Simply put, earplugs are one of the best ways to prevent hearing loss. You should use them every day if you have a noisy profession or when attending a loud event. But, if you’ve ever used them before, you know that they can get dirty fast. Failure to clean them properly could result in an ear infection and a slew of other problems. Today, we’ll share with you the best way to clean earplugs.
If you use reusable earplugs, you better clean them properly! Here’s the best way to clean earplugs.
A Word on Disposable Earplugs
Before we explain how best to clean your earplugs, we need to take a moment to address those cheap disposable ones. You can pick them up at any local drug store, which makes them great if you are in a pinch. But they are not designed to be reused—or cleaned. You could probably get away with more than one use, but as soon as you see them getting dirty, it’s time to throw them away.
Reusable earplugs are generally more effective at preventing hearing loss. This makes them absolutely worth the cost of admission for regular users.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need just a few things to clean your disposable earplugs. You probably have all that’s necessary already around the house:
- A bowl
- Warm water
- Hydrogen peroxide
- A toothbrush
Once you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to get started on the road to clean earplugs.
The Process
To begin, fill your small bowl with warm water and a generous proportion of hydrogen peroxide. Don’t worry—hydrogen peroxide may have a scary name, but it’s a gentle cleaning solution that won’t cause you any harm. If you’d like, some people prefer to use a squirt of a mild dish soap instead.
Simply place your earplugs in the solution for a few minutes to loosen up and sterilize any debris. From there, you can go at them with a clean toothbrush just for the purpose. Rub off any visible material, and you can rest assured that your earplugs are as clean as can be.
Once this is done, dry them off as best as you can with a towel and leave them out to air dry. As soon as they’re dry, put them back in the case so dust doesn’t have the chance to accumulate on them.
We know—cleaning earplugs isn’t thrilling. But it’s a small price to pay for protected hearing.
Contact Bay Area Audiology Today
Ready to change the way you look at hearing loss? Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
You can always come into the office or contact us in advance to set up an appointment. We also provide updates on our social media websites. You can check out our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to keep up with Bay Area Audiology.
Don’t hesitate–we can help.