How to Prevent an Ear Infection from Using Earplugs Excessively?

I've been wearing constant 24/7 double hearing protection for about a week now. I now realize that was a bit overkill as I found the earplugs were causing a lot of my increased symptoms, lmao.

Now I'm trying to air my ears out as much as possible and only use my Peltors because I'm noticing some wetness, blood, and itching in my outer ear canal. I'm very worried about developing an ear infection.

Are there any remedies I can do to prevent developing an ear infection? Besides not wearing earplugs and wearing my Peltors when needed of course. Should I just start Q-tipping rubbing alcohol into the outer ear?

Thank you.

 

Keep the earplugs out at night to let air in your ears and don't use them when you're in quiet places.

Overprotecting can cause you to be afraid of sounds so everyday sounds shouldn't need to be protected from, only when it's extra loud, so your ears don't get over sensitive.

Love,
Glynis

 

What symptoms precisely were increasing?

 

Pain in my middle and outer ear and constant thumping. Switching to the Peltors gave me some jaw pain, but it's way better than the constant spasms.

 

No increase in tinnitus or hyperacusis?

 

Definitely some increase in tinnitus. Not sure about the hyperacusis though, I think it's getting a little better.

 

Bizarre that silence INCREASED your tinnitus.

 

Rubbing alcohol is pretty damaging to tissue. I’ve heard other people use garlic oil but I don’t have personal experience. I’ve used tea tree oil but there’s a study saying it may be ototoxic.

 

I don’t have any experience, but maybe just leave them be, or only use a compress of warm water? If you were really concerned, you could contact your doctor to check the inside of your ears to put your mind at ease.

Hope all goes well.

 

Yeah, right? It's really hard to pin point what's causing the effects of what. My tinnitus definitely spikes to sound I don't like, but sometimes it'll increase just because, or when I wear double hearing protection for too long.