Is it good to cover your ears? An essential guide to ear health

September 30, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about one in seven U.S. teens shows features of noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears. Understanding when and why it is good to cover your ears is a crucial step toward protecting your hearing from a variety of environmental threats, from loud sounds to cold temperatures.

Quick Summary

This article explores the specific situations where covering your ears is beneficial for health, including protection from noise and cold. It also addresses the potential risks and provides guidance on selecting the appropriate ear-covering method for your needs.

Key Points

Loud Noise Protection: Use earmuffs or earplugs to protect your ears from damage caused by loud noises above 85 decibels, such as at concerts or construction sites.
Cold Weather Prevention: Cover your ears with a hat or earmuffs in cold weather to prevent frostbite and exostosis (abnormal bone growth in the ear canal).
Sleep Aid: Earplugs can improve sleep quality in noisy environments by blocking out disruptive sounds like snoring or traffic.
Hygiene is Key: Regularly clean reusable earplugs and ensure your ears are dry to prevent infections and moisture buildup.
Risk of Blockage: Be aware that long-term use of earplugs can interfere with natural earwax removal, potentially causing blockages or impaction.
Avoid Inserts for Warmth: Do not use cotton swabs or other items inside the ear canal for warmth, as this is ineffective and can cause damage or push wax further in.
Choose the Right Method: Select the appropriate ear covering based on the situation, considering factors like noise level, temperature, and comfort.

Why and When You Should Cover Your Ears

Covering your ears is not a one-size-fits-all practice; its necessity depends entirely on the situation. In many cases, it is a vital preventative measure to protect your long-term ear health.

Protecting Your Hearing from Loud Noise

One of the most critical reasons to cover your ears is to prevent damage from loud noise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that repeated or single exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. To put this in perspective, sounds from a lawnmower, concerts, fireworks, and even headphones at maximum volume can all exceed this threshold. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent, but it is also preventable by using proper hearing protection.

Recommended hearing protection includes:

Earplugs: Devices inserted directly into the ear canal, available in disposable foam, pre-molded rubber, and custom-molded versions. They are effective for concerts, loud work environments, and sporting events.
Earmuffs: These devices cup the entire outer ear, providing a protective seal against noise. They are often easier to use and suitable for situations like working with power tools.
Noise-canceling headphones: These are especially useful for constant background noise, like during air travel, but the technology itself is not considered industrial-grade hearing protection unless labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).

Shielding Ears from Cold and Wind

Your ears are composed mostly of cartilage and have very little insulating fat, making them highly susceptible to cold. Protecting them in cold weather is essential for a number of reasons:

Prevents frostbite: The lack of fat makes ears prone to frostbite in freezing temperatures.
Avoids exostosis: Chronic exposure to cold wind or water can stimulate abnormal bone growth in the ear canal, a condition known as "surfer's ear." This can narrow the ear canal, trapping water and leading to recurrent infections and potential hearing loss.
Reduces ear infections: Covering ears can help prevent moisture buildup that might occur from a buildup of humidity and cold, reducing the risk of infection.

Enhancing Sleep Quality

For those living in noisy environments or sleeping with a snoring partner, covering your ears with plugs can be a pathway to better sleep. Improved sleep quality can lead to reduced stress levels and better overall mental health. Studies show earplugs can be a healthy choice if used correctly and with proper hygiene.

The Risks of Improper Ear Covering

While covering your ears is often beneficial, certain practices can lead to health problems. The primary risks involve the use of earplugs or improper cleaning habits.

Potential for Ear Infections

Earplugs can trap moisture and bacteria inside the ear canal, creating an environment where infections can thrive. This risk is heightened with prolonged, continuous use, especially if the earplugs are not cleaned regularly. Using dirty hands to insert earplugs also increases the risk of introducing bacteria.

Interference with Natural Earwax Removal

Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural part of the ear's self-cleaning process. The action of chewing and jaw movement helps move old earwax toward the outer ear. Regular, prolonged use of earplugs can interfere with this natural migration, potentially causing earwax buildup or impaction. Signs of a blockage include muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness, or ringing in the ears. Pushing objects like cotton swabs deep into the ear canal to clean it is also a dangerous practice that can push wax further in and damage the eardrum.

Choosing the Right Way to Cover Your Ears

To make an informed choice, consider the specific environmental conditions and your personal comfort needs.

Comparison Table of Ear Coverings


Feature	Earmuffs	Earplugs	Hats/Headbands
Primary Use	Loud noise, cold	Loud noise, sleep, water protection	Cold, wind
Effectiveness	Excellent for noise reduction and cold protection	Excellent for noise, good for cold (thermal plugs)	Good for cold and wind, limited for noise
Risks	Potential discomfort with glasses; not always suitable for hot climates	Infection, earwax buildup with long-term use	Traps moisture if worn for long periods, potentially fostering bacteria
Comfort	Highly adjustable, but can feel bulky and hot	Wide variety, from foam to custom-molded silicone	Generally comfortable for short-term use
Hygiene	Wipe clean with a damp cloth; replace cushions	Clean reusable plugs regularly; discard disposables	Wash regularly, especially if wet or sweaty

Best Practices for Ear Health

Maintain good hygiene: Always wash your hands before handling earplugs. Clean reusable earplugs with mild soap and water, and ensure they are completely dry before inserting.
Use sparingly for sleep: If you rely on earplugs for sleep, consider taking breaks from nightly use to allow your ears to breathe and clear naturally.
Choose the right fit: An improper fit can reduce effectiveness and cause discomfort. If you can't find a good fit with standard plugs, custom-molded options are available.
Cover correctly for cold: For cold and wind, ensure your hat or earmuffs provide complete coverage and fit snugly. Avoid stuffing cotton into your ears, as this can push earwax in and hold moisture.
Listen for your body: If you experience earaches, muffled hearing, or a feeling of fullness, take a break from earplugs and consult an audiologist.
Seek professional guidance: For complex issues, a consultation with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can help. An audiogram by a specialist can provide a more accurate assessment than a basic screening.

Conclusion

For anyone considering whether it is good to cover your ears, the answer depends on the context. Covering your ears is a highly effective, and often necessary, strategy for protecting your hearing and overall ear health from noise and cold weather. However, the method of covering and duration of use are critical factors. By choosing the right tool for the job—be it earmuffs for a loud work environment, a hat for a cold day, or clean earplugs for a noisy night—and practicing good hygiene, you can enjoy the protective benefits without risking potential drawbacks like infections or wax buildup. Being mindful of your ear health is a simple but impactful way to preserve one of your most vital senses.

For more information on the various types of hearing protection and how to use them, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) provides a comprehensive guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wearing earplugs for sleep is generally safe and effective for blocking noise and improving sleep quality. However, long-term use carries a small risk of earwax impaction or ear infections if proper hygiene is not maintained. Regularly cleaning reusable plugs and occasionally giving your ears a break is recommended.

To protect your ears from cold and wind, use hats, headbands, or earmuffs that provide full and snug coverage. This helps prevent frostbite and conditions like exostosis, which is abnormal bone growth in the ear canal caused by prolonged cold exposure.

Not covering your ears in cold weather can lead to painful frostbite due to the lack of insulating fat. Prolonged exposure to cold wind can also cause exostosis, leading to recurrent infections and potential hearing loss over time.

Earmuffs are a good choice for loud, intermittent noise exposure where you need to easily remove the protection. They are also less likely to interfere with earwax than earplugs. However, they can be bulky and may not seal properly for people who wear glasses.

Covering your ears can indirectly help prevent certain types of infections. For example, keeping your ears warm and dry in cold weather reduces the risk of moisture-related infections. For swimming, waterproof earplugs can prevent water from entering the ear canal.

Surfer's ear, or exostosis, is the abnormal growth of bone in the ear canal caused by chronic exposure to cold wind and water. Covering your ears with thermal protection or earplugs during cold-weather or water activities protects the sensitive ear canal and prevents this condition.

Reusable earplugs should be cleaned regularly with mild soap and water to prevent the growth of bacteria. It is important to ensure they are completely dry before reinserting them to avoid trapping moisture in the ear canal.