Properly Insert Earplugs for Better Protection

You've probably used earplugs before, but there's a good chance you aren't truly blocking sound with casual insertion. If you want to really block sound, you've got to really plug them in. Consumer Reports show us how.

Rather than just shoving them into your ears as-is, the key is to roll each plug into a tight little cylinder, and then pull up on your ear to slide the thin tube into your ear canal. Don't worry if it seems too small, as a proper plug will expand to fill the contours of your ear. The key tip is that if someone can see most of the plug in your outer ear, you probably don't have the plug in tight enough. Here's how Consumer Reports recommends putting them in:

Earplugs, one of the key overlooked college items, are an underutilized resource for plane sleeping, long vacuum sessions, and activities that expose one to way too much noise. Learn how to use them properly, and tell us how they help you out below.