music they are subjecting their ears to. As the article points out, the ear plugs should be all the way in …

Continue Reading

Devices to Help with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction During Airflight and SCUBA

EarPlanes Ear Plugs It is not uncommon that patients who suffer from eustachian tube dysfunction resulting in symptoms of clogged ears and inability to pop them easily participate in activities that WILL worsen their ear problems. Such common activities include SCUBA diving and airplane flying. Of course, treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction is best, but may take several weeks, and that airplane flight or SCUBA diving trip is happening in a few days before resolution is expected. …

Continue Reading

Ear Plugs That You Can Manually Mute or Enhance Sounds

Image from KickStarter Although being funded on Kickstarter is no guarantee that a product will become a success, I sure hope that this Ear Plug called " Here " is as good as it sounds and makes it to store shelves. Described as an "active listening" device you can control wirelessly with your smartphone, you supposedly will be able to mute out undesirable sounds like a crying baby while still be able to hear all other sounds. OR, enhance certain sounds like the bass…

Continue Reading

Hearing Protection and NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)

For all hearing protection devices from ear plugs to ear muffs, there is a NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) score that informs consumers how much of a decrease in noise exposure to expect with use. For example, if an ear plug has a NRR score of 30, use of the device would be expected to reduce a 90 decibel sound by 30 decibels resulting in a noise exposure of 60 decibels. If two hearing protection devices are used, an ear plug inside the ear canal followed by ear muffs over the ear, the ultimat…

Continue Reading

CNN: Metallica Drummer Suffers From Tinnitus & Wears Earplugs When Performing

CNN on Dec 28, 2009 published a story on tinnitus (ringing of the ears) highlighting Metallica drummer, Lars Ulrich. Mr. Ulrich has suffered from tinnitus due to loud noise exposure and started wearing hearing plugs whenever performing to minimize further damage to his ears. "Ulrich said he is concerned about young people, the so-called iPod generation, who listen to loud music, and may not be as vigilant about protecting their ears. 'If you get a scratch on your nose, in a week …

Continue Reading