Earplugs for small ears: how to find a pair that fits

You put in a pair of earplugs and they press. Or they slide back out, slowly, as if your ear is pushing them away.

If that sounds like you, your ears may just be on the small side. Ears come in many sizes, and that is normal. It is a size problem, not a problem with you.

Here is how to tell if a plug is too big, what to look for instead, and how to fit a small one.

Are some ear canals really smaller?

Yes. Ear canals vary a lot from person to person. A 2025 study measured ear canals on scans of 221 ears, from babies to age 91. The authors wrote: "Substantial interindividual variability is observed across all ages, particularly in the canal area."

Canal area means how wide the canal is. So a plug made for an average ear can be too wide for yours.

How can you tell if an earplug is too big?

Watch for these signs:

• It presses or aches within a few minutes.
• You have to push hard to get it in.
• It slowly works its way back out.
• It feels fine on your back, but sore when you lie on your side.

If you notice any of these, try a smaller tip or a smaller shape. A plug that is too small has the opposite problem. It feels loose and lets more sound in.

Why should you never force an earplug in?

Because it can hurt your ear. Ashley Melcher is a nurse practitioner at the Sleep Center at Harborview Medical Center, part of UW Medicine. She told UW Medicine's Right as Rain: "People often try to force too-big earplugs into the canal to get them to fit, which in turn damages the eardrum."

She also said: "If you don't have earplugs that fit correctly, sleeping with them can potentially damage your eardrum."

So if a plug only goes in when you push hard, it is the wrong size for you. Stop, and try a smaller one.

What should you look for in earplugs for small ears?

• Several tip sizes in the boxStart with the smallest and work up.
• A small bodyLess plug means less for your ear, and your pillow, to press on.
• A shape that rests in the outer earSome plugs sit in the bowl of your outer ear, with nothing pushed deep inside.
• Soft siliconeMelcher said: "Silicone is probably the safest for overnight use."
• A trial you can really useYou only know if a pair fits once you have slept in it. Pick one you can return after trying.

There is one more option. Melcher said: "Silicone earplugs can be custom-made." Your doctor can refer you to an audiologist, who takes impressions of your ears.

Which Vespré shape suits small ears?

We have not tested our shapes on small ears. So here is what each one is, not a promise.

• Wing has a soft fin that tucks into the fold of your ear, and several tip sizes in the box. Start with the smallest tip.
• Grip has a flat metal cap you can hold, and several tip sizes in the box.

Every Vespré shape comes with 30 nights to try, and worn pairs are fine to return. So you can find your fit at home, on your own pillow.

How do you put in a small earplug?

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders gives these steps for pre-molded earplugs. It says they "are made from plastic, rubber, or silicone." Ours are soft silicone.

1. Start with clean hands and the smallest tip.
2. "Gently pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite hand to straighten your ear canal."
3. With your other hand, "gently slide the earplug into the ear canal, using a rocking motion until you have sealed the ear canal."
4. If it presses, take it out and try the next tip. Check each ear on its own.
5. To take it out, "slowly rock them back and forth to break the seal," then gently pull it out.

There are more fitting tips in how to put in earplugs the right way. If your earplugs still fall out, read why your earplugs keep falling out.

When should you see a doctor?

If an earplug has hurt your ear, or the pressure does not go away, ask a doctor.

UW Medicine's Right as Rain says to stop using earplugs "if you notice any signs of infection, which typically include ear pain, redness, itching, a sensation of fluid in your ears or hearing loss."

It also says to watch for a wax blockage: "If you have an impaction, you might experience muffled hearing, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), or earaches."

And before your first night: 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. For more on safe use, read is it bad to sleep with earplugs every night?

Related reading: Why do earplugs hurt when you sleep on your side? What to try.

Questions people ask

How do I know if I have small ear canals?

You can't measure it at home, but your earplugs give clues. If most plugs press, ache or slowly push out, try a smaller tip or a smaller shape. A doctor can look in your ears if you are unsure.

What should I look for in earplugs for small ears?

Look for a small, soft silicone plug with several tip sizes, and start with the smallest tip. A shape that rests in the outer ear is also worth a try. Never push a plug in hard to make it fit.

Can earplugs that are too big hurt your ears?

They can. A sleep nurse practitioner at UW Medicine warned that forcing too-big earplugs into the canal "damages the eardrum." If a plug only goes in when you push hard, size down.

Which Vespré earplug should I try for small ears?

Start with Wing on its smallest tip. It has several tip sizes in the box and a soft fin that tucks into your ear. We can't promise it fits every ear, so you get 30 nights to try it, and worn pairs are fine to return.

Can my two ears need different sizes?

They can. Check each ear on its own, and use the tip that feels snug in that ear.

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.