Can putting plugs in ears cause dizziness?
Can putting plugs in ears cause dizziness?
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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Wednesday 31st July 2024
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[redacted]

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Wednesday 31st July 2024
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Get custom plugs. Best thing I ever did. Foam ones were just so inconsistent for me and never felt they were really working well until they were practically touching my brain.

trickywoo

14,212 posts

260 months

Wednesday 31st July 2024
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Never experienced that myself.

The only thing I can think of being an issue is if one is fitted better than the other meaning higher sound one side which could be disorienting.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Wednesday 31st July 2024
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Without trying to sound clever, google "earplugs problems dizziness" or something like that.

"Based on the search results, earplugs can potentially cause dizziness in some individuals. Here are some key findings:..........."

Herr Schnell

2,352 posts

229 months

Wednesday 31st July 2024
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It's the inner ear which regulates balance so I'd see an audiologist for a check if I were you. Could be something as simple as a wax plug deep in the ear needing irrigation or something else entirely.





anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
I take it you couldn't be botherd reading further than the first page of results or perhaps changing the query slightly to get other results.

srob

12,530 posts

268 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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I've never managed to get on with wearing ear plugs when riding. I wouldn't necessarily say it makes me dizzy but more disorientated feeling, which is really disconcerting.

Tam_Mullen

2,806 posts

202 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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lancslad58 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I take it you couldn't be botherd reading further than the first page of results or perhaps changing the query slightly to get other results.

Look at the sheer number of threads the OP starts/comments on. Its not really about getting an answer, most people would spend seconds on google and get what theyre looking for.

srob

12,530 posts

268 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Tam_Mullen said:
lancslad58 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I take it you couldn't be botherd reading further than the first page of results or perhaps changing the query slightly to get other results.

Look at the sheer number of threads the OP starts/comments on. Its not really about getting an answer, most people would spend seconds on google and get what theyre looking for.
Isn't that kind of the point of a forum though? Bit like being down the pub, you could answer almost any question with a quick Google but there's little/no fun in that. Even though everyone knows that someone who just googles and ends any fun debates hehe

Sam Aigal

78 posts

40 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Hmm, I thought it was the NPE section which was the home of ad homs and this was generally a safe place to ask questions.
For my part I'm happy to see all sorts of questions, some of which I'm interested in, some of which I'm not.
As regards ear plugs causing dizziness there could definitely be a link. As mentioned above balance is controlled by organs in the middle ear. A change in pressure could theoretically cause these to get a bit out of whack ( human physiology is nothing if not weird). Almost certainly nothing to worry about but unexpected vertigo can be an early sign of something that needs checking out. I'd keep an eye ( or ear) on it, especially if it starts happening for other reasons than ear plugs.

ujio

439 posts

200 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Exasperated said:
Get custom plugs. Best thing I ever did. Foam ones were just so inconsistent for me and never felt they were really working well until they were practically touching my brain.
Would you recommend any specific company for this? I realise my foam ones might not be as tight as they should be.

black-k1

12,802 posts

259 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Well, literally less than 2 minutes with Google identified a number of other cases where this happens. It would appear that a number of those cases were a result of reusing disposable plugs. Do you do that? If so, try using a new set of plugs every time you put them into your ears.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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ujio said:
Would you recommend any specific company for this? I realise my foam ones might not be as tight as they should be.
This is the place I used, and I bought a set of their filtered plugs: https://ultimateear.com/product-category/motorcycl...

The best thing about custom plugs is the fit is always the same when you pop them in. You don't have to worry about pushing them in too far or not far enough, they're always perfectly positioned.

ujio

439 posts

200 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Exasperated said:
This is the place I used, and I bought a set of their filtered plugs: https://ultimateear.com/product-category/motorcycl...

The best thing about custom plugs is the fit is always the same when you pop them in. You don't have to worry about pushing them in too far or not far enough, they're always perfectly positioned.
Thanks a lot! Hopefully these will be comfortable and stay in place and very effective. Just realised the foam ones I use seem to worm their way out at some point.

Caddyshack

14,967 posts

236 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Another vote here for custom plugs

Also, don't go poking around inside the ear canal for ear-wax. Fine to clean just the outer ear but wax / ears are self cleaning and anything else should be left to a pro - this COULD cause ear issues.

With custom plugs you can change the filters to allow a bit more noise in as too much can take some getting used to and balance problems.

trickywoo

14,212 posts

260 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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Everyone is different but I've used the rhubarb and custard Howard Leight for years without issue.

I also reuse them. I quite often sleep with them in so prolonged use.

Bob_Defly

5,876 posts

261 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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black-k1 said:
Well, literally less than 2 minutes with Google identified a number of other cases where this happens. It would appear that a number of those cases were a result of reusing disposable plugs. Do you do that? If so, try using a new set of plugs every time you put them into your ears.
I sometimes reuse mine a couple of times. Anyone else?

Lil_Red_GTO

808 posts

173 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
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You could try the rubber Christmas tree type like Auritech. They have a little tube that lets some sound through and I find them less isolating that the disposable foam type. They might cause a bit less of a pressure issue.

BlackG7R

725 posts

211 months

Monday 12th August 2024
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I tried these yellow foam earplugs I had from work, they are fine for just cutting out noise in a workshop environment, but on the bike I found they took so much of my hearing away, I was really struggling with my balance. I didn't make it 2 miles before I had to stop and take them out.

I now use the green low density foam plugs, much more comfortable, and no problems with balance.

Lambo FirstBlood

1,001 posts

209 months

Tuesday 13th August 2024
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I use the rhubarb and custard disposables too and reuse them a number of times - basically until they lose their “sponginess”

I did buy some very expensive custom fitted guards but I never got on with them. I much prefer the disposable, 100 pairs for £12. You live and learn.