Trash night (early morning) is once a week in my area. You can use the ear plugs strategically.

I've been using them for decades without issue, FWIW.

ime finding the right earplugs is the key. there are lots of options a of diameter, density and material to try out. getting the right one made a big difference for me

That's bad, because I suffer from pulse-synchronous tinnitus and they help. Can't find a cause though, on some days it's gone completely.

yeah my wife has some custom made silicon ones. She frequently gets external otitis from wearing them too many nights in a row.

I guess it depends on the person because I've been wearing them every night for years with no side effects. I use those laser lite ones and use a new pair every night (they're very cheap).

The only downside is you get used to the quiet and it means when I don't sleep with them I get a worse night sleep than I used to. (But I still get a better night sleep with them than when I didn't use them.)