How to put in earplugs correctly (without pain)

A badly fitted earplug is uncomfortable, softens noise poorly and ends up in the sheets in the middle of the night. Yet the right move takes two minutes to learn. Here's how to put your earplugs in correctly, without pain, and keep them in place until morning.

The golden rule: never force

An earplug sits at the entrance of the canal, it isn't pushed in deep. If you have to force it or it hurts, you're going too far or the format isn't right. The ear canal is sensitive: you want a gentle seat, not pressure.

The right move, step by step

1. Clean hands. You're handling something that goes into your ear: wash your hands first.
2. Open up the canal. With the opposite hand, gently pull the top of your ear up and back. This straightens the canal and makes insertion easier.
3. Seat it, don't shove it. Gently insert the earplug until you feel it hug the entrance of the canal and hold on its own.
4. Check the seal. The noise should drop noticeably. If not, take it out and start again: the earplug wasn't positioned right.

Why a flexible stem helps

Many earplugs fall out at night because they have nothing to hold them. A flexible stem that hugs the shape of the canal helps the earplug stay in place when you move or change position. It's one of the principles of Core: a soft silicone with a stem that follows the ear's anatomy, designed precisely not to get pushed out during sleep.

Common mistakes

• Pushing too deep. It hurts and doesn't improve the sound reduction.
• Choosing an unsuitable format. Too big, it pushes and bothers; too small, it falls out. A soft tip adapts better to different canals.
• Putting them back dirty. A clogged earplug irritates and no longer grips well. Clean them regularly.
• Giving up after one try. Fitting becomes a reflex within a few nights. Give yourself time to get the knack.

For sleeping on your side

If you sleep on your side, the profile matters: an earplug that sticks out presses against the pillow and quickly becomes annoying. Favour a low-profile model that stays discreet in the ear, like Core.

Removing your earplugs gently

In the morning, remove them with a gentle, slightly twisting motion, without yanking. Then rinse them and store them in their case for the next night.

In short

Clean hands, open up the canal, seat without forcing, check the noise drops. With a flexible-stem, low-profile earplug, the hold follows naturally. If you want a model made for this night-time move, Core comes in Solo, Duo and Trio, with a 30-night trial to settle into the habit.

Sleep in silence.
— The MUTELY Team