Boots Foam Earplugs > Reviews (4)

I have had some problems with my ears in the past six months or so. I have had a burst eardrum and several ear infections. Because of these problems I have come to really respect my ears and have taken to using earplugs on any occasion when I may be surrounded by very loud noise or when I may be getting my ears wet. Because the bulk of my problems have been in one ear I have been very careful to use foam earplugs so that I can mark them and ensure that I do not mix my earplugs up if I am going to be re-using them.

I have tried a few brands of earplugs in the past six months and these Boots ones are one of the most recent ones that I have been using. The cost of three pairs of earplugs and a plastic carrying case is £2.59. This is quite a reasonable price, particularly for this useful little carry case, and I would be willing to pay that again even without the case. These are probably the second cheapest earplugs per set that I have purchased since I began using earplugs and there is the case too which is a fantastic feature and definitely helped to sell me on these when choosing my earplugs in store.

These foam earplugs are washed and this just adds to their appeal for me. I like it when I can reuse earplugs as I do not like too much wastage and also I do not want to spend several pounds every single week of the year just to take care of one small part of my body. Really it goes without saying but earplugs should be kept clean and hygienic and the plastic case allows me to do this without worrying about germs and dirt getting in to my ear canals.

These earplugs, like most, are simple to use. All you need to do is place these in to your ear and they should become quite fitted to the shape of your ear canal. When you first start using earplugs it will feel quite weird and the first few times I used foam earplugs I found them to be a little bit uncomfortable. I did persevere though as a bit of discomfort when showering, bathing or listening to loud noises means I do not suffer from earaches or ear problems like I used to. To ensure that my earplugs fit well I tend to squeeze and roll the earplug back and forth between my fingers. This changes the shape of my earplugs and makes them thinner and longer making it easier for me to put them in to my ear and wait for them to shape to my ear a little better. I tend to hold mine in place for a few seconds and then I can feel that it has moulded to my ear and so I can take my fingers away and have my bath or whatever I am going to do.

These foam earplugs do not block out sound as much as in ear silicone ones but they do work very well. I can have a bath in confidence and as long as I don't go splashing loads of water against my ear my ear canals stay dry and hygienic. I do mark my earplugs (well one of them with an R on the bottom) so that if I need to remove them briefly I can be sure that I am putting them back in the same ears as before. The sound that I can hear is very muffled so I can at least be aware of what is going on around me without having them jammed right in to my ear.

I find foam earplugs quite comfortable apart from the first few days that I began using them. I am careful to take my time so as not to cause any friction inside my ear canal. These earplugs can be washed using warm soapy water and then left to dry naturally. I always stand them up on the end that is usually outside of my ear and then once dried I place them inside the plastic case that comes with them.

Overall I have been very pleased with these foam earplugs. The price is reasonable for something that is washablae and the case helps to keep them clean and hygienic. I love that I can wash these and therefore don't have to spend as much money replacing them constantly.