Using Earplugs, Can Occasionally Hear My Own Voice Internally Incredibly Loudly — Dangerous?

Obviously the majority of us here aren't strangers to earplug use.

When using earplugs, however, I occasionally notice that I can hear my own voice internally incredibly loudly.

My question is can this earplug effect cause hearing damage/tinnitus spikes?

Cheers team!

 

You're voice is usually that loud, and it's just become more "noticeable" because there's less sound from outside coming in, so probably not.

 

What sort of plugs?

What you're experiencing in the occlusion effect. Custom musician's earplugs with filters are better at handling this because they don't completely block the ear canal. I find I notice it significantly more when using foam and silicon plugs, which I why I avoid using them and stick to my customs.

 

Eaplugs can cause the occlusion effect. So it can actually make your voice louder in your ear canal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occlusion_effect


I learned this the hard way...

 

The overuse of earplugs can lower the auditory system's loudness threshold, making it more sensitive to sound.

 

OK, but is this dangerous and enough to cause a spike?

 

Cause a temporary spike? Possibly depending on how reactivate your tinnitus is. Dangerous - unlikely.