If you use ear plugs made of silicone (most on the market now are made of silicone), you don't have to replace them every two weeks. My pair has lasted me almost a year now (original cost 3.98). You can kill any bacteria on them by putting them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then simply air dry them afterwards. Don't worry about melting the plugs, as silicone is extremely heat resistant.