Health specialists have advised against wearing earplugs every night to block out noise during sleep, warning that frequent use could interfere with the ear’s natural cleaning process and lead to medical problems.
Otolaryngologists, doctors specialising in ear, nose and throat conditions, say earplugs remain safe for occasional use but should not become a nightly habit.
Instead, they recommend creating a quieter sleep environment through alternative measures such as white-noise machines, fans or improved soundproofing in the bedroom.
According to sleep and health researchers, the human ear maintains what experts describe as a delicate ecosystem designed to trap and remove dust, bacteria and wax.
Tiny outward-facing hairs and wax-producing glands help prevent debris from reaching the eardrum, while a natural process known as epithelial migration gradually pushes wax out of the ear canal.
Regularly inserting objects such as earplugs, earbuds or cotton swabs can disrupt that process. In some cases, this may cause cerumen impaction, a build-up of earwax that can trigger itching, ear pain or temporary hearing loss.
Medical professionals say the condition can usually be treated by an ear specialist using irrigation or suction techniques, but caution that repeated interference with the ear canal increases the risk of complications.
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Additional risks may arise with foam earplugs, which must be compressed before insertion and that if handled with unclean hands, they can introduce bacteria into the ear canal, potentially causing infections such as otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear.
Despite the fears, specialists stress that earplugs remain useful in certain situations and are widely recommended for people working in loud environments such as construction sites or for those attending concerts, travelling on long-haul flights or dealing with occasional household noise.
Problems are most likely to occur with repeated use, particularly among individuals who naturally produce large amounts of earwax or those with a history of ear surgery, trauma or recurring ear infections.
Sleep experts say the brain typically interprets steady background sound, or silence, as a sign of safety during rest. As a result, devices such as white-noise machines or simple household fans can help mask disruptive sounds without interfering with the ear.
Other measures, including sealing gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping, can also reduce noise from outside sources such as traffic or barking dogs.
For those dealing with a snoring partner, specialists suggest practical solutions ranging from white noise to temporarily sleeping in separate rooms, a strategy sometimes informally referred to as a “sleep divorce.”
Ultimately, doctors say earplugs can be helpful in the short term but should not replace healthier approaches to maintaining a quiet and comfortable sleep environment.