A manually operable dispenser for dispensing earplugs from a container of earplugs, the dispenser including a dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis and comprising: a stationary separator assembly including: a guide wall projecting from a platform to define a well for receiving earplugs from container, a plurality of circumferentially arranged bore structures each forming a bore extending from an entrance opening in the platform to an exit opening at a trailing side opposite the platform; and an index assembly rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, the index assembly including: a handle defining a longitudinal axis, a plate connected to the handle and forming a dispensing aperture, a mixing body connected to the plate opposite the handle and having an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined, at least in part, by: a cone portion forming the exterior surface to taper in diameter from the lower end toward the upper end, a paddle portion projecting radially, relative to the longitudinal axis, from the cone portion at the lower end, wherein the exterior surface is asymmetrical; wherein at least the lower end is disposed within the well; and further wherein the dispenser is configured such that a manually-applied rotational force at the handle: selectively aligns the dispensing aperture with the exit opening of individual ones of the bores, selectively arranges the paddle portion to at least partially cover the entrance opening of individual ones of the bores. a stationary separator assembly including: a guide wall projecting from a platform to define a well for receiving earplugs from container, a plurality of circumferentially arranged bore structures each forming a bore extending from an entrance opening in the platform to an exit opening at a trailing side opposite the platform; and a guide wall projecting from a platform to define a well for receiving earplugs from container, a plurality of circumferentially arranged bore structures each forming a bore extending from an entrance opening in the platform to an exit opening at a trailing side opposite the platform; and an index assembly rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, the index assembly including: a handle defining a longitudinal axis, a plate connected to the handle and forming a dispensing aperture, a mixing body connected to the plate opposite the handle and having an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined, at least in part, by: a cone portion forming the exterior surface to taper in diameter from the lower end toward the upper end, a paddle portion projecting radially, relative to the longitudinal axis, from the cone portion at the lower end, wherein the exterior surface is asymmetrical; a handle defining a longitudinal axis, a plate connected to the handle and forming a dispensing aperture, a mixing body connected to the plate opposite the handle and having an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined, at least in part, by: a cone portion forming the exterior surface to taper in diameter from the lower end toward the upper end, a paddle portion projecting radially, relative to the longitudinal axis, from the cone portion at the lower end, wherein the exterior surface is asymmetrical; a cone portion forming the exterior surface to taper in diameter from the lower end toward the upper end, a paddle portion projecting radially, relative to the longitudinal axis, from the cone portion at the lower end, wherein the exterior surface is asymmetrical; wherein at least the lower end is disposed within the well; and further wherein the dispenser is configured such that a manually-applied rotational force at the handle: selectively aligns the dispensing aperture with the exit opening of individual ones of the bores, selectively arranges the paddle portion to at least partially cover the entrance opening of individual ones of the bores. selectively aligns the dispensing aperture with the exit opening of individual ones of the bores, selectively arranges the paddle portion to at least partially cover the entrance opening of individual ones of the bores.