Earphones or Foam Plugs?

[MikeB1996]

Hey all, so I was wondering what is a better choice to protect my ears...

I have bought foam plugs from a local pharmacy and used they since but I noticed that my in ear earphones seem way better at blocking noise then the foam ones. (I don't play music through them since I got tinnitus, but they seem to block much more noise compared to other ear plugs)

So what do you think?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hey all, so I was wondering what is a better choice to protect my ears...

I have bought foam plugs from a local pharmacy and used they since but I noticed that my in ear earphones seem way better at blocking noise then the foam ones. (I don't play music through them since I got tinnitus, but they seem to block much more noise compared to other ear plugs)

So what do you think?

Hi @MikeB1996

I don't advise that you use foam earplugs at all unless for their intended use which is using noisy power tools or in very noisy environment. Noise reducing earplugs that have filters in are better in my opinion. They will reduce outside sound and not block-them completely. I don't advise people to use earplugs of any type too often when they have tinnitus/hyperacusis as there's a risk of making the auditory system more sensitive to sound. You are right not to listen to earphones/headphones even at low volume. Please click on the links below and read my articles on tinnitus and hyperacusis, that you might find helpful. Try to read them in full and not skim through them.

All the best
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/