ear plugs...

[Blueberry]

I wouldn't think so, unless you have ears that are prone to infection (i.e. swimmer's ear). My Grandma just had to change styles of hearing aids (sorry, but it's a valid comparison) because she kept getting fungal ear infections from trapped moisture.

Good luck!

CA

[sbctwin]

Brandi, I wear ear plugs almost every night because my DH's snoring is soooo loud. I wear really soft ones and there are some nights I can tell that I must have shoved them in too far the previous night because they hurt . Then I have to go several days without wearing them until my ears are comfortable again . I have to cut mine down to better fit because they are too long. I often wonder the same thing if I should be wearing them every night...I do change them every other night because I can tell when they become too soft, they don't work very good.

[East Hill]

Mimitabby and I do the same thing. As someone who's worked graveyard almost all her adult life (and no one make cracks about how long that is!), I've had to use a fan or the air conditioner fan to mask noise. I can't handle earplugs. They are actually a migraine trigger, as the amplified body noises are too disturbing.

On the other hand, Mr. East Hill doesn't snore.

East Hill

[five one]

I have been wearing ear plugs for years (the soft spongy ones) with no ill effects. Changing every few days is important, as others have said, to prevent the possibility of infections. I am a very light sleeper, too, and have gotten to the point where I can't sleep without them. DH occasionally snores, but he also breathes loudly and that's enough to keep me from falling asleep.

I don't think you have anything to be concerned with as long as you're careful inserting them and make sure they're clean. A good night's sleep is so important!

[mimitabby]

let me put it another way, we have employees in our factories that wear ear plugs every day (8-10 hours a day) and have for years for hearing protection.

I think you're safe!

[annie]

I wear earplugs most night. DH can be quite a snore machine sometimes. They've never caused me any trouble. I do not reuse them more than a few times, tho'.

annie

[Pax]

Now there's a thought...earplugs or a fan for white noise! Like some of you, I'm an incredibly light sleeper and many nights I'm awake for hours. When I was younger it used to make me so angry and now I just don't mind. I've gotten used to being quite functional on four hours of sleep.