Why Traditional Insertion Earplugs Cause Pain and Discomfort - And How Spares Provide the Solution

For decades, earplugs have been considered the frontline defense against noise-induced hearing loss. From concerts and festivals to construction sites and factory floors, people are told to “just put in earplugs” to protect themselves.

But research shows something many of us already know from personal experience: insertion-style earplugs are uncomfortable, irritating, and often unbearable for long-term use.

And when protection is uncomfortable, people don’t use it consistently - which means they aren’t truly protected.

The Research on Earplug Discomfort

A 2023 study published in Applied Acoustics examined the user experience of insertion earplugs and found four recurring complaints:

  • Pain
  • Pressure
  • Irritation
  • General physical annoyance

(Poissenot-Arrigoni, C., et al., “Analysis of the physical discomfort of earplugs experienced by users,” Applied Acoustics, Elsevier, 2023.)

These issues aren’t trivial. Ear canal anatomy varies from person to person, and forcing foam or silicone plugs deep into the ear can create pressure points, friction, and skin irritation. Over time, that leads to fatigue - and people either take their earplugs out too soon, wear them incorrectly, or stop using them altogether.

The result? Hearing protection that fails when it’s needed most.

Why Discomfort Leads to Risk

Noise-induced hearing loss isn’t an abstract problem. Sustained exposure above 85 decibels - the volume of heavy traffic - can cause temporary threshold shifts (TTS) in hearing, and repeated exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

But if workers, musicians, and concertgoers find earplugs too painful to keep in, they often make a dangerous trade-off: comfort over protection.

This gap between what people should wear and what they can tolerate is one of the biggest failures of traditional earplug design.

The Spares Solution: Non-Insertion Comfort

This is where Spares change the game.

Unlike traditional insertion earplugs that must be squeezed, twisted, and forced into the ear canal, Spares use a non-insertion design. They sit comfortably at the entrance of the ear, forming a secure seal without the pressure, pain, and irritation caused by pushing material deep into the canal.

  • Comfort first: No painful insertion, no pressure buildup.
  • High-fidelity protection: 30 decibels of noise and frequency reduction, targeting the ranges that cause hearing damage.
  • Clarity maintained: Hear music, voices, and your environment the way they’re meant to sound — without muffling.
  • Universal fit: Designed to work with virtually every ear shape.

By removing the discomfort barrier, Spares make hearing protection something you’ll actually want to wear.

Protect Your Hearing Without the Pain

The science is clear: insertion earplugs cause pain and irritation, and that discomfort often leads to inconsistent use. Without consistent use, people remain vulnerable to irreversible hearing loss.

Spares are built to solve that problem.

You don’t have to choose between protection and comfort. With Spares, you get both. Whether you’re on stage, in the crowd, on the job, or on the move, Spares keep your hearing safe — without the pain.

👉 Learn more and get your pair at www.grabyourspares.com.