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Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
#1
Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
I'd like to use earplugs when sleeping to aid in noise reduction. Would there be any pressure issues with CPAP usage at the same time? I'm already a bit congested and am having ear issues because of it, but when it clears up (hopefully soon), I'd like to try and use earplugs. 

If anyone else is using them, any issues? Any specific brands to use?
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#2
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
I sleep with earplugs using my APAP and never have any issues. I use Flents Quiet Please. They are the white tubular ones. Different type of foam than the tapered ones.
Jeff8356

MacBook Air (2017, Intel) | macOS Monterey (12.7) | OSCAR v1.5.1 | VM = Win10/Win11 |
How to Links:
Installing OSCAR on a Mac
Organizing your OSCAR charts
Attaching screenshots and files for the forum
OSCAR Help
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#3
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
I would recommend earplugs that breath like foam ones. The silicone that seals out may cause pressure issues from the built up pressure from the CPAP machine. I find that if air flow is strong, high sealing earplugs would cause stuffy feel to the ear with pressure to it. And this is probably not good for ear health.
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#4
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
I agree about earplugs that don't completely block air flow.

I use earplugs nightly. But when I'm stuffed up, I don't wear them because it makes my ears hurt more.
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#5
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
(10-25-2021, 09:23 AM)Jeff8356 Wrote: I sleep with earplugs using my APAP and never have any issues.  I use Flents Quiet Please.  They are the white tubular ones.  Different type of foam than the tapered ones.

(10-25-2021, 09:26 AM)CorruptAlligator Wrote: I would recommend earplugs that breath like foam ones.  The silicone that seals out may cause pressure issues from the built up pressure from the CPAP machine.  I find that if air flow is strong, high sealing earplugs would cause stuffy feel to the ear with pressure to it.  And this is probably not good for ear health.

Thanks! Do the Flents Quiet Please allow air to flow? Or do you guys have any other recommendations?
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#6
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
I can't say with certainty if the Flents "breath" or not.  I believe they are PVC foam as opposed to Urethane foam like many others.  I have a sensitivity to Urethane which is how I started using these instead.
But I have used them when I was stuffy (cold, allergies) with my APAP and never noticed any type of pressure feeling.

You can get a small box of them from a local pharmacy, possibly Walmart or Target. They are relatively inexpensive if you want to test them out.  I usually get the big bulk container.  I also use them when doing yard work, leaf blower, trimmer, mower noise, etc.
Jeff8356

MacBook Air (2017, Intel) | macOS Monterey (12.7) | OSCAR v1.5.1 | VM = Win10/Win11 |
How to Links:
Installing OSCAR on a Mac
Organizing your OSCAR charts
Attaching screenshots and files for the forum
OSCAR Help
OSCAR - The Guide

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#7
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
Your inner ear is connected to airway by narrow tubes called eustachian tubes.

Your inner ear is separated from the outer ear by your ear drum.

CPAP pressure will increase pressure in the inner ear but that pressure will not go into the outer ear unless you have issues like a perforated ear drum. The only real way CPAP can cause a pressure increase in outer ear is if you use an ear plug that doesn't leak at all and you put it in before you turn the CPAP machine on, then the CPAP machine increases pressure pushing ear drum outward compressing air in outer ear slightly. If that is something that is bothersome try putting in the ear plugs after you have turned CPAP on.

Furthermore many (maybe even most) of the foam earplugs are closed cell foam which doesn't breath.

Find an earplug that is comfortable, that is likely far more important than breathability imo.
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#8
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
Use them every night. Was using the silicone ear plugs you mold to your ear and switched to Loop which are washable, soft and comfortable. Husband snores loudly thus the need for earplugs and sadly he refuses to do anything about it in spite of my success. Sigh…
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#9
RE: Earplugs safe to use with CPAP?
(11-04-2021, 11:19 AM)YipeekiOH Wrote: Use them every night. Was using the silicone ear plugs you mold to your ear and switched to Loop which are washable, soft and comfortable. Husband snores loudly thus the need for earplugs and sadly he refuses to do anything about it in spite of my success. Sigh…

As my wife told me pre-CPAP, it only takes her one pillow to stop my snoring. Permanently. 

I went for a sleep study instead.
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