Your Earplugs Need Cleaning Right Now! Here’s Why
jyotsana raoBE 
Experience: 4 yearsJyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup... more
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Imagine this. You’re on a trip, and one of your friends asks for your toothbrush since he/she forgot hers/his at home. What would your reaction be? You’ll feel disgusted, right?
Earplugs are no different! As these are in constant contact with our ears, it’s quite gross to share your earplugs with others.
Earplugs, ear buds, or earphones, whatever you like to call them, have become a necessary part of our lives. You might use them all day long – while traveling to the office, during office hours, and while commuting back home. But carrying your earplugs everywhere and then repeatedly putting them inside your ears is actually gross.
Here’s why: As we all know, our ears are full of wax, dead cells, and bacteria. Even though wax seems gross, it is actually harmless. In simple terms, wax is a by-product of our ear that cleanses germs and dust by itself. It doesn’t cause infection in the body. However, if the bacterial count increases or if new bacteria enter your ears, then it can be dangerous and may cause severe ear infections.
Since your earplugs are in constant contact with your ears, the wax gets stuck to your plugs, and they become sticky. And then, you keep them in your bag, your study table, and wherever you want to. By doing this, the germs in those areas get stuck to your earplugs since sticky or waxy things attract germs and moisture.
Now that your earplugs are covered with wax and germs, a layer is formed that traps bacteria and prevents their growth.
Now think about the surfaces where you keep your earphones, and how many germs are getting stuck on them. And all that is going right inside your ears! This was all about the germs in places where you keep your earphones. You can imagine what will happen when you allow your friends to use your earplugs. It introduces a new flow of microbial flora in your ears i.e. a new kingdom of bacteria is going to start forming right in your ears. Research says that the germs carried through earplugs can increase the chances of ear infection by almost ten fold.
Although we all love using our earplugs, you must maintain good hygiene to decrease the risk of ear infection and ear fungus.
I have come up with a solution to prevent ear infections.
The solution is very simple: make it a habit of disinfecting your earphones regularly (at least once in a week). Keep them in a safe place or a pouch that is meant solely for your earphones. While disinfecting, make sure that you do not spray the liquid too much as it can damage the inside wiring. Another important point – do not share it with others.
Now that you know what damage an earplug can cause to your ears, just stop whatever you’re doing right now, and clean your earplugs.
I hope you find this post useful. Share your views in the comments box below.
