Many people rely on earplugs for better sleep, but worry about long-term effects—like becoming unable to sleep without them or damaging their ears.
ENT specialist Sietske Meinesz explains: "In itself, the use of earplugs is not harmful to the ear. If you do not suffer from ear infections or from a build-up of cerumen (earwax) in the ear, you can continue to wear earplugs without worry. It is possible that you will suffer more from cerumen because this is, as it were, pressed by the earplug. This prevents it from leaving your ear spontaneously. If you have or will experience this a lot, I advise you to contact your GP or consult an ENT specialist."
