9 décembre 2021

The ultimate guide to using ear plugs for tinnitus relief

Les bouchons d'oreille peuvent être utiles pour protéger l'audition et réduire l'intrusion des acouphènes. Oto vous présente tout ce qu'il faut savoir sur les bouchons d'oreille et les acouphènes.

Written by:

Alexandra Costlow, Au.D.

Do you find yourself constantly battling tinnitus symptoms and contemplating the use of ear plugs?

Various types, from foam ear plugs to custom-moulded devices, offer promising avenues for hearing protection and tinnitus alleviation. Each style is tailored for specific activities and individual needs. Yet, it's essential to be cautious. Using ear plugs inappropriately or too frequently can actually aggravate your tinnitus, turning a hopeful remedy into a setback.

Wondering how to navigate the world of ear plugs for effective tinnitus management? Continue reading as Oto unravels all you need to know to make an informed choice.

‍

Can ear plugs worsen tinnitus?

‍

Meilleurs bouchons d'oreille pour dormir ; Bouchons d'oreille anti-bruit ; Bouchons d'oreille contre les acouphènes ; Les bouchons d'oreille peuvent-ils causer des acouphènes ; Masque anti-acouphènes ; Bouchons d'oreille contre les acouphènes ; Bouchons d'oreille pour le sommeil

‍

While ear plugs are often seen as a go-to solution for tinnitus relief, many people find that their symptoms worsen after using them. Why does this happen?

Tinnitus is essentially an internal noise, contrasting with the external sounds around you. When you insert ear plugs, you're reducing the environmental noise that naturally masks tinnitus, making the internal noise more prominent and bothersome.

In other words, when you reduce external noise by using ear plugs, you're tipping the auditory scale towards internal noise. This imbalance makes the tinnitus sound more prominent, as there's less environmental noise to mask it. It's like turning down the volume of background music in a room, making a conversation more audible.

If your hearing levels are normal, but tinnitus remains a nuisance, it may be beneficial to consult with an audiologist. You could also consider using a tinnitus masker. These devices fill your auditory environment with ambient sounds, masking or blending with the ringing to make it less intrusive.

Need help with your tinnitus?

Learn out to tune out tinnitus and tune back into life with Oto's clinically proven program

Try for free

How to use ear plugs properly for tinnitus management

‍

Carrying ear plugs for tinnitus relief is common, but knowing when and how to use them effectively is crucial. Improper use can lead to issues like reduced sound tolerance and even worsen your tinnitus symptoms.

‍

When to use ear plugs

Understanding when sound becomes harmful is essential. According to guidelines from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the threshold for safe sound exposure is set at 85 decibels (dB). This is comparable to heavy city traffic or a busy restaurant. Exposure to this level of sound is considered safe for up to eight hours without causing permanent hearing damage.

For every increase of 3dB above 85dB, the safe exposure time is halved. For instance, a sound level of 88dB, which is comparable to a food blender, is safe for up to four hours. At 91dB, similar to a subway train, this drops to just two hours.

In a concert setting where sound levels can reach up to 120dB, the safety time is reduced to mere minutes. Hence, prolonged exposure to such high sound levels without proper hearing protection can lead to permanent hearing loss.

‍

Risks of overuse

When you use ear plugs frequently, you're limiting the range of sounds that reach your auditory pathway. This leads to a phenomenon known as 'increased central gain'. In simple terms, your central nervous system compensates for the reduced auditory input by becoming more sensitive to softer sounds. For this reason, it's important to only use hearing protection on an as-needed basis. Incorrect usage or overuse can lead to a range of issues, including earwax impaction and ear infections.

‍

Hyperacusis and phonophobia

Extensive use can also result in reduced sound tolerance, known as hyperacusis, as the ear becomes more sensitive to normal sound levels. In such cases, even ordinary noises, like the hum of a refrigerator or the chatter of people, can become uncomfortably loud.

On the other hand, phonophobia is a condition characterised by an irrational fear of everyday sounds, such as the beep of an indicator or the closing of a door. Overuse of ear plugs can lead to reduced sound tolerance, making individuals more sensitive to everyday noises and potentially triggering or exacerbating phonophobia.

Unlike hyperacusis, which is a clinical form of sound intolerance, phonophobia has a psychological component that can disrupt daily activities like housework, commuting, and social interactions. Both conditions can significantly impact your quality of life, but there are effective treatment options available.

‍

Recovery and adaptation

Upon removing ear plugs, many individuals experience a noticeable decrease in tinnitus symptoms. This immediate relief is often due to the reintroduction of external sounds, which help to mask the internal noise.

However, issues like phonophobia and hyperacusis may persist for a longer period. Over time, the central nervous system will gradually readjust, but in some cases, specialised therapies like sound therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be recommended. Through CBT, you can identify sound triggers, reframe your perception of them, and alter your behavioural responses to reduce fear and improve sound tolerance.

If you find yourself relying heavily on ear plugs, it may be beneficial to consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive auditory evaluation. They can perform tests to assess your sound tolerance levels and determine whether you're experiencing phonophobia, hyperacusis, or simply reduced sound tolerance. They can also provide insights into how improper use of ear plugs might be affecting your tinnitus.

‍

Types of tinnitus ear plugs

Tinnitus ear plugs work by reducing the intensity of external sounds and providing a barrier between the ears and the environment. Some are engineered to specifically address the frequencies that trigger tinnitus symptoms. By doing so, they effectively mask the disruptive ringing or buzzing noise. Each type comes with its own set of advantages and limitations.

Type of Ear Plug	Key Features	Advantages	Limitations	Special Notes
Foam Ear Plugs	Made from memory foam Expands to fit ear canal Effective for blocking ambient noise	Affordable Accessible Ideal for noisy environments like construction sites and air travel	May not provide a perfect fit for everyone	Proper insertion is crucial Roll, insert while pulling ear upward and outward, and allow to expand
Custom-Moulded Ear Plugs	Tailored to fit unique ear shape Optimal noise reduction	Provides a snug fit Effective for severe tinnitus symptoms	More expensive Requires fitting	Often recommended for individuals requiring a personalised solution
Electronic Ear Plugs	Incorporates technology to reduce tinnitus intensity and amplify ambient sounds	Allows engagement with environment Dual functionality	Most expensive May require batteries	Suitable for those who want to balance tinnitus relief with environmental awareness
Silicone Ear Plugs	Made from mouldable silicone Forms a waterproof seal	Ideal for swimming and water activities Can be moulded to fit	Not as effective for high-decibel noise reduction	Good for water-based activities Not ideal for loud environments
Filtered Ear Plugs	Contains acoustic filters that allow certain frequencies through	Allows you to hear conversations and important sounds while blocking harmful noise	May be less effective for severe tinnitus symptoms	Useful for social settings or work environments where communication is important
High-Fidelity Ear Plugs	Designed to reduce sound levels evenly across frequencies	Preserves sound quality Ideal for musicians and concert-goers	May be more expensive Not specifically designed for tinnitus management	Great for music lovers who want to protect their hearing without sacrificing sound quality
Noise-Cancelling Ear Plugs	Uses active noise-cancelling technology to reduce ambient noise	Effective for constant, low-frequency noise like engine hums	Requires batteries May be expensive	Ideal for travel, especially on aeroplanes or trains

‍

Bouchons d'oreille contre les acouphènes

‍

Dans certaines situations, les bouchons d'oreille pour acouphènes sont justifiés pour protéger l'audition et réduire l'intrusion des bourdonnements : lorsque le son est trop fort, par exemple lors d'un concert, d'un événement sportif, de l'utilisation d'outils électriques, de la conduite d'un véhicule à moteur ou d'autres passe-temps ou activités bruyants. Quelle que soit leur utilisation, les bouchons d'oreille ne doivent jamais être douloureux ou gênants, et ils doivent être bien placés dans l'oreille.

Pour faire fabriquer des bouchons d'oreille sur mesure, consultez un audiologiste qui pourra examiner l'oreille, prendre une empreinte, choisir la pièce d'oreille et les caractéristiques optimales, et vous apprendre à insérer, retirer et nettoyer la pièce d'oreille.

Il existe une variété de bouchons d'oreille spécialement conçus pour des situations d'écoute spécifiques.

‍

Pour les musiciens, les bouchons d'oreille de musicien sur mesure réduisent le son de manière égale sur l'ensemble du spectre de fréquences, de sorte que la musique conserve une grande fidélité des composantes spectrales (c'est-à-dire les basses et les aigus). Les bouchons d'oreille pour musiciens peuvent être proposés avec différents niveaux d'atténuation, allant généralement de 9 dB (atténuation légère), 15 dB (atténuation modérée) et 25 dB (atténuation importante).

Lesécouteurs intra-auriculaires permettent également d'atténuer les sons et de diffuser directement le son à partir d'une source audio pour une bonne fidélité sur scène. Ils sont généralement utilisés par les musiciens professionnels.

‍

Bouchons de natation

Les bouchons de natation sont utiles pour empêcher l'eau de pénétrer dans le conduit auditif pendant la douche, le bain, la natation ou toute autre activité impliquant de l'eau. Si vous craignez d'avoir de l'eau dans les oreilles, optez pour un bouchon de natation en vente libre ou un bouchon de natation spécialement moulé pour vos oreilles.

Les aspects les plus importants des bouchons de natation sont qu'ils s'adaptent solidement et confortablement à l'oreille et qu'ils empêchent l'eau de pénétrer dans le conduit auditif.

Si vous ne préférez pas utiliser de bouchons pour vous baigner ou nager, vous pouvez sécher l'oreille externe en la tapotant avec une serviette pour qu'elle reste saine et sèche. Pour les oreilles saines, une petite quantité d'humidité n'est pas nocive et sèchera d'elle-même.

Nous recommandons les bouchons d'oreille Happy Ears pour la natation. Ils sont écologiques et conçus pour les personnes souffrant d'acouphènes.

‍

Les meilleurs bouchons d'oreille pour dormir

‍

Les bouchons d'oreille peuvent être un outil précieux pour les personnes qui souhaitent réduire les bruits ambiants qui ne peuvent être éliminés autrement (comme les voisins bruyants ou le bruit de la rue). Ils donnent également à l'utilisateur un sentiment de contrôle sur sa capacité à réduire les bruits gênants et à obtenir un sommeil réparateur.

Les bouchons de sommeil personnalisés de Westone peuvent atténuer le son de 37 à 39 dB. Une empreinte de l'oreille doit être prise par un audiologiste qui commandera les bouchons de sommeil auprès de Westone ou d'un autre fabricant de bouchons d'oreille.

Pour une solution simple et peu coûteuse, essayez les bouchons d'oreille en mousse ultra souple de Mack, qui réduisent le son de 33 dB et sont disponibles à l'achat sur Amazon. Les bouchons d'oreille en mousse peuvent également être achetés dans la plupart des pharmacies et dans d'autres points de vente.

Si ce sont les acouphènes qui vous préoccupent (par opposition à la réduction du bruit), envisagez d'utiliser un oreiller anti-acouphènes ou une machine à bruit blanc. Il est également utile de pratiquer une bonne hygiène du sommeil et de se référer à comment dormir avec des acouphènes.

‍

Bouchons d'oreille anti-bruit

‍

Pour les personnes qui souhaitent réduire l'intrusion d'un environnement bruyant pendant les heures de veille, les bouchons d'oreille antibruit peuvent être une bonne solution. Techniquement, les bouchons d'oreille à réduction de bruit fonctionnent de deux manières :

‍

Empêcher le son de pénétrer dans le conduit auditif (annulation passive du bruit), par exemple à l'aide de bouchons d'oreille en mousse.
Production d'un son de fond agréable et inintéressant pour masquer les bruits ambiants gênants (annulation active du bruit)

‍

Voici quelques exemples d'oreillettes qui utilisent l'annulation active du bruit (en plus d'un certain degré d'annulation passive du bruit) :

‍

Les écouteurs à annulation de bruit QuietComfort de Bose sont dotés d'une commande tactile, d'un système d'annulation de bruit contrôlable et d'une fonction de recharge.

Les écouteurs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 offrent une option sans fil pratique et discrète pour l'élimination du bruit.

‍

Une considération importante concernant l'annulation du bruit est qu'elle doit être utilisée en fonction des besoins, car une utilisation excessive (c'est-à-dire tout le temps ou presque) peut entraîner une augmentation des acouphènes et des plaintes liées à la sensibilité au son. Outre les oreillettes, il existe également des casques antibruit pour les acouphènes.

‍

Discover Oto: Your trusted digital ally in tackling tinnitus

Struggling with the constant noise of tinnitus? Oto is here to help you reclaim your life. Developed by a team of experts who personally understand the challenges of tinnitus, the comprehensive mobile platform delivers expertly designed content to help you sleep better, focus more, and learn effective coping strategies.

‍

Pourquoi choisir Oto ?

Unlike other solutions that focus solely on hardware or traditional therapies, Oto leverages the proven effectiveness of CBT, the most effective way to deal with tinnitus. Our digital programs are a unique blend of medical expertise and personal understanding, offering a reliable path to tuning out tinnitus.

‍

1-1 Support: Combine expert video coaching sessions with our mobile app for a comprehensive support plan.
Success Stories: Learn from others who have successfully managed their condition through our app.
Free Consultation: Subscribers can make use of a complimentary consultation with a tinnitus expert.

‍

What sets Oto apart?

Oto doesn't aim to mask or treat the sound of tinnitus. Instead, we help you tune it out, thereby reducing its impact on your life. Our audio sessions range from three to 30 minutes and are designed to equip you with the mental tools to live better with tinnitus.

Download Oto from the App Store or Google Play and start your journey towards a more peaceful life today!

‍

FAQ

Can earplugs cause or worsen tinnitus?

In certain situations, it is possible ear plugs can worsen tinnitus. This can be because earplugs reduce the amount of surround sound reaching the ears, which allows the internal noise from tinnitus to become more noticeable. However, earplugs can also help protect your ears from excessive noise in loud environments.

What is the proper way to use earplugs when suffering from tinnitus?

Earplugs should ideally be used only when you really need them. Any prolonged sound exceeding 85dB is considered harmful and may require the use of earplugs to protect from damaging your ears. However, overuse can cause reduced sound tolerance, hyperacusis and exacerbated tinnitus as the reduction in environmental sounds can make one’s tinnitus sound louder.

What is the difference between phonophobia and hyperacusis?

Phonophobia is defined as the fear of everyday sounds. This can affect one's daily life. Hyperacusis, on the other hand, is a clinical form of sound intolerance. Both managed by an audiologist.

When is it recommended to use earplugs for tinnitus?

Knowing when to use earplugs for tinnitus can be confusing. Earplugs are best used in situations where loud sounds are more prominent. This includes concerts, sporting events, or when using noisy power tools. It can also be beneficial to use custom earplugs. These are designed for specific situations, such as: musician earplugs or swim plugs.

Which are the best earplugs to use when sleeping?

Earplugs can help reduce environmental noise during sleep. We recommend trying Westone's Custom Sleep Plugs, which can reduce sound by 37-39dB. Alternatively, Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs can also reduce sound by up to 33dB. These are readily available on Amazon.

How do noise-cancelling earplugs work?

Noise-cancelling earplugs work in two ways. The first, is by blocking sound from entering the ear canal. This is referred to as passive noise cancellation. The second, is by creating a background sound to mask unwanted environmental sounds. This is known as active noise cancellation.

Need help with your tinnitus?

Learn out to tune out tinnitus and tune back into life with Oto's clinically proven program

Try for free

Can ear plugs worsen tinnitus?

‍

While ear plugs are often seen as a go-to solution for tinnitus relief, many people find that their symptoms worsen after using them. Why does this happen?

Découvrez comment éliminer les acouphènes grâce à notre webinaire gratuit

Merci de vous être inscrit ! Veuillez vérifier votre boîte de réception pour accéder au cours.

Oups ! Un problème s'est produit lors de l'envoi du formulaire.

Vous ne devez pas vous contenter de "vivre avec"

Pourquoi entendons-nous des acouphènes ?

Ce que l'on ressent lorsqu'on l'ignore

Des méthodes cliniquement prouvées qui fonctionnent vraiment