SNOOOOOOORE => snooooooore could be improved somewhat

December 12, 2020 12:51 AM

What earplugs can I use for tiny ears?

I have small ear canals, it seems. Two bits of evidence:

1. I have always wondered why on earth anyone would use earbud-style headphones. They just kind of dangle in my earlobes, and if I were to turn my head sideways, they would just fall out. I only later realise that for some people, they actually can fit in the ear canals, and can be useful!

2. If I put ear plugs in my ears, it's sort of like a reverse iceberg. About 90% sticks out of the ear, while the rest stays put. As you might imagine, this isn't great for blocking out sounds.

So what earplugs are best to use in my case? My main use would be to help in sleeping when there are noises that bother me; if I put in normal earplugs, it helps... somewhat, but they typically fall out at some point in the night, and really only slightly dampen the sounds that annoy me.

(I have a separate question about wax buildup in my ears, but I will probably ask that again some other time)

posted by vernondalhart to Shopping (13 answers total)

Wax earplugs might work. You can just pinch off any excess wax and they are the most comfortable and effective ones I've tried.
posted by Zumbador at 1:35 AM on December 12, 2020

I have small ears. I also have tinnitus, and live music has sadly turned into torture for me. After some research, I bought these earplugs, which are amazing. They come with 3 different size inserts, as well as instructions on how to insert them for a snug fit. I was worried they'd go in too far or be stuck forever, but the plugs also have a small pull-tag on them to aid removal. My last pre-AllThis show was in an arena, but what I heard was more quiet than my car stereo. (I also recently got them out when Mr. D had a bad snoring night and they were wonderful.)
posted by Sweetie Darling at 3:55 AM on December 12, 2020

I use silicone ones (I think Mack’s are the best but there are others). Just firmly disregard the instructions and rip them in half so each one is half sized. Because they are moldable they are much more comfortable and stay in better. I used to buy the child sized ones until I realized that half of an adult one is both cheaper and a slightly better fit for me. You can reuse them for a good while before they get gross.
posted by chocotaco at 4:19 AM on December 12, 2020

I'm the same way. The wax ones work but are sort of disconcerting. I've found the Flents Quiet! Please earplugs from the drugstore fit -- I don't know if they're smaller than standard, or what. I need to be aggressive about rolling them into my ear and holding them in place while they expand, and they're still mostly sticking out of my ear but they stay in somehow.
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:30 AM on December 12, 2020

Just to double-check, how are you trying to insert earplugs now? Mine fall out if I don't smoosh them down completely (rolling between my fingers) and hold them in place while expanding, like the person above me says. They do tend to hurt by the morning, though. I'm just using regular foam earplugs that are supposedly a little smaller for women (a couple of brands make them, and they're hot pink).
posted by pinochiette at 8:56 AM on December 12, 2020

The foam ones will fit in your ears. You have to roll, pull, hold. Roll the plug between your fingers until it is very skinny. Reach around your head with your other hand and pull up and back on your ear. This straightens and opens the ear canal. Push the skinny plug all the way into your ear and hold it in while it expands.

Another good option is custom plugs. They are comfortable and last forever. We make them for people for about $100.
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:28 AM on December 12, 2020

What you want is the ear plug trial pack from Ear Plug Superstore. You can try out a range of plugs and see which ones fit best for you.
posted by brookeb at 10:40 AM on December 12, 2020

I have a ear canal with a bend in it and I like silicone earplugs. I make a cone and push a bit inside the ear canal + mold to the ear, and it seals up nicely without needing to reshape the putty every time / needing it to be very sticky.

I haven’t found foam ones that don’t start to hurt pretty quickly, and I’ve tried a lot of brands (also need hearing protection at work sometimes).
posted by momus_window at 10:45 AM on December 12, 2020

I do roll them up before putting them in, but as they expand they just sort of... slide out most of the way. Even if I hold them in.
posted by vernondalhart at 12:15 AM on December 13, 2020

The Mack's "Dreamgirl" pink earplugs are smaller and make a more snug fit in the ear. They also have a small container on a key ring which has been really handy for having a pair with you at all times. These fit nicely if you roll them up and hold them in your ear as they expand. I like to wash and disinfect them regularly so they stay clean. Noise canceling headphones over the ear plugs provides an additional layer of silence; I like my Audio-Technica headphones very much.
posted by effluvia at 6:35 AM on December 13, 2020

What about kid sized? Many years ago, I had some audiological testing done, and they had to use the pediatric thingy in my ear because even the smallest adult size one was too big.
posted by kathrynm at 7:50 AM on December 13, 2020

I found foam ear plugs started staying in my tiny ear canals (as complained about by multiple GPs over the years) much better when I bought a pack that came with the following instructions:

1. Roll the plug tightly.

2. To insert into your right ear:

a. hold the plug in your right hand,
b. reach over your head with your left hand,
c. grab hold of the top of your ear and pull towards the top of your head,
d. insert the plug,
e. release your ear, and
f. hold the plug in place for a moment while it expands to fit.

(3. Repeat for the other ear.)

What Lutoslawski said above, in other words.

Previously I'd been rolling and pushing and holding, and finding they almost immediately started falling out again. Opening the ear canal is key.

That said, I still need to use the ones that taper rather than the simple cylinders, and if I use ones that are slightly too big, they hurt my ears over the course of the night (which makes it likely I'll pull them out in my sleep). The Mack's ones mentioned above work well (although they're shorter as well as narrower, and I'm terrified I'll be unable to get a good enough purchase to pull them out); my current choice is Moldex Spark Plugs, which I buy from Amazon UK.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:15 AM on December 14, 2020

I have very small ears too. For my money, the very best quality and sound blocking is from Ohropax ear plugs. (Actually I'm in Canada, and I'm cheap, and I regularly pay 3x this much for them; they're that good.)

Soften them a bit in your hand, then gently pull apart into 2 or 3 chunks, depending how small your ears are.

The wax in these is a bit softer and stickier than other wax & cotton ear plugs I've tried and they stay in my ears better.
posted by Frenchy67 at 4:21 PM on December 16, 2020