Are Earplugs Dangerous for Ears if Disturbed Inside Ear?

doggydruel

I have been thinking over this question for months, seeing that I get a variety of bad symptoms after using earplugs for a while (ear pain, muffled hearing, balance problems, eye pain, migraine stuff etc.).

Today I had put my earplugs in as usual while walking along a busy street. I ended up putting my hands over my ears when I fire engine passed; by accident I grazed the end of the earplug which then made a very loud bang in response as it sits right in the ear (kinda like a gunshot though likely not nearly as powerful).
The end results were transient balance problems/vertigo, nausea, drooping eyelid, pain radiating around that side of the head and into the jaws, hyperacusis, new tinnitus, and I believe a bit of hearing loss. The sound was loud so I am not too surprised.

This happens often when removing my plugs or when I bump them, which can produce a loud, shock wave type of sensation. I also wonder whether I cause this problem while adjusting the plugs (pushing them in to create a better suction in my case). I am generally careful, but I have to wear earplugs in most (noisy) situations due to having extremely vulnerable ears to begin with. Accidents are sometimes inevitable in this regard.

Is it under anyone's impression that this use of earplugs damaging my inner ear (coclea) and that earplugs are actually potentially dangerous, ironically when compared to what they shield you against? I am debating about whether to switch to noise cancelling headphones because I am increasingly suspicious.

Thanks!