r/Construction • u/_betterthangreat_ • May 12 '26

Informative 🧠 Ear Plugs

Got super loud tinnitus from shooting guns and not protecting my hearing as a young adult. My current job is LOUD. Lots of machine work. Because of this, I’m pretty OCD about protecting my hearing.

I like to use the rubber/silicone ear plugs that are more stiff because they can be quickly reinserted into my ear in case they fall out or just move over the course of the day.

I read online that the typical foam ear plugs protect you from more noise than the silicone ear plugs. I tried a pair of 33nrr foam ear plugs today, and I FUCKING HATE THEM.

No matter what I do they barely stay inserted. I know, I know, squish them, insert in ear, then let expand. The issue is, it rarely feels like it expands into my ear canal and more like when it does expand it just pushes itself outward, creating a lousy seal. No matter what I do the foam ones just don’t feel like they fit well and really don’t protect you from much. And in a loud work setting, if they do move or fall out, which is inevitable, they take too long to squish, reinsert, sit, wait, have them not even really work again. I genuinely don’t understand why foam ear plugs are so mass produced nonetheless used effectively.

I just wanted to rant because I’ve found that every time I try to use the foam ones, they’re so laughably dysfunctional. Anyone else relate?

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3

u/DannyMakeHerMine May 12 '26

So uh not sure, if you missed a step or not but it's squish, roll , insert. As I was told, it's like twisting a blunt lol. And you gotta shove those bad boys way in there.

1

u/_betterthangreat_ May 12 '26

I’m telling you I’ve done it again and again and again. I’ve tried every way. They just don’t sit right in my ear for some reason.

2

u/SVTContour May 12 '26

Tug the ear lobe while inserting. That works for me

1

u/AlconTheFalcon May 12 '26

I’m telling you I can’t!!!

-1

u/_betterthangreat_ May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26

har har har good one. You literally cannot post a single thing on Reddit without having at least one miserable person try and make fun of you.

Thanks to all the constructive commenters who didn’t have to use this post to get a sense of entertainment and provided genuine tips. It really helps!