5 DIY Ear Plugs That Are Safe for Your Ears (With Instructions)
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If you need a set of earplugs to quiet your environment while you sleep or help keep the water out of your ears while you swim, there are many commercial sets available that are reasonably priced. That said, you can make your own by using a few simple tools and items that you might already have lying around the house. Here are several DIY projects to help get you started.
The 5 DIY Ear Plugs That Are Safe for Your Ears
1. DIY Paper Earplugs
| Materials: | Toilet paper |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The DIY Paper Earplugs project is easy to complete and results in effective noise blocking that can help you sleep at night. It requires only clever folding of toilet paper to complete, and the step-by-step video instructions are easy to follow. You can start using your DIY earplugs in just a few minutes at almost no cost, using materials that you likely already have.
2. DIY Waterproof Earplugs
| Materials: | Beeswax, olive oil, cotton balls |
| Tools: | Saucepan, scissors |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The DIY Waterproof Earplugs project is a fun but simple project that will help you create earplugs out of items that you might already have around the house. It requires heating beeswax and olive oil at a low temperature on the stove, so children will need supervision, but you can make several sets of earplugs in just a few minutes that will last you for a while.
3. DIY Earband
| Materials: | Shower cap |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The DIY Earband project does not create in-ear plugs, but it’s perfect for people looking to keep water out of their ears while swimming. You can repurpose an old shower cap or purchase a new one for this project. They are available in many colors and patterns, so it is easy to find something that you like, and you only need a pair of scissors to complete it.
4. Cheap DIY Ear Plugs
| Materials: | Cotton balls, sandwich bags |
| Tools: | Scissors, pencil |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The Cheap DIY Ear Plugs project is an easy-to-build project that uses an outer plastic shield that helps prevent the plugs from collecting wax, so you can clean them off and reuse them. The instructions are in video form, so it is easy to follow, and you only need a few tools and materials.
5. DIY Homemade Earplugs
| Materials: | Play-Doh, latex or vinyl gloves |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The DIY Homemade Earplugs project involves using Play-Doh and vinyl gloves to create effective plugs for reducing noise in your environment, which can help you sleep better or even protect your hearing. If you have children, you may already have most of the ingredients on hand, and they aren’t that expensive to purchase. Choose vinyl gloves if you are allergic to latex.
Other Tips and Tricks
- If you are having difficulty sleeping because of noise, a white noise machine might help. It creates a soft static that can help mask background noise, so sudden sounds don’t jar you awake.
- Soothing background music can work like white noise to help mask noises in your home that might keep you awake. You can play music through the speakers or use headphones to help block out sound even better.
- Using a fan will create white noise in the environment while helping to keep you cool.
- HEPA air filters create white noise, which might help you sleep better while also purifying the air; some machines are capable of removing the COVID-19 virus.
- Moving your bed or other furniture can help reduce noise.
- Adding carpeting and sound-absorbing wall panels can help reduce the loudness of sounds around you.
FAQs
Do swimming caps keep water out of my ear?
Unfortunately, swimming caps do not keep water out of your ears. Swimmers use them to keep their hair out of their eyes and out of the drain. It also helps reduce drag from the water, but your hair and ears still get wet.
What ear protection do professional swimmers use?
Most professional swimmers do not need plugs or other protection because they are trained to avoid getting water in their ears, and even when it does happen, they know how to dry them out. Beginner swimmers use them to get used to the water, and swimmers that frequently get ear infections might also rely on them to keep water out of their ears.
How can I dry my ears out after a swim?
Tilting your head to the side is often enough to remove the water. Some people recommend taking a hair dryer on a light setting and holding it a foot or more away from the head to help dry out the ears. Avoid sticking your fingers or other objects inside to dry them out.
Conclusion
While there might not be many options for DIY earplugs, the projects here work well and are easy to complete. The DIY Paper Earplugs project is perfect for anyone who needs to sleep better at night or quiet their environment in general. The Cheap DIY Ear Plugs and DIY Homemade Earplugs projects are also ideal for noise reduction, while the DIY Waterproof Earplugs are great for keeping water out of your ears while swimming.
Featured Image Credit: Bokehboo Studios, Shutterstock
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