The short answer
Yes, a few times, if they are clean and still puff back to full size. Foam is made to be thrown away, and the open foam can hold dirt and germs. If you wear earplugs every night, soft silicone you can rinse and keep is the easier choice.
Foam earplugs come in big jars, so it is easy to wear the same pair night after night. But how many nights is too many? Here is what hearing experts say, the signs a foam pair is done, and what to use instead if you wear earplugs every night.
Can you reuse foam earplugs?
You can, but not for long. The NIDCD says foam earplugs "are meant for one-time use, but they can be reused if they are clean and still fully expand to their “like new” shape."
So the test is simple. If a pair is clean and springs back to its full size, it is fine for another night. If it is dirty, flat or slow to puff up, it is time for a new pair.
Why are foam earplugs made for one use?
Foam is full of tiny open holes. That is what makes it soft and squishy, and it is also where the trouble starts.
Consumer Reports says foam earplugs "can be used only a few times" because of this open pore structure. Cleveland Clinic audiologist Valerie Pavlovich Ruff told them it gives foam a "tendency to breed bacteria."
"The reality is that people will use them more than once." William Murphy, NIOSH
Murphy, a health physicist at NIOSH, said this to Safety+Health magazine. He also said: "It’s a disposable product. It’s meant to be thrown away."
How do you know a foam earplug is done?
Check each pair before bed. Throw it out if you see any of these:
- It stays flatRoll it and let go. If it no longer puffs back to its “like new” shape, it won't fit well.
- It looks dirtyGray spots, wax or a dark color mean it is not clean anymore.
- It cracks or tearsSafety+Health says earplugs that show "cracking, dirt or wear also should be disposed of."
- It smellsIf it smells, it is not clean anymore. Bin it.
Can you wash foam earplugs?
Foam is not made to be washed. It is sold as a throw-away product, and the NIDCD rule is about pairs that are still clean, not pairs you try to scrub clean. If a pair needs washing, it is time for a new one.
Two more NIDCD tips: "Do not cut or tear foam earplugs to make them fit." And "Never force earplugs into your ears." If foam never feels right, try another kind of earplug.
What should you use if you wear earplugs every night?
If earplugs are part of your bedtime every night, a pair you can wash makes life easier. Soft silicone earplugs can be rinsed, dried and put back in the case. You don't have to guess if a pair is still clean, and there is no jar to refill.
Fit matters too. The NIDCD says earplugs "should feel comfortable and secure in your ears." See which earplugs are best for sleeping for how foam, silicone, wax and custom-molded compare.
How do you keep reusable earplugs clean?
Wash your hands before you touch them. Rinse the earplugs in warm water in the morning, let them dry fully in the air, then put them in their case. Our guide on how to clean silicone earplugs has the full routine, and what never to use on them.
Give your ears a break now and then too. Consumer Reports notes that Ruff says using earplugs at night could cause wax to build up. Read is it bad to sleep with earplugs for the signs to watch for.
If you need to hear a baby, an alarm or someone who may need you at night, check you can still hear them with your earplugs in.
Want a pair you can wash and keep? See our guide to reusable earplugs for sleeping.
Questions people ask
How many times can you reuse foam earplugs?
There is no set number. The NIDCD says foam earplugs can be reused if they are clean and still fully expand to their “like new” shape. Consumer Reports says they can be used only a few times.
Is it bad to sleep in the same foam earplugs every night?
Foam is not made to be washed, so a pair worn night after night does not stay clean. Cleveland Clinic audiologist Valerie Pavlovich Ruff told Consumer Reports foam has a "tendency to breed bacteria." Swap to a fresh pair often, or use earplugs you can rinse.
Can you wash foam earplugs with soap and water?
Foam is made to be thrown away, not washed. If a pair is dirty, replace it. If you want earplugs you can wash and keep, choose silicone.
Why won't my foam earplugs expand anymore?
Foam wears out with use. Once it stops puffing back to full size, it won't seal well in your ear. That is a sign to throw the pair away.
Are silicone earplugs better than foam for sleeping?
It depends on you. Foam is cheap and very soft. Silicone can be rinsed and kept, which suits people who wear earplugs every night. Our guide to putting earplugs in helps with either kind.
Every Vespré shape comes with more than one tip size and 30 nights to decide. Worn pairs are fine to return. Buy 2 pairs of Wing or Grip and the silk sleep mask is free.
