Is It Okay To Wear Earplugs When Meditating (If Its Comfortable)

  • By: Mugen Seki
  • Date: March 3, 2023
  • Time to read: 7 min.

Meditation is a great way to relax and de-stress, but getting into the right frame of mind can be tricky. One of the most common questions people ask about meditation is whether or not it’s okay to wear earplugs.

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including your personal preferences and what type of meditation you’re doing. 

In general, it’s perfectly fine to wear earplugs during meditation. Many people find that it helps them focus more on their practice.

If you’re new to meditation, or if you’re looking for some tips on how to get started, read on for more information.

Key Takeaways

  • Earplugs can be beneficial when meditating as they can block distractions and help you focus on your practice.
  • However, it is important to be mindful of how you use them and to ensure that they are not causing any discomfort.
  • Suppose you find that earplugs are not helpful or comfortable. In that case, there are other options available such as noise-canceling headphones.
  • Ultimately, the best way to meditate is in a way that feels comfortable for you and allows you to focus on your breath and thoughts.
A person putting on earplugs
Is It Okay To Wear Earplugs When Meditating

Here’s The Answer To Is It Okay To Wear Earplugs When Meditating

Yes, it is perfectly fine to wear earplugs when meditating. In fact, for some people, it may be necessary to create the appropriate environment for a successful practice.

If you are a beginner meditator or are easily distracted by external noise, wearing earplugs can help you focus and relax.

  • There are numerous varieties of earplugs on the market, from traditional foam plugs to more modern options like earbuds and noise-canceling headphones.
  • If you’re not sure which type of ear plug is right for you, ask your doctor or a meditation teacher for guidance. In general, however, any type of earplug that is comfortable and does not cause pain or discomfort is a great option.
  • Live in a noisy environment or have loud neighbors. You may find it difficult to meditate without wearing earplugs. This is because much of the white noise and background chatter we hear daily can be quite distracting when trying to focus on our breath or inner thoughts. Wearing earplugs can help block out this excess noise and allow us to better relax and focus during our meditation practice.

Finally, if you suffer from tinnitus or other conditions that make it difficult to hear sounds clearly, wearing earplugs during meditation can improve the sound quality of your practice.

It Is Perfectly Fine To Wear Earplugs When Meditating

Two different types of ear plugs on the floor
It Is Perfectly Fine To Wear Earplugs When Meditating

Just as there’s no right or wrong way to do yoga, there’s also no wrong way to meditate. That said, it is perfectly fine to wear earplugs during meditation if you so choose.

You may want to do this if your activity level at home is high and you want a quiet space for your practice (and/or if you live in New York City).

In case you’re wondering why I’m writing about this topic at length here on my blog: I used to be very sensitive about sound during my meditations.

Even the slightest noise would distract me from the point of the practice and make me feel frustrated that I couldn’t get into it because of all these distractions around me.

Then one day, I decided enough was enough—I went ahead and bought some disposable foam earplugs while we were at Costco (not their best offering by any means), but they did the trick.

Many People Find It Helpful In Order To Avoid Distractions

Many people find it helpful to avoid distractions and focus on their practice. Earplugs are also good for protecting your hearing from the outside world’s noise and even the sound of your thoughts.

If you wear earplugs when meditating, you’ll need to ensure that you’re comfortable with them.

They can be helpful for those who have trouble shutting out their surroundings or focusing on their breathing if there is too much going on in the environment around them or if they’re too easily distracted by sounds like traffic or voices coming from other rooms.

Make Sure The Earplugs Fit Snugly And Comfortable

A person meditating on a pier next to a lake
Make Sure The Earplugs Fit Snugly And Comfortable

Several considerations should be made, such as making sure the earplugs fit snugly and comfortably so that they don’t fall out or cause any discomfort.

If the earplugs are too big (or small) for your ears, they may be difficult to stay in place during your meditation.

You should also ensure that the earplug is not visible when looking in the mirror. If it sticks out from your ear canal too much, get a smaller size or try a good brand of earplug altogether.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Additionally, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and be able to hear if someone is trying to get your attention. You cannot meditate if you can’t hear the sounds around you.

If someone tries to call out or talk to you, then they should find another way because I would rather not interrupt my inner peace by having someone disturb me while I’m in my zen place.

The last thing is for people who are more sensitive when wearing earplugs.

Assume that this person does not want their ears covered up with anything. If that happens, then maybe try some other method instead of using earplugs just yet.

Wearing Earplugs During Meditation Is A Personal Preference

A person meditating on a seashore during a sunset
Wearing Earplugs During Meditation Is A Personal Preference

Ultimately, wearing earplugs during meditation is a personal preference that you should make based on the factors listed above.

You can wear them if they are comfortable for you, but just be aware of your surroundings and be able to hear if someone is trying to get your attention.

How To Choose The Right Earplugs For Meditation?

When choosing earplugs for meditation, you should look for comfortable earplugs that fit your ears well. Furthermore, it’s critical to confirm that you can hear the sound of your breath.

You will also want to find earplugs made from soft and flexible materials so they don’t irritate your ears or fall out as easily. Finally, choosing earplugs that are easy to clean in case, they get dirty during use is helpful.

How To Use Earplugs For Meditation?

If you’ve never used earplugs before, we recommend trying them out a few times at home before meditating with them. Some people fall out easily, and others have trouble keeping them in place.

If you’re worried about this happening, try using the small variety of earplugs first. You can always upgrade to the larger ones later if need be.

  • Choose the right size for your ears: It’s important to get the size right, so they don’t fall out during your meditation. Try different sizes until the earplugs fit comfortably and securely without falling out of your ears too often—this could take some trial and error.
  • Put them incorrectly: To ensure maximum comfort when wearing earplugs during meditation, gently twist each plug inside their case until it sticks outwards slightly (think of how Cheerios look when they come out of their box). Then place each plug into your outer ear canal while holding onto its tail (or stem). To keep everything secure, pull up gently on each tail so that both stick straight upwards towards your head instead of being aimed towards where others are sitting nearby.

Conclusion

Yes, it is perfectly fine to wear earplugs when meditating. Many people find that it helps them to focus and relax more deeply.

If you’re new to meditation, finding a comfortable place to sit or recline is important. Once settled, simply close your eyes and focus on your breath. If your thoughts begin to stray, gently refocus them on your breathing. You may also want to try focusing on a mantra or repeating a certain word or phrase.

Wearing earplugs can help block distractions and allow you to focus more easily on your meditation practice. If you find that they work well for you, use them every time you meditate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sleep with earplugs help me get a good night’s sleep and keep my brain active during the day?

There is evidence that earplugs can help people get a good night’s sleep and reduce noise exposure during the day. However, there are potential negative effects as well, such as hearing other noises when attempting to unwind or sleep. If you want to use earplugs for sleeping, try different types and sizes until you find a pair that fits comfortably and doesn’t fall out of your ears.

How do I know if my ambient noise levels are high enough for me to wear earplugs during meditation?

Suppose you’re considering using earplugs when meditation. It’s important to first determine if the noise levels in your environment are high enough for you to wear earplugs. You can use an app or online noise meter to measure sound levels in a specific room or area. Suppose the sound level is above the recommended threshold for hearing protection. If so, earplugs might be something you want to consider using when meditating.

Will earplugs help me focus better during meditation?

Earplugs can help you to focus better during meditation if the ambient noise levels are too high. However, earplugs may not work well if the noise level is low enough for hearing protection. Suppose the sound in your environment is at or below a noise level recommended for hearing protection. In that case, earplugs won’t necessarily help you focus better.

How do I know if wearing earplugs is right for me?

Suppose you’re considering using earplugs when meditation. It’s important to first determine if the noise levels in your environment are high enough for you to wear earplugs. You can use an app or online noise meter to measure sound levels in a specific room or area. Suppose the sound level is above the recommended threshold for hearing protection. In that case, you may want to consider wearing earplugs during meditation.

 

MugenSeki

My name is Mugen Seki, and I’m a painter and yoga enthusiast who is passionate about bringing together art and exercise in ways that help people connect with their inner selves. When I’m not painting, I’m practicing yoga. And when I’m not doing either of those things, I’m usually thinking about them.