What a lovely quiet video. Isn't it awful we have to resort to this because of other people! Audible cutoff would be such a great concept wouldn't it? Thanks for the advice 😊
Glad you liked the video Marion! Maybe one day we'll have voice controlled windows, walls and ceilings that respond to the command "Total external sound block please". Until then, we have bits of foam to stuff in our ears.
It's been 2 months of 4 hour nights for me. I'm depressed and defeated by the next door neighbors (loud music at 1 AM), upstairs neighbors (doing laundry and tumbling sounds at 2 AM), and my other neighbor (dog barks and whines throughout the day when I try to catch up on missed sleep). Wish me luck.
Good luck! That sounds like an awful lot of noise to contend with. I hope you choose some earplugs that at the very least make some of that noise a bit more tolerable, even if it sounds to me like you'd be very lucky to block it all out. I hope I'm wrong for your sake though!
@@nosleeplessnights1 Found the cure. Got my first 2 nights of 8-hour sleep. 1) Hearos orange soft earplugs, inserted with the Proper technique 2) Lasko box fan acting as a white noise generator You might also want to look into reviewing the Radians custom molded earplugs that are $9 on Amazon, they are great from what I've read online. Have one on the way, will let you know how it is. Some people make custom molded earphones with them too
Nice video, no annoying noise or too loud music taking away from the presenter. Good basic, solid practical advice showing the range of products available. I am a taller man with a good sized head for my body.
Thanks for the kind words and helpful feedback Kevin! Funnily enough, I've been experimenting with low volume backing music in recent videos. Your comment is making me wonder how many other people prefer not to have background music! If anyone else reads this comment, and has an opinion, please let me know. I've also just created a community poll to ask people (my first one - yey!) Thanks for the inspiration Kevin!
I had used corded industrial foam ear plugs for many years to block out snoring, however 3 years ago i discovered corded ribbed plastic ones one Amazon that are far superior at noise blockage and because of the ribs, are quite effective without pushing them in as far as possible. I found that inserting them the pulling them out slightly engages the ribs to expand to block the sound very effectively. But I also found the cord conducts noise of anything it rubs against so its very necessary to cut the cord leaving about 3/4" on each plug and tucking it into an outer ear channel. This way there is still something to grab for removal.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It's always good to hear from people who have had a different experience to me. I know some people do like the plastic ones, but they just aren't for me. If they work for you though, that's all that matters:-)
Never used ear plugs in my life as I’m a heavy sleeper. But Just moved into a new flat, with multiple levels of noise, the worst at 3 am, so this video is very useful. My Ear canals are probably small, I find 36db Moldex effective, but uncomfortable and “itchy” to wear. I’ll try some of the others gradually
@Yin over Yang Howard Leight Laser Lite soft foam earplugs are really good there's a great little video on here that shows how to insert them properly..they dont block out my foghorn snoring partner 😤 but outside noises i cannot hear at all👂I hope you get some peace 🙏Sweet dreams 😴
I've worn earplugs for years almost daily between work and home use. I've used dozens of brands. The best advice I have is to try to buy them in bulk. I love Howard Leight laser lite, max lite, champion, 3m tekk, 3m classic, north, there's so many great ones.
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who thinks that way! I'm sometimes hesitant to recommend buying multiple versions because I don't want to come across as pushing people to spend more money than necessary. But when I talk to people I meet, that's what I always tell them to do when they ask about earplugs. That and give them a few different pairs to try if they are visiting me. It's always appreciated:-)
@@nosleeplessnights1 I went to an overstock nonprofit store that sells stuff dirt cheap while I was visiting my sister. I got a case of 200 pairs of North brand earplugs there for $8.00. I won't need any for quite awhile.
I think investing in your sleep is never a bad thing, especially if you have sleep problems. How much you invest is a personal matter, of course, but at least with products like earplugs it's not too expensive to find good ones. When it comes to more expensive things like the bed frame and mattress, it's more important to get it right and not end up wasting your money.
For me, Flent Contour were the best. I like to also wear a Musicozy over top of them for extra silence. EarPlugs are great for apartment living because Sleep deprivation will destroy your health.
thanks for making this video, living with housemates is difficult when you all have different schedules come in and go out at all different times of day.
Super thanks to the makers of Mack's ear plugs! I have been using your product for many years now, and especially lifesaving during these season of obnoxiously Loud partying, shopping that is simply Devoid of the real meaning of the celebration
Good video. I did the same thing over about a year. I'm a needs to be pitch black and silet light sleeper. Good combo in military aviation. I also used them on the flightline and flights and as a daily motorycle rider since 2009 I use A LOT of them. I have a pair of Ducatis once of which is STUPID loud. (Clank clank clank. Trust me if you hear one you'll know what I am talking about) After buying stock in Mack earplugs I ended up using the Mack’s Ultra Softs. Tan ones. They REALLY block most noises. Ontop of being a light sleeper I like a slightly cooler room and a fresh air feel which a fan on low does nicely. Guess what I hate? Yep. Fan noise when I sleep. SOOOO. In between the helicopters, other people, fan, AC, fridge and whatever that is crawling in the wall while my cats stare at it the Mack’s Ultra Soft ended up being the best for me. I might have larger ears. Every once in a while one refuses to come out and requires endless pinching or a random something to get it started but it's very and few and far between uses that it happens. I've used earplugs to sleep since 2008. Can't recommend the Mack’s Ultra Soft enough. Sometimes you get "duds" They just don't expand enough. Again it's not that often. I've never had health issues with them being all together and not wrapped. Honestly I would HATE it if they were individually wrapped. I do have an impressive collection of random single pair holders. Military redundancy training and anything worth doing is worth going full stupid so it's not out of ordinary to find 3 or 4 cases on me. I've tried their other supposedly higher noise blocking plugs. I've never been able to tell the difference so just stick to the size differences until you find one you like. The extra 2 bucks or so never seemed worth it. Oh. If you keep losing them after taking them out when you wake up have a chat with your cat. I found a TON of them once while moving some furniture around. Ok. Guess this is the location of my cats secret stash of someone said I could have this..................
Hi, thanks for sharing your thoughts on earplugs (and sneaky cats!). It's good to hear from someone who also likes the same earplugs as me. I really do rate those ones highly, and use them a lot.
My favorites are Macks Silicone but at some point recently they doubled in price so now im looking at other alternatives. You seem like a nice person because you understand the struggle it is to deal with noise haha. Thanks for the review
Have been using standard foam ear plugs for a while now but thought there must be something better out there, was looking at the silicone ones until I saw your review. I’ll keep looking. Thanks
Don't be completely put off just from my experience though, if you've never tried silicone. Some people like the way they feel, but I just prefer the better noise reduction of foam.
@@nosleeplessnights1 oh right. Just seems like a waste buying them to then realise they are no good. I know they aren’t cheap but things are tight nowadays
@bothered1984 I've used foam and they always make me ache plus they fall out. Silicone is very comfortable because they are so malleable and they dont fall out as much. The thing is these don't last long.If you're looking to save though, why not get a reusable plugs like happy ears. The internet couldn't rave enough about them.
You left out the 3M classic, the most popular earplug in the world, the original and still the best. Lasts forever, plenty of working time after compressing, don't itch (me, anyway), washable, cheap, available everywhere, etc.
Hi. You are brilliant and kind for putting this together. I have been using Mack’s nightly for 2+ years and love them. OLI also replace them nightly. However, I’m concerned that most mornings I feel like I need to itch the inside of my ears and use qtips to itch them. I’ve also been using a lot of qtips just to release the itch. I don’t have hearing issues at all but worry that this may not be good. Have you tested your eardrums or researched if they can get damaged with nightly use? I know the qtips are bad but I don’t go too deep. Thanks for your feedback
Thanks for the positive feedback! So, you raise an important point there. I believe that there are inherent risks with using earplugs nightly for long periods of time. Having said that, I have only had one ear infection in 20 years of using earplugs (that I know of), and one experience of having compacted wax that was cleared with a syringe, and was when I was doing a lot of sea swimming. Other than that, I had my ears checked two years ago and they were fine. For me, I have had more problems with other parts of my body than that, just through normal life use! So I weigh up the pros and cons and feel that blocking out noise and getting a good night's sleep is more important than never risking ear problems. Having said that, if I had regular or more serious problems with my ears, I would definitely speak to a doctor or audiologist about it and take their advice. In your case, even though it's not my place to give medical advice, I would recommend stopping using them until you've had your ears checked out.
To me the 3M 1100 have best noise reduction, the only problem I had with them was they irritated my ear canal because they are sticky and cause me pain. I found the solution for every kind of sticky big earplug. Just apply on them a drop of hand cream and they become super comfortable!
They do have amazing noise reduction. I've always thought their official NRR number seems low, and the few people I've given them to thought the same. It is what it is though! I agree they can end up feeling quite firmly lodged in the ear. I'm not sure about the hygiene/safety of plugging hand cream into your ear canal every night, and the ensuing addition to the buildup of materials in there, but it does help keep them feeling comfortable.
Might be a bit of strange question, but.., How do you know if you have a small ear canals or large ones. It’s independent of the size of the ears of the person?
It's not a strange question at all Moriarty, and it's good to hear from you again - thanks for watching another video! I was going to include a section about this point, but the video ended up being so long I decided to cut it out as it's surprisingly complex to accurately measure ear canal size and I didn't think I can do it justice inside a long comparison of earplugs. On a more practical level, I also know from talking with many people over the years about earplugs, that most who already use them have a rough idea whether smaller or larger ones work for them. So I went for the simpler explanation of trial and error and reminding viewers that different sizes do exist, and that the size selection plays a role in effectiveness and comfort. There are a couple of useful rules of thumb, for you and anyone else reading this how might be interested. Women tend to have slightly smaller ear canals than men, so might want to avoid the larger sizes initially at least. Gender differences aside, you could then either ask an audiologist or doctor for their opinion. If you're in the UK, for example, Specsavers now do hearing tests for free. You could ask them at the same time for their opinion. The temptation would be to think that you could guess based solely on your overall body and/or ear size. This might be a good starting point if you have no other way of measuring accurately, but it won't always be right. I am 193cm tall and smaller earplugs are more comfortable for me when sleeping, even though larger ones block out sound better. And that's a key point I think. If you're going to use them for many hours at night, potentially for many nights in a row, then comfort is very important. So, if in doubt, I'd start with smaller sizes and work your way up to larger ones if they don't work for you. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to feature the Mack's Ultra Soft high up the list even though there are others that block more sound for me. For more information about ear fitting, there's a useful article on an Occupational Health website called ohsonline: ohsonline.com/Articles/2017/03/01/Ear-Plug-Selection-and-Fitting-Best-Practices.aspx
You can also make an impression on your ear. That thing is done when one wants to order custom ear plugs or hearing aids. The professional audiologist can estimate then by your ear impression wether the ear canal big or small.
Thank you for the information! I have very noisy neighbours. I live in a flat in the middle, so I have people above, below and the sides. Noise comes from everywhere includiing outside!!! Its either people upstairs that bother me or people drilling and hammering the walls almost everyweek (I'm surpised the building is still standing). I currently have the Howard Leight Laser Lite which cut out noise amazingly but I think they are too big! (I bought them a while ago in a huge bulk). I will definitely try some smaller ones you suggested here :) thank you again. Also subbed as I sometimes have trouble sleeping in general.
You're welcome Emma. Going down a little in size will help on the comfort front, but perhaps at the expense of slightly less noise reduction. It's hard to predict though, and as long as you get decent ones that fit you well still, there will hopefully still be good noise blocking.
@@nosleeplessnights1 yeah I will definitely shop around and try different ones! The ones I have block out noise perfectly but they do stick out my ears 😂 so I think they are too long.
ignoring the actual shape of them, since they expand to fit your ear canal, and considering all ear canals are slightly different, I've been experimenting with cutting the sides off some standard mpow earplugs I got from amazon. My goal is to find the right thickness that does not end up in discomfort from the outward pressure of the foam on the ear canal, after an hour or so... once I know what thickness is perfect for my ears I can just make my own if I can't find the right size in a brand. Also, cutting the ends off so they are not so long can help if you don't need it to go so deep into the ear canal.
Hi B. You're not the first person to tell me they do that, and I can understand the logic. I do wonder if they are made in a way that when you cut them, there is more chance for tiny bits to come off inside your ear canal, potentially contributing to the build up of 'stuff' (for want of a better word) inside your ear canal. As always, it's case of balancing the pros and cons of achieving the best noise blocking and the method you use to do so.
There aren't any which are uniquely better for footsteps. It will just come down to the right match for your ears and their base noise blocking potential. Loud footfall is notoriously hard to block out, so I would try those with a high noise reduction rating - i.e. foam. If you don't like foam, then you'll have to experiment with the other materials and cross your fingers!
You're welcome! So, even though they are disposible, I personally choose to use them for more than one night and keep them in a carry case. If they fall on the floor or look dirty, I change them though.
My issue is vibration. Neighbor wakes up at 4 am daily and bumps around. Also the stairs vibrate. I have 2 loud air purifiers and nothing blocks out the vibration
Impact noise is notoriously hard to block out in the bedroom unfortunately. Try searching online for 'ways to reduce impact noise in the home' and see if anything appears that you could reasonably try.
I’ve actually found a solution. It’s called deep brown noise check it out on RUclips. The trick is finding the right speaker or headphones or something. Blocks out things on the ceiling and wall and everything. Amazing
Thanks for this video 👌 I try 3 earplugs and I am discouraged 😥 my husband snore like a tractir it is so loud 😥 I want complete silence 🙏 I am not rich but don't mind paying more to sleep with him again, I miss him at night 😥 Next, I want to try again a foam one and buy a silicone one to put on top of it to cover the ear completely, but afraid it won't work... I heard about molded one too. I am lost 🌌🌌🌌 Thanks so much ! I have little ears I think because the orange one seems too big that it hurt but seems to help more with noise but none of the 3 were good to not hear him 😥
You're welcome Karine! Sorry to hear you're having such difficulty sleeping. No earplugs will block out 100% of the noise of a very loud snorer. So it's probably a case of learning to cope with a little noise. But, if you need total silence, then perhaps the best bet is to work with him to tackle the snoring. Has he been to a doctor to get tested for apnea? Do you know the apnea symptoms to look out for? It might be worth researching that a bit to see if it could be a possibility. Otherwise, there are many self-help techniques snorers can try.
@@nosleeplessnights1 Yes he went to a Apnea clinic and he does not have Apnea 😉 Sad to hear that there is no solution to eliminate all sounds 😥 Have a good day and thanks for answered me 👍
Thanks for the video! Do you know if there is any difference between Mack's snore blockers and the Mack's ultra soft ones you recommend? Also have you tried the Loop Quiet earplugs before?
You're welcome! I haven't tried the snore blockers yet. From looking at them online, they have 32 dB NRR rather than 33, so they should also be good. They apparently have a hollow end to make them more comfortable for sleep presumably. But I can't see any reason why they would be better than any others at blocking snoring. Probably just a bit of marketing in my opinion. I haven't tried the Loop. I don't like that style of silicone earplug myself, and the noise reduction rating is too low.
I have small ear canals. Certain bluetooth earbuds create pressure in my ear canal. Im terrified of something going into my ear canal. I m looking for something that isnt foam. Foam makes my skin crawl. I need something for the 4th Of July. I know it wont cut the noise out but i need something to at least dampen the fireworks. Very helpful info
Hello, lovely review ! Ive been trying to use foam earplugs BUT i do have child ear canals so i just cannot for the life of me put them in .. should i go with wax/silicone or even the last one ? I am desperate to use something because my dear cat decides in the middle of the night that its time "to run" lol
Ive done some research , it seams that Macks slim fit would be the best choice for me to try :) I have to order online , in the meantime i will try Wax
There are earplugs that are thinner than average, so could be worth a try. But sure, if they don't work for you at all, then wax and silicone might both be worth trying to see which works best for you.
These I can insert in my ear canal but being a side sleeper it puts pressure. Tonight I'm going try to cut the bit that is extra on length (besides being thin I have short canals ) . Interestingly it was the only Macks product that was out of stock in pharmacy, I think Portuguese being smaller (average of course) than Americans could be a reason. If only they did a child's size it would be it for me :)
I'm glad you liked it! Yes, I think so. I use them when lying on my side and find them more comfortable than the larger earplugs. Obviously, it's hard to be sure as I don't know what your ear canals are like, or your sensitivity to the foam inside them when you lie with your ear on a pillow. So all I can say is that they work for me, and are less 'lumpy' than many of the more industrial earplugs.
@@nosleeplessnights1 Thanks for the response! Currently in my country I am not able to get the "Mack Ultra Soft", but I found the brand "Alpine" which they sell the "DeepSleep" model. Do you know about them and if they are any good? Thanks
Because people with normal hearing can hear through bone conduction sound will still be heard with all of these. Over the ear options can help with sound transmission through the mastoid bones. Combining is the best bet… yet here I am a professional still looking for options because of a snoring spouse haha
Thanks for adding that explanation. Some people use earplugs and then listen to white noise or music on over ear headphones, which works well. It's just not very comfortable for sleep - especially if you're a side sleeper. Good luck and I hope you find some earplugs that help with the snoring. My advice is usually to work on getting the spouse to tackle their snoring though. There are plenty of solutions, and sometimes some trial and error can turn up one that works really well.
Muffle wax earplugs are the very best from Boots Break one in half and knead it into shape and push in ear 👂 I’ve been putting earplugs in my ears since 1983 I don’t get on with foam earplugs at all as they fall out. I use a white noise machine next to my bed and earplugs as can hear. the machine through them but blocks out irritating noises in flats
I can't say those are my favourites, but I get that many people like wax earplugs. As you say, wax also makes it easier to get the exact quantity you want as it's easy to break the wax apart. I do agree that the double team of earplugs and a white noise machine works well!
I wish there were earplugs that has higher noise reduction then the ones on the market now. The highest I have seen is 36 decibel. I need like 45-50 decibel:/
I wish there were too! Maybe one day they will come up with some material that massively improves on the noise reduction. I think part of the problem is that we also receive sound through bone, not just the ear canal.
Thank you for the helpful overview. As an aside are you aware of any earplugs that sit ON your ear. So they dont actually go in to your ear canal.. Something more like a headband that goes around your head and covers your ears?
You're welcome James. I guess the nearest thing would be ear defenders. But they aren't very practical for sleep. I don't know of a headband that provides decent enough sound blocking that they could be on a par with earplugs. There's a gap in the market for that probably!
Damn, I typically use the soft plastic style shown in this video and have never had issues getting them out in the morning, I just pull them out like I would some bluetooth earbuds, and they do the job of dulling sounds while sleeping. But your ears look A LOT different to mine, the beginning of my ear canal is fairly symmetrical to my ear opening and not completely cavernous like yours, having to dig them out like you showed would certainly freak me out. You have inspired me to check out some foam ones though, I've always been a bit weary of them as I tried one pair years ago and felt a lot of pressure buildup in my head with them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think you highlight a good point, which is that the ear canal shape and depth can have an impact on how comfortable and appropriate some earplugs will be. Good luck with the foam earplugs - I hope you find some that are comfortable.
I can't answer that question. It depends on how loud your alarm is, which earplugs they are, how well you fit them, how you're sleeping etc etc. It would be wrong of me to say 'yes' and then you miss an important event. My advice would be to consider a wrist-based vibrating alarm if you're worried. That's what I use and it works really well. The one I use is the Fitbit Versa 3. It's quite expensive though, so you can find cheaper ones. That way you don't need to worry so much about hearing an alarm because the vibrating usually does a good job of waking you up (in my experience).
I’ve used 3M classic for years, just wondering how many uses people get out of a pair before they change to a new pair. Mine definitely are most effective when new out of box,
I think it will probably depend on the person and how they use them. I try to get more than one night's use out of the foam earplugs as a rule, just to reduce waste really. But if I drop them on the floor, or they appear dirty sooner, I replace them accordingly.
I use foam ones, individually packed. I place and remove them with clean hands and store them in their wrapping pack. I get about 5 uses out of them before they become itchy.
Tricky question because I personally think all the foam earplugs are reasonably good value for money. Basic foam earplugs are not an expensive product, so the difference is in pennies/cents. Silicone, plastic, and wax tend to be more expensive. And then fancy earplugs that are custom molded etc can be pricier.
Real and sincere question: at 21:40 are you really supposed to put your earplugs (except wax/silicon ones) that far? I would be paranoid to damage my eardrum every second. Is that safe and the way you're supposed to use them? I never push ma foam plugs inside because I'm afraid I'll hurt myself or create some sort of cerumen blockage. Luckily I still manage to block noises. Have I been using them wrong?
In that segment, I'm just demonstrating the issue with those small plastic earplugs. They are so small for me, that they end up going in too deep and being difficult to remove. So you cant compare the way I demonstrate those with the way foam earplugs are inserted really. I think as long as you get some sound blocking with the foam ones, it doesn't matter if you don't insert them so deeply. It's all a case of balancing the comfort and sound blocking for your own needs.
Great job, I have a question about earplugs but what about when you talk and hear your own voice too loud? Called the occlusion effect. Is this amplifying your own voice? Can this harm your hearing too? Thank you very much
@@nosleeplessnights1 thanks for the response! But if you use it uma party, tha you need to talk a lot, you can hear your own voice super loud! I think there is resonation in the ear Chanel! Amplifying the sound….
You're welcome! I know, it's a shame as they were good. For smaller ear canals, I still recommend the Mack's Ultra Soft. Other options are Mack's Dreamgirl and Mack's Slim fit. It seems like Mack's put more effort into making smaller foam earplugs than other brands. However, Hearos have a new one called Nanos too, which I haven't tried myself, but could be worth a go.
What is recommend for distrubing very low frequency noises? It's very low but it disturbs me a lot to fall asleep. I noticed that a lot of earplugs don't work for low, deep frequency noises even if those noises are very low/barely audible...
Yes, it's a tricky one, especially if some of the noise is travelling through objects rather than just the air. Have you tried noise cancelling headphones or pink/brown noise? It would be interesting to see if that cuts it out. Otherwise, I don't think I can recommend one set of earplugs that somehow manages to cut out low frequency noise better than all the others...
@@nosleeplessnights1 yes, both work anc headphones and white noise machine. However, I can't fall asleep with a white noise machine. I just need silence :-) The anc headphones I have are over ear, so not meant for sleeping. I am a bit reluctantly to buy "on earbuds" (what's the brand name?) Since they are expensive and have a lot of bad reviews. I hope to get a cheaper equally good solution. But so far earplugs (wax, soft stuff) does not work. Even worse: the earplugs reduce other noise and my the deep frequency more prominent. That's a bit crazy provided that the deep frequency noise is very low, almost inaudible... I can hear it better with earplugs on 🤣
I prefer foam to wax and silicone too. They just block more noise for me. The problem may be that some noise will reach your brain via solid objects rather than through the air. So there is a limit to how much of it you can block with earplugs sometimes.
I use since many years model 1100. it is very useful and fit well. But when i received a new box recently, i seen the sticker showing 'contains chemicals that may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm known to the State of California' Is someone aware of it? i thinking or returning it. is it really reprensent a health risk? i'm really skeptical about it.
I don't know about this personally. I do know that many products legally have to include that warning, but I'm unaware of what it is exactly in the earplugs that led to it being needed.
I had to have an MRI scan recently and they gave me a set of blue foam plugs. They just shoved them in my ears and they did nothing to reduce sound. I later learned that they should be rolled first before inserting. I bought some spark plug ones on amazon which are about 4mm smaller in length than the blue ones they gave me at the hospital so I assumed these will be perfect for me as I have small ears. Now I'm worried even these will be too long and cause damage as I'm a side sleeper and these are some of the longer ones in your video :(
Hello, i'm looking for an ear bud for sleep, i used the orange howard leight max 37db buds but they wake me up as the pain i get from the expanding pressure is high, BUT, i love it to be absolutely quite (or close to that), have you got a comfier plug you'd recommend? Many thanks
Maybe a foam ear plug as they offer the best DB reduction, with less radial pressure? Would be a good trade off? if so, what would you say I try next? Many thanks.
So they Howard Leight Max are quite wide comparatively. I would recommend trying any of the medium / small foam earplugs I discuss in the video. As I said in the vid, I like the Mack's ultra soft. But you might find those a little too small. Still, if you don't mind spending a bit of money to experiment, I'd recommend giving them a go as they tend to expand a bit less than the bigger Howard Leight. Another good option could be the Ear Buddy, though they aren't that much smaller than the Howard Leight as far as I can tell.
@@nosleeplessnights1 you are a very good man.. thank you so much for your reply. I will let you know what happens. I think your right, the ones I'm using are very big. Many thanks you have a great video and channel. Thank you for your time putting it all together ❤
Thanks Angel Ethan, I find that my foam earplugs come out at night ! Is that normal? I use to put silicone putty over the foam but it's so much hassle fiddling about with it when all you want to do last thing at night is just go straight to bed ! I'm seriously considering the boots custom made earplugs which costs £75 ! May do more research before splashing the cash ! Is there another way to keep the foam in without putting the silicone over your ear? Do you know anything about reusable and washable earplugs? On a environmental stand its quite wasteful to keep having to use new earplugs every night Thank you so much for the review , oh by the way i found your voice very soothing , have you thought about doing a sleep meditation CD or something lol 😂 ❤
Hi! Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for your kind words too. Actually, several people have asked me the same thing, and I have been contemplating doing some form of sleep podcast. I just don't have a professional recording studio, so have been procrastinating until I decide what to do about that! So, if you have the right size and/or shape for your ears, and insert them correctly, foam earplugs should not fall out. Before spending over 100 quid on custom earplugs from Boots, I would do two things. It might sound silly, but watching a video of someone inserting them can be very helpful. I thought I did it correctly until I watch a video from 3M years ago. Secondly, try a different size earplug. If you've been using large, try a small, and vice versa. You might find you've just had too large ones popping out, or too small ones simply falling out because even when fully expanded they don't sit nicely. Which earplugs have you used before? Maybe I know them and can suggest a different size. As for the environmental point, you are right about that. This is the main reason I typically use foam earplugs for longer than I'm supposed to. I just feel bad throwing them out night after night. You have to balance your own environmental concerns with the risks of putting used earplugs back in your ears. It's a tricky one... I have tried reusable plastic/silicone ones, but never really like them much. I find them uncomfortable and they never block out nearly as much noise as foam for me. Let me know if you find something that works!
I live an apartment near a main road. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I'll be woken up by loud ambulance sirens. Needing to find something to help with this.
I can understand that problem from my time living in NYC. I don't think there is anything that is specifically made to combat that exact sound. Really well fitting earplugs with a high noise reduction rating should help, but some noise might still come through if it's really loud/close to you. Listening to sounds, such as nature sounds or white noise, through headphones can also help. But that might not be the best solution for every night.
It's hard to say because the size and fit also plan a key role. But as a rule of thumb, those with a higher NRR are the ones to start with perhaps. In which case, those with NRR33, or close to it, are the ones I'd say are most likely to block most noise. So the Howard Leight, Mack's ultra soft, Heroes, Moldex, and 3M1100 are ones to look at.
Could you please recommend me a good sleeping noise cancelling mask that I can use simultaneously with my loop quiet earplugs? I know hibermate is good but it doesn’t ship in Italy
I haven't tried any masks that are also meant to block noise. From what I have seen online, I haven't been impressed enough yet to buy and test them! I may do in the future though, as a couple of people have asked them same question...
Did you buy them in Europe, or are they European made? They sometimes have a higher rating with their system. I don't think it's too much personally. You might be able to hear your breathing and heartbeat, it's hard to predict. I don't mind that myself as it quietens once I relax, but I know some people don't like it.
I think Mack's silicon ear plugs give more noice reduction ,are you trusting the packet ranking or have you tried them ,put a video song on you tube and turn it down until you can no longer hear it ,try it with the silicon and foam ,I found the silicon better
That's a hard question to answer really, and it depends on the particular earplugs. Because I use them so often, I try to be careful with not letting them get dirty. So I replace my foam earplugs every few days, or more regularly if they look like they got dirty quickly.
Which one doesn't push ear wax deep inside the ears? Recommend me the best for ears. I used foam earbuds and cotton balls, and it pushed all the wax deep inside the ears, and now I'm trying to remove them all. It's so painful process.
Have you tried wax or silicon earplugs before? The idea with those is that you shape them over the entrance to your ear canal rather than rolling them like foam and stuffing them inside.
I've spent decades wearing earplugs at night and really like the foam ones. I started to get really itchy ears though each time I had them in and it would keep waking me up. I think I may have developed an allergy to them so for the last few months I've been using silicone earplugs. My ears get really wet inside with them though and at the moment I have an ear infection in both ears which I don't know if the silicone earplugs have caused. I much prefer the foam so may try another brand in case it's just the ones that I bought last time that irritates my ears. I'm also on the autistic spectrum and noise can really overwhelm me at times so I occasionally wear earplugs during the day just to help me relax a bit so I can calm down.
Sorry to hear you've been having this problem. Have you asked your doctor for their advice or did you self-diagnose with the ear infection? I'd recommend getting them checked out if you haven't done already. And if you do continue to use earplugs, make sure you change them regularly.
@@nosleeplessnights1Yes the doctor diagnosed the infections and gave antibiotic eardrops which I'm currently using. I'm going to try some different foam earplugs because if I can get on with them I think they would be better for my situation especially now I've had trouble with my ears.
Does the shape of an ear plug make any difference in its function? I've been trying cone ear plugs lately and it seems like they fall out at least once during the night. Would bell shaped ones have less of a problem with falling out?
I'm not personally afraid, no. That's because I've been using them for many, many years and my ears are still fine (to my knowledge). However, I can understand why it's a concern for people. My advice would be to be careful how deeply you insert them, remove them if you feel any discomfort or pain, and use wax or silicone instead of foam if you don't think you can use them safely, or want to err on the side of caution.
I was always under the impression that wax or mouldable silicon were far better at noise reduction than foam. I know I tried foam earplugs years ago with no real success. Nowadays I go to sleep listening to music on in ear earphones. I would like to just move to earplugs so may look at trying a few of these
Not in my experience they aren't. Even if you look at the average noise reduction rating the manufacturers say their earplugs have, good foam earplugs are typically around 28-33 decibels, where wax and silicone tend to be under 25. I think where they do work better is for people who find foam uncomfortable, in which case it doesn't matter how good the noise reduction rating is, you just won't wear them. I think the trick is to find a comfortable size and shape that matches your ear canals well, which can take a bit of trial and error.
That might be the case. I've very rarely been impressed with the free earplugs handed out on any trips I've done. Same for some earplugs I've bought in stores. If I can't see a listed NRR number on a pack, ideally around 30+, I assume they aren't going to be great. There will be exceptions, of course, but not often in my experience.
Tough question...most are disposible, so you should either use a new pair every day, or throw them away if they start to look dirty if you want to try to prolong their lifespan. Personally, with foam earplugs I go through a couple of pairs a week on average and keep them in a little carry case during the day.
I have small ear canals but got some foam earplugs meant for large ear canals (I didn't check properly). Can I cut these foam earplugs so that they fit me?
Tricky question. I think the official answer would be it's best not to, otherwise small bits are likely to come off inside your ear canal, leading to more 'stuff' getting wedged in there. Unofficial answer - some people do because they don't want to waste the money they already spent.
You did say the max dB noise reduction is 33 for foam and silicon. Are you sure there aren't other options tht can reduce noise further? By 50 or 60dB? I mean the only other option I know would be digital ear ear protection buds for the gun range...but they let in ambient sounds below 80dB and are expensive at $250 USD...
I wish there were. That noise is the average for multiple people, so some people may get more than 33db if they fit really well. But I am certain none exist that have an average of 50-60 NRR when given to multiple people to test.
Hey buddy, my wife snores like my Ford F350 Diesel Truck. I can’t sleeep, I need to find the hard foam plugs. Do you know of any available? The really soft don’t work. I really need your help
Have you tried the 3M 1100? They are probably the most dense foam earplugs I've tried. I still wouldn't describe them as hard though - foam earplugs are never really hard. As for the snoring, has she spoken to her doctor about this?
I've been using the Howard leight spark plugs for years. I've found that they fit best when I wet them first. I've had people tell me that I'll get an infection doing that, but I've worn foam ear plugs, and wet them first for over 20 years and not once had an ear infection.
Hi, thanks for sharing your tip. That would be my first reaction too, and I don't think I would ever do that personally. It's interesting that it works for you. Doesn't it feel weird though?
Fair enough - if it works for you and you're sure it's not causing any problems. I wouldn't do this though, as even if you haven't had any infections that you know of yet, it doesn't mean there isn't the potential for something to happen later.
Hi! That's a really good question. Unfortunately, I won't be able to give you a straight answer though. Firstly, it's impossible to tell in advance because it depends on various factors, such as the performance of the earplug, the suitability and fit in your ear, the smoke alarm sound, proximity, your hearing, how asleep you are, etc. Secondly, I don't want to be responsible for your decision making when it comes to important safety points like this. At the end of the day, using earplugs will always reduce some noise. It's up to the individual to weigh up the pros and cons of the amount and type of noise they block.
Thanks for getting back to me and for the informative answer. I have recently moved house and I am easily disturbed by passing traffic. This might be the answer. I always assumed that sleeping with earplugs would be unbearable but you have spiked my interest in this as a fix. Thanks once again.
You're welcome. I think the unbearable thing is often with foam earplugs. Some people just hate the way they feel. It can be particularly bad if you choose earplugs that are too large for your ears, or if you have sensitive ears. But with some experimenting with different sizes or perhaps trying other materials, you might find a comfortable way to mask the traffic noise. The smoke alarm issue is a different matter though, as it's obviously not dependent on comfort, but the balance between blocking the traffic and still hearing an alarm.
I bought the last, tree type earplugs from a different brand, and they say on the box that they have an SNR of 33. The ones im using have 4 ribs. so, those actually protect quite well, and are easy to remove because they are attached to a small rope.
The ones with cords are definitely easier to remove! I'd use those during the day, but prefer not to have the cord in bed. Do you feel that they offer a similar noise reduction as good foam earplugs?
I have a question, since my roomate is an asshole and watches videos without a headset, isnt cotton earplugs the best for sound blockage? I have read it that cotton also quite well fits in a ear and is good for blocking sounds.
At amazon 12 pieces are for 20 $ and at other chinese sites 60 pieces are for 6$. The one on amazon are also Made in China. I wonder if its ok to buy from Chinese sites I can wait a month or more
I don't know the Chinese sites well, so I'm not sure if I can give you a completely accurate answer. However, I think the logic about them being made in China seems reasonable. Whether you'd end up buying exactly the same ones is another question though. But if they work for you, then sure, why not save some money in the long run?
That's a really tough one because loud dog barking will probably leak through any of them if it's close enough and loud enough. I don't think it would be right for me to say any particular one is the best for dog barking. It all boils down to which ones fit you best, and are comfortable enough that you'll actually want to keep using them. Having said that, all other things being equal, those with a high starting noise reduction rating would be where I would start experimenting with first if the barking is loud.
That's a tough one. Maybe find a way to create a better sound barrier by your window if possible, whether that's sealing gaps or using acoustic curtains. Earplugs can help too, but if it's really loud, probably not block it 100%. Listening to your own audio on good headphones is another option.
I thought so. It's good to hear from another fan of those earplugs. I still think they have the best balance of comfort and sound blocking for my ears!
I don't think there are specific earplugs designed to be good for those specific noises. It's more a case of finding the best ones for your ear canals, fitting them correctly, and ideally having a high noise reduction rating to start with.
Hey since you are an expert in this . Is there any product not like the ear plugs that goes inside your ear cuz it causes pain for me , like the winter headphones thing without the thing that connects both sides. Thanks a lot!!!
So if you mean the type of headphones like the AcousticSheep Sleepphones, Lavine or Cozyphones, unfortunately I don't know of any of that style that don't have a cable connecting the two speakers and a control unit in the headband too. It's a good idea, and I imagine if you can have independent earbuds that work via Bluetooth, you should also be able to have a headband style without a connecting part. I just don't know of any company making them at this point unfortunately.
@@nosleeplessnights1 like I want something that cover the eat from outside but without the thing that connects from both side and I don’t wanna listen to music while sleeping just like block cuz Bluetooth isn’t good for you a lot it’s like bad waves for your brain
I'm really not sure if what you want exists. If it's headphones that don't go in your ear, they usually need a connecting piece to keep them in place, like large overear headphones. If it's not headphones, then a thick headband with no technology might help muffle a little sound. Otherwise, maybe try silicone or wax earplugs instead as they don't go inside your ears like foam earplugs - assuming you fit them well.
Estoy de acuerdo Javier! Sin embargo, a mi me gustan los 3M - solamente no para todos los dias. Imagino que no son buenos para todos por el tamano, como dices vos.
It depends on how loud your alarm is, how good your hearing is, which earplugs you use, how well you fit them, and how deeply you are sleeping! So it's not a question I can easily answer.
It could be that you are using earplugs that are too large for your ear canals, or inserting them too far. But some people do just find them uncomfortable, even if they technically fit correctly. If they hurt, don't use them.
It looks like they are either out of stock at the moment. I've seen more recently they're making 'howard leight laser leight for women' that are also smaller than their standard industrial sizes. If you need smaller earplugs you could try those. Mack's Dreamgirl are also smaller ones to try, as are the ones I first suggested in the video.
Hi! The problem is that there aren't any earplugs which are 100% guaranteed to totally block 100% of all sound. No matter how good they are, there will always be a level of noise that will get through and/or that you will hear through physical conduction anyway. So in my experience, the most practical question is more along the lines of 'which are the most comfortable and effective ones for my particular ears'? No matter what anyone tells you about the latest and greatest earplugs, headphones, or other tech, if someone plays music extremely loudly through massive speakers or shouts loudly right next to you, you're likely to hear some of it. At the other end of the extreme argument, if the noise that's bothering you is something very quiet like a soft fan, quiet traffic very far away, or someone breathing in bed next to you, then the answer is more likely to be 'all of the earplugs totally block it'. Having said all that, what is the exact sound you need to block out?
Ah, ok. Sorry, I know that's a really difficult sound to cope with and to block out. My opinion is that any foam earplug with a noise reduction rating of 33 or just under that fits your ear canal well is the best chance. If you can sleep with music and headphones, that will work too, but maybe not the best idea for every night. Have you tried speaking to them about the snoring to see if they'd be willing to try anything for it?
What a lovely quiet video. Isn't it awful we have to resort to this because of other people! Audible cutoff would be such a great concept wouldn't it? Thanks for the advice 😊
Glad you liked the video Marion! Maybe one day we'll have voice controlled windows, walls and ceilings that respond to the command "Total external sound block please". Until then, we have bits of foam to stuff in our ears.
I totally agree! I can't stand it!!! 😡
I life 25 feet away from a train. In a house so that's not a problem for me. But it sure it aggravating. I'm leaving this house in 3 months.
It's been 2 months of 4 hour nights for me. I'm depressed and defeated by the next door neighbors (loud music at 1 AM), upstairs neighbors (doing laundry and tumbling sounds at 2 AM), and my other neighbor (dog barks and whines throughout the day when I try to catch up on missed sleep).
Wish me luck.
Good luck! That sounds like an awful lot of noise to contend with. I hope you choose some earplugs that at the very least make some of that noise a bit more tolerable, even if it sounds to me like you'd be very lucky to block it all out. I hope I'm wrong for your sake though!
@@nosleeplessnights1 Found the cure. Got my first 2 nights of 8-hour sleep.
1) Hearos orange soft earplugs, inserted with the Proper technique
2) Lasko box fan acting as a white noise generator
You might also want to look into reviewing the Radians custom molded earplugs that are $9 on Amazon, they are great from what I've read online. Have one on the way, will let you know how it is. Some people make custom molded earphones with them too
@@AJ-iu6nw How was it?
did they work for you?
Nice video, no annoying noise or too loud music taking away from the presenter. Good basic, solid practical advice showing the range of products available. I am a taller man with a good sized head for my body.
Thanks for the kind words and helpful feedback Kevin! Funnily enough, I've been experimenting with low volume backing music in recent videos. Your comment is making me wonder how many other people prefer not to have background music!
If anyone else reads this comment, and has an opinion, please let me know. I've also just created a community poll to ask people (my first one - yey!)
Thanks for the inspiration Kevin!
Team no-music! Music is so distracting and really unnecessary.
I had used corded industrial foam ear plugs for many years to block out snoring, however 3 years ago i discovered corded ribbed plastic ones one Amazon that are far superior at noise blockage and because of the ribs, are quite effective without pushing them in as far as possible. I found that inserting them the pulling them out slightly engages the ribs to expand to block the sound very effectively. But I also found the cord conducts noise of anything it rubs against so its very necessary to cut the cord leaving about 3/4" on each plug and tucking it into an outer ear channel. This way there is still something to grab for removal.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It's always good to hear from people who have had a different experience to me. I know some people do like the plastic ones, but they just aren't for me. If they work for you though, that's all that matters:-)
do they block the boom boom bass music?
Never used ear plugs in my life as I’m a heavy sleeper. But Just moved into a new flat, with multiple levels of noise, the worst at 3 am, so this video is very useful. My Ear canals are probably small, I find 36db Moldex effective, but uncomfortable and “itchy” to wear. I’ll try some of the others gradually
I hope you have some luck with the earplugs you decide to try!
@Yin over Yang Howard Leight Laser Lite soft foam earplugs are really good there's a great little video on here that shows how to insert them properly..they dont block out my foghorn snoring partner 😤 but outside noises i cannot hear at all👂I hope you get some peace 🙏Sweet dreams 😴
I've worn earplugs for years almost daily between work and home use. I've used dozens of brands. The best advice I have is to try to buy them in bulk. I love Howard Leight laser lite, max lite, champion, 3m tekk, 3m classic, north, there's so many great ones.
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who thinks that way! I'm sometimes hesitant to recommend buying multiple versions because I don't want to come across as pushing people to spend more money than necessary. But when I talk to people I meet, that's what I always tell them to do when they ask about earplugs. That and give them a few different pairs to try if they are visiting me. It's always appreciated:-)
@@nosleeplessnights1 I went to an overstock nonprofit store that sells stuff dirt cheap while I was visiting my sister. I got a case of 200 pairs of North brand earplugs there for $8.00. I won't need any for quite awhile.
absolutely lovely review! all the important information was said, and the editing flows seamlessly. this was very helpful, thank you
Thanks for your feedback and kind words Tilly! It always puts a smile on my face to read comments like this:-)
I swear you have a niche that am definitely interested in!!! I would really go all out to invest in my sleep
I think investing in your sleep is never a bad thing, especially if you have sleep problems. How much you invest is a personal matter, of course, but at least with products like earplugs it's not too expensive to find good ones. When it comes to more expensive things like the bed frame and mattress, it's more important to get it right and not end up wasting your money.
I'm watching this while wearing Howard Leight Laser Lite ear plugs on my ears. 😁
They're the best for me.
For me, Flent Contour were the best. I like to also wear a Musicozy over top of them for extra silence. EarPlugs are great for apartment living because Sleep deprivation will destroy your health.
Thanks for sharing your favourite. Those headband headphones are quite good for adding an extra layer of sound masking alongside earplugs.
thanks for making this video, living with housemates is difficult when you all have different schedules come in and go out at all different times of day.
You're welcome - I hope it helps you find something to deal with the busy household!
Super thanks to the makers of Mack's ear plugs! I have been using your product for many years now, and especially lifesaving during these season of obnoxiously Loud partying, shopping that is simply Devoid of the real meaning of the celebration
I'm sure they will be happy to hear that if any of their staff watch this video:-)
Good video. I did the same thing over about a year. I'm a needs to be pitch black and silet light sleeper. Good combo in military aviation. I also used them on the flightline and flights and as a daily motorycle rider since 2009 I use A LOT of them. I have a pair of Ducatis once of which is STUPID loud. (Clank clank clank. Trust me if you hear one you'll know what I am talking about)
After buying stock in Mack earplugs I ended up using the Mack’s Ultra Softs. Tan ones. They REALLY block most noises. Ontop of being a light sleeper I like a slightly cooler room and a fresh air feel which a fan on low does nicely. Guess what I hate? Yep. Fan noise when I sleep. SOOOO. In between the helicopters, other people, fan, AC, fridge and whatever that is crawling in the wall while my cats stare at it the Mack’s Ultra Soft ended up being the best for me.
I might have larger ears. Every once in a while one refuses to come out and requires endless pinching or a random something to get it started but it's very and few and far between uses that it happens.
I've used earplugs to sleep since 2008. Can't recommend the Mack’s Ultra Soft enough. Sometimes you get "duds" They just don't expand enough. Again it's not that often.
I've never had health issues with them being all together and not wrapped. Honestly I would HATE it if they were individually wrapped. I do have an impressive collection of random single pair holders. Military redundancy training and anything worth doing is worth going full stupid so it's not out of ordinary to find 3 or 4 cases on me.
I've tried their other supposedly higher noise blocking plugs. I've never been able to tell the difference so just stick to the size differences until you find one you like. The extra 2 bucks or so never seemed worth it.
Oh. If you keep losing them after taking them out when you wake up have a chat with your cat.
I found a TON of them once while moving some furniture around. Ok. Guess this is the location of my cats secret stash of someone said I could have this..................
Hi, thanks for sharing your thoughts on earplugs (and sneaky cats!). It's good to hear from someone who also likes the same earplugs as me. I really do rate those ones highly, and use them a lot.
My favorites are Macks Silicone but at some point recently they doubled in price so now im looking at other alternatives. You seem like a nice person because you understand the struggle it is to deal with noise haha. Thanks for the review
You're welcome - glad you liked the review! And thanks for your kind words:-)
Where are you looking at the prices?
@@nosleeplessnights1No problem. I'm looking on Amazon.
If you can hold off, the prices may drop again. Amazon is fickle like that! I'd also check other sites, like eBay.
@@nosleeplessnights1 Thank You I will considerate that🙏
You're welcome:-)
Have been using standard foam ear plugs for a while now but thought there must be something better out there, was looking at the silicone ones until I saw your review. I’ll keep looking. Thanks
Don't be completely put off just from my experience though, if you've never tried silicone. Some people like the way they feel, but I just prefer the better noise reduction of foam.
@@nosleeplessnights1 oh right. Just seems like a waste buying them to then realise they are no good. I know they aren’t cheap but things are tight nowadays
@bothered1984 I've used foam and they always make me ache plus they fall out. Silicone is very comfortable because they are so malleable and they dont fall out as much. The thing is these don't last long.If you're looking to save though, why not get a reusable plugs like happy ears. The internet couldn't rave enough about them.
You left out the 3M classic, the most popular earplug in the world, the original and still the best. Lasts forever, plenty of working time after compressing, don't itch (me, anyway), washable, cheap, available everywhere, etc.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that one. Out of interest, where did you get the information that they are the most popular in the world?
Hi. You are brilliant and kind for putting this together. I have been using Mack’s nightly for 2+ years and love them. OLI also replace them nightly. However, I’m concerned that most mornings I feel like I need to itch the inside of my ears and use qtips to itch them. I’ve also been using a lot of qtips just to release the itch. I don’t have hearing issues at all but worry that this may not be good. Have you tested your eardrums or researched if they can get damaged with nightly use? I know the qtips are bad but I don’t go too deep.
Thanks for your feedback
Thanks for the positive feedback! So, you raise an important point there. I believe that there are inherent risks with using earplugs nightly for long periods of time. Having said that, I have only had one ear infection in 20 years of using earplugs (that I know of), and one experience of having compacted wax that was cleared with a syringe, and was when I was doing a lot of sea swimming. Other than that, I had my ears checked two years ago and they were fine.
For me, I have had more problems with other parts of my body than that, just through normal life use! So I weigh up the pros and cons and feel that blocking out noise and getting a good night's sleep is more important than never risking ear problems.
Having said that, if I had regular or more serious problems with my ears, I would definitely speak to a doctor or audiologist about it and take their advice.
In your case, even though it's not my place to give medical advice, I would recommend stopping using them until you've had your ears checked out.
Just stumbled upon this video through searching for ear plugs.
Thank you for the useful information, Ethan.
You're welcome Jason! I hope you find some earplugs that work well for you.
To me the 3M 1100 have best noise reduction, the only problem I had with them was they irritated my ear canal because they are sticky and cause me pain. I found the solution for every kind of sticky big earplug. Just apply on them a drop of hand cream and they become super comfortable!
They do have amazing noise reduction. I've always thought their official NRR number seems low, and the few people I've given them to thought the same. It is what it is though!
I agree they can end up feeling quite firmly lodged in the ear. I'm not sure about the hygiene/safety of plugging hand cream into your ear canal every night, and the ensuing addition to the buildup of materials in there, but it does help keep them feeling comfortable.
Might be a bit of strange question, but.., How do you know if you have a small ear canals or large ones. It’s independent of the size of the ears of the person?
It's not a strange question at all Moriarty, and it's good to hear from you again - thanks for watching another video!
I was going to include a section about this point, but the video ended up being so long I decided to cut it out as it's surprisingly complex to accurately measure ear canal size and I didn't think I can do it justice inside a long comparison of earplugs.
On a more practical level, I also know from talking with many people over the years about earplugs, that most who already use them have a rough idea whether smaller or larger ones work for them. So I went for the simpler explanation of trial and error and reminding viewers that different sizes do exist, and that the size selection plays a role in effectiveness and comfort.
There are a couple of useful rules of thumb, for you and anyone else reading this how might be interested. Women tend to have slightly smaller ear canals than men, so might want to avoid the larger sizes initially at least. Gender differences aside, you could then either ask an audiologist or doctor for their opinion. If you're in the UK, for example, Specsavers now do hearing tests for free. You could ask them at the same time for their opinion.
The temptation would be to think that you could guess based solely on your overall body and/or ear size. This might be a good starting point if you have no other way of measuring accurately, but it won't always be right. I am 193cm tall and smaller earplugs are more comfortable for me when sleeping, even though larger ones block out sound better.
And that's a key point I think. If you're going to use them for many hours at night, potentially for many nights in a row, then comfort is very important.
So, if in doubt, I'd start with smaller sizes and work your way up to larger ones if they don't work for you. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to feature the Mack's Ultra Soft high up the list even though there are others that block more sound for me.
For more information about ear fitting, there's a useful article on an Occupational Health website called ohsonline: ohsonline.com/Articles/2017/03/01/Ear-Plug-Selection-and-Fitting-Best-Practices.aspx
You can also make an impression on your ear. That thing is done when one wants to order custom ear plugs or hearing aids. The professional audiologist can estimate then by your ear impression wether the ear canal big or small.
@@nosleeplessnights1 great info , thanks!
No problem
True - thanks for adding this point!
Thanks for the video. This has helped me tremendously.
You're welcome Jeroen - thank you too for the feedback.
Thank you for the information! I have very noisy neighbours. I live in a flat in the middle, so I have people above, below and the sides. Noise comes from everywhere includiing outside!!! Its either people upstairs that bother me or people drilling and hammering the walls almost everyweek (I'm surpised the building is still standing). I currently have the Howard Leight Laser Lite which cut out noise amazingly but I think they are too big! (I bought them a while ago in a huge bulk). I will definitely try some smaller ones you suggested here :) thank you again. Also subbed as I sometimes have trouble sleeping in general.
You're welcome Emma. Going down a little in size will help on the comfort front, but perhaps at the expense of slightly less noise reduction. It's hard to predict though, and as long as you get decent ones that fit you well still, there will hopefully still be good noise blocking.
@@nosleeplessnights1 yeah I will definitely shop around and try different ones! The ones I have block out noise perfectly but they do stick out my ears 😂 so I think they are too long.
Just purchased the Macks soft 50 tub. I hate noise at night, especially outside.
How are they working out for you so far?
@@nosleeplessnights1 Not needed to use them yet. Still cold weather. I dread the summer though.
Hey have you tried them, how are they?
Very nice voice you have sir, soothing 🙏 thanks for information
You're welcome, and thank you:-)
great vid, i use the orange 3m for my work. i also use the neon 3m which is 33db .
Thanks! Both of those are great choices!
Thanks for helping me make a choice.
You're welcome - which ones did you choose?
ignoring the actual shape of them, since they expand to fit your ear canal, and considering all ear canals are slightly different, I've been experimenting with cutting the sides off some standard mpow earplugs I got from amazon. My goal is to find the right thickness that does not end up in discomfort from the outward pressure of the foam on the ear canal, after an hour or so... once I know what thickness is perfect for my ears I can just make my own if I can't find the right size in a brand.
Also, cutting the ends off so they are not so long can help if you don't need it to go so deep into the ear canal.
Hi B. You're not the first person to tell me they do that, and I can understand the logic. I do wonder if they are made in a way that when you cut them, there is more chance for tiny bits to come off inside your ear canal, potentially contributing to the build up of 'stuff' (for want of a better word) inside your ear canal. As always, it's case of balancing the pros and cons of achieving the best noise blocking and the method you use to do so.
Thank you for the info. Just wondering which is best for upstairs neighbours footsteps?
There aren't any which are uniquely better for footsteps. It will just come down to the right match for your ears and their base noise blocking potential. Loud footfall is notoriously hard to block out, so I would try those with a high noise reduction rating - i.e. foam. If you don't like foam, then you'll have to experiment with the other materials and cross your fingers!
I tried foam earplugs. But they cause pain in ear. Please suggest earplugs that doesnot cause pain and mask around 30 decibles
Have you tried wax or silicon earplugs? They don't expand inside your ear canal like foam ones do. You could also try a smaller foam size.
Thank you for the video, do you use a fresh pair every night? I don't see why you couldn't use the same pair for awhile.
You're welcome! So, even though they are disposible, I personally choose to use them for more than one night and keep them in a carry case. If they fall on the floor or look dirty, I change them though.
My issue is vibration. Neighbor wakes up at 4 am daily and bumps around. Also the stairs vibrate. I have 2 loud air purifiers and nothing blocks out the vibration
Impact noise is notoriously hard to block out in the bedroom unfortunately. Try searching online for 'ways to reduce impact noise in the home' and see if anything appears that you could reasonably try.
I’ve actually found a solution. It’s called deep brown noise check it out on RUclips. The trick is finding the right speaker or headphones or something. Blocks out things on the ceiling and wall and everything. Amazing
Thanks for this video 👌
I try 3 earplugs and I am discouraged 😥 my husband snore like a tractir it is so loud 😥 I want complete silence 🙏 I am not rich but don't mind paying more to sleep with him again, I miss him at night 😥 Next, I want to try again a foam one and buy a silicone one to put on top of it to cover the ear completely, but afraid it won't work... I heard about molded one too. I am lost 🌌🌌🌌 Thanks so much ! I have little ears I think because the orange one seems too big that it hurt but seems to help more with noise but none of the 3 were good to not hear him 😥
You're welcome Karine! Sorry to hear you're having such difficulty sleeping. No earplugs will block out 100% of the noise of a very loud snorer. So it's probably a case of learning to cope with a little noise. But, if you need total silence, then perhaps the best bet is to work with him to tackle the snoring. Has he been to a doctor to get tested for apnea? Do you know the apnea symptoms to look out for? It might be worth researching that a bit to see if it could be a possibility. Otherwise, there are many self-help techniques snorers can try.
@@nosleeplessnights1 Yes he went to a Apnea clinic and he does not have Apnea 😉 Sad to hear that there is no solution to eliminate all sounds 😥 Have a good day and thanks for answered me 👍
Thanks for the video! Do you know if there is any difference between Mack's snore blockers and the Mack's ultra soft ones you recommend? Also have you tried the Loop Quiet earplugs before?
You're welcome! I haven't tried the snore blockers yet. From looking at them online, they have 32 dB NRR rather than 33, so they should also be good. They apparently have a hollow end to make them more comfortable for sleep presumably. But I can't see any reason why they would be better than any others at blocking snoring. Probably just a bit of marketing in my opinion.
I haven't tried the Loop. I don't like that style of silicone earplug myself, and the noise reduction rating is too low.
I have small ear canals. Certain bluetooth earbuds create pressure in my ear canal. Im terrified of something going into my ear canal. I m looking for something that isnt foam. Foam makes my skin crawl. I need something for the 4th Of July. I know it wont cut the noise out but i need something to at least dampen the fireworks. Very helpful info
Have you tried wax or silicone in the past?
@@nosleeplessnights1 im going to order the Loop ones next week.
Let me know what you think of them:-)
Hello, lovely review ! Ive been trying to use foam earplugs BUT i do have child ear canals so i just cannot for the life of me put them in .. should i go with wax/silicone or even the last one ? I am desperate to use something because my dear cat decides in the middle of the night that its time "to run" lol
Ive done some research , it seams that Macks slim fit would be the best choice for me to try :) I have to order online , in the meantime i will try Wax
There are earplugs that are thinner than average, so could be worth a try. But sure, if they don't work for you at all, then wax and silicone might both be worth trying to see which works best for you.
Let me know if they work out well for you!
These I can insert in my ear canal but being a side sleeper it puts pressure. Tonight I'm going try to cut the bit that is extra on length (besides being thin I have short canals ) . Interestingly it was the only Macks product that was out of stock in pharmacy, I think Portuguese being smaller (average of course) than Americans could be a reason. If only they did a child's size it would be it for me :)
Did it work out for you, cutting them down to size?
Excellent review thank you, so you would say the “Mack’s Ultra Soft” are a good option if I am a side sleeper?
I'm glad you liked it! Yes, I think so. I use them when lying on my side and find them more comfortable than the larger earplugs. Obviously, it's hard to be sure as I don't know what your ear canals are like, or your sensitivity to the foam inside them when you lie with your ear on a pillow. So all I can say is that they work for me, and are less 'lumpy' than many of the more industrial earplugs.
@@nosleeplessnights1 Thanks for the response! Currently in my country I am not able to get the "Mack Ultra Soft", but I found the brand "Alpine" which they sell the "DeepSleep" model. Do you know about them and if they are any good? Thanks
I haven't tried them. They are very different to the Mack's though because they are not made of foam.
Because people with normal hearing can hear through bone conduction sound will still be heard with all of these. Over the ear options can help with sound transmission through the mastoid bones. Combining is the best bet… yet here I am a professional still looking for options because of a snoring spouse haha
Thanks for adding that explanation. Some people use earplugs and then listen to white noise or music on over ear headphones, which works well. It's just not very comfortable for sleep - especially if you're a side sleeper. Good luck and I hope you find some earplugs that help with the snoring.
My advice is usually to work on getting the spouse to tackle their snoring though. There are plenty of solutions, and sometimes some trial and error can turn up one that works really well.
Any luck? My partner also snores and I'm really sensitive to sound and I'm just getting so exhausted.
Muffle wax earplugs are the very best from Boots Break one in half and knead it into shape and push in ear 👂 I’ve been putting earplugs in my ears since 1983 I don’t get on with foam earplugs at all as they fall out. I use a white noise machine next to my bed and earplugs as can hear. the machine through them but blocks out irritating noises in flats
I can't say those are my favourites, but I get that many people like wax earplugs. As you say, wax also makes it easier to get the exact quantity you want as it's easy to break the wax apart. I do agree that the double team of earplugs and a white noise machine works well!
Swore by these for years but now they’ve changed their formula I am so disappointed
I wish there were earplugs that has higher noise reduction then the ones on the market now. The highest I have seen is 36 decibel. I need like 45-50 decibel:/
I wish there were too! Maybe one day they will come up with some material that massively improves on the noise reduction. I think part of the problem is that we also receive sound through bone, not just the ear canal.
Thank you for the helpful overview. As an aside are you aware of any earplugs that sit ON your ear. So they dont actually go in to your ear canal.. Something more like a headband that goes around your head and covers your ears?
You're welcome James. I guess the nearest thing would be ear defenders. But they aren't very practical for sleep. I don't know of a headband that provides decent enough sound blocking that they could be on a par with earplugs. There's a gap in the market for that probably!
I'm also looking for something like this ! As the foam plugs drop out at night
Really appreciate your insights!
That's good to know, thanks!
Many thanks for the amazing video
Many thanks for the compliment!
Thanks for this! Are any of these earplugs washable?
You're welcome. Just the plastic ones at the end. All the others are disposible.
Thank you for this information! 🙌🏻🌞
You're very welcome!
Damn, I typically use the soft plastic style shown in this video and have never had issues getting them out in the morning, I just pull them out like I would some bluetooth earbuds, and they do the job of dulling sounds while sleeping. But your ears look A LOT different to mine, the beginning of my ear canal is fairly symmetrical to my ear opening and not completely cavernous like yours, having to dig them out like you showed would certainly freak me out. You have inspired me to check out some foam ones though, I've always been a bit weary of them as I tried one pair years ago and felt a lot of pressure buildup in my head with them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think you highlight a good point, which is that the ear canal shape and depth can have an impact on how comfortable and appropriate some earplugs will be. Good luck with the foam earplugs - I hope you find some that are comfortable.
If my alarm is set to the highest volume and I have foam earplugs for sleep, will I sleep through my alarm?
I can't answer that question. It depends on how loud your alarm is, which earplugs they are, how well you fit them, how you're sleeping etc etc. It would be wrong of me to say 'yes' and then you miss an important event. My advice would be to consider a wrist-based vibrating alarm if you're worried. That's what I use and it works really well. The one I use is the Fitbit Versa 3. It's quite expensive though, so you can find cheaper ones. That way you don't need to worry so much about hearing an alarm because the vibrating usually does a good job of waking you up (in my experience).
I’ve used 3M classic for years, just wondering how many uses people get out of a pair before they change to a new pair. Mine definitely are most effective when new out of box,
I think it will probably depend on the person and how they use them. I try to get more than one night's use out of the foam earplugs as a rule, just to reduce waste really. But if I drop them on the floor, or they appear dirty sooner, I replace them accordingly.
I use foam ones, individually packed. I place and remove them with clean hands and store them in their wrapping pack. I get about 5 uses out of them before they become itchy.
Which is best in budget 😅😅
Tricky question because I personally think all the foam earplugs are reasonably good value for money. Basic foam earplugs are not an expensive product, so the difference is in pennies/cents. Silicone, plastic, and wax tend to be more expensive. And then fancy earplugs that are custom molded etc can be pricier.
Real and sincere question: at 21:40 are you really supposed to put your earplugs (except wax/silicon ones) that far? I would be paranoid to damage my eardrum every second. Is that safe and the way you're supposed to use them? I never push ma foam plugs inside because I'm afraid I'll hurt myself or create some sort of cerumen blockage. Luckily I still manage to block noises. Have I been using them wrong?
In that segment, I'm just demonstrating the issue with those small plastic earplugs. They are so small for me, that they end up going in too deep and being difficult to remove. So you cant compare the way I demonstrate those with the way foam earplugs are inserted really. I think as long as you get some sound blocking with the foam ones, it doesn't matter if you don't insert them so deeply. It's all a case of balancing the comfort and sound blocking for your own needs.
Great job, I have a question about earplugs
but what about when you talk and hear your own voice too loud? Called the occlusion effect. Is this amplifying your own voice? Can this harm your hearing too?
Thank you very much
I don't usually talk when I wear earplugs, so can't really comment on that. I don't think it would harm your hearing though.
@@nosleeplessnights1 thanks for the response! But if you use it uma party, tha you need to talk a lot, you can hear your own voice super loud! I think there is resonation in the ear Chanel! Amplifying the sound….
Super helpful, thank you so much.
You're welcome - good to hear the vid was helpful!
Thank you for the video. The Howard Leight Max Smalls have been discontinued. Do you have any updated recommendation for people with small ear canals?
You're welcome! I know, it's a shame as they were good. For smaller ear canals, I still recommend the Mack's Ultra Soft. Other options are Mack's Dreamgirl and Mack's Slim fit. It seems like Mack's put more effort into making smaller foam earplugs than other brands. However, Hearos have a new one called Nanos too, which I haven't tried myself, but could be worth a go.
What is recommend for distrubing very low frequency noises?
It's very low but it disturbs me a lot to fall asleep.
I noticed that a lot of earplugs don't work for low, deep frequency noises even if those noises are very low/barely audible...
Yes, it's a tricky one, especially if some of the noise is travelling through objects rather than just the air. Have you tried noise cancelling headphones or pink/brown noise? It would be interesting to see if that cuts it out. Otherwise, I don't think I can recommend one set of earplugs that somehow manages to cut out low frequency noise better than all the others...
@@nosleeplessnights1 yes, both work anc headphones and white noise machine.
However, I can't fall asleep with a white noise machine. I just need silence :-)
The anc headphones I have are over ear, so not meant for sleeping.
I am a bit reluctantly to buy "on earbuds" (what's the brand name?) Since they are expensive and have a lot of bad reviews.
I hope to get a cheaper equally good solution.
But so far earplugs (wax, soft stuff) does not work.
Even worse: the earplugs reduce other noise and my the deep frequency more prominent.
That's a bit crazy provided that the deep frequency noise is very low, almost inaudible...
I can hear it better with earplugs on 🤣
I prefer foam to wax and silicone too. They just block more noise for me. The problem may be that some noise will reach your brain via solid objects rather than through the air. So there is a limit to how much of it you can block with earplugs sometimes.
I use since many years model 1100. it is very useful and fit well. But when i received a new box recently, i seen the sticker showing 'contains chemicals that may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm known to the State of California' Is someone aware of it? i thinking or returning it. is it really reprensent a health risk? i'm really skeptical about it.
I don't know about this personally. I do know that many products legally have to include that warning, but I'm unaware of what it is exactly in the earplugs that led to it being needed.
I had to have an MRI scan recently and they gave me a set of blue foam plugs. They just shoved them in my ears and they did nothing to reduce sound. I later learned that they should be rolled first before inserting. I bought some spark plug ones on amazon which are about 4mm smaller in length than the blue ones they gave me at the hospital so I assumed these will be perfect for me as I have small ears. Now I'm worried even these will be too long and cause damage as I'm a side sleeper and these are some of the longer ones in your video :(
Hi. You can cut the wide end if it's too long, which should solve the problem.
@@nosleeplessnights1 thanks I'll try that
Hello, i'm looking for an ear bud for sleep, i used the orange howard leight max 37db buds but they wake me up as the pain i get from the expanding pressure is high, BUT, i love it to be absolutely quite (or close to that), have you got a comfier plug you'd recommend? Many thanks
Maybe a foam ear plug as they offer the best DB reduction, with less radial pressure? Would be a good trade off? if so, what would you say I try next? Many thanks.
So they Howard Leight Max are quite wide comparatively. I would recommend trying any of the medium / small foam earplugs I discuss in the video. As I said in the vid, I like the Mack's ultra soft. But you might find those a little too small. Still, if you don't mind spending a bit of money to experiment, I'd recommend giving them a go as they tend to expand a bit less than the bigger Howard Leight. Another good option could be the Ear Buddy, though they aren't that much smaller than the Howard Leight as far as I can tell.
@@nosleeplessnights1 you are a very good man.. thank you so much for your reply. I will let you know what happens. I think your right, the ones I'm using are very big. Many thanks you have a great video and channel. Thank you for your time putting it all together ❤
You're very welcome. Let me know if you have more success with the next ones you choose:-)
Thanks Angel Ethan,
I find that my foam earplugs come out at night ! Is that normal?
I use to put silicone putty over the foam but it's so much hassle fiddling about with it when all you want to do last thing at night is just go straight to bed !
I'm seriously considering the boots custom made earplugs which costs £75 ! May do more research before splashing the cash !
Is there another way to keep the foam in without putting the silicone over your ear?
Do you know anything about reusable and washable earplugs?
On a environmental stand its quite wasteful to keep having to use new earplugs every night
Thank you so much for the review , oh by the way i found your voice very soothing , have you thought about doing a sleep meditation CD or something lol 😂
❤
Hi! Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for your kind words too. Actually, several people have asked me the same thing, and I have been contemplating doing some form of sleep podcast. I just don't have a professional recording studio, so have been procrastinating until I decide what to do about that!
So, if you have the right size and/or shape for your ears, and insert them correctly, foam earplugs should not fall out. Before spending over 100 quid on custom earplugs from Boots, I would do two things.
It might sound silly, but watching a video of someone inserting them can be very helpful. I thought I did it correctly until I watch a video from 3M years ago.
Secondly, try a different size earplug. If you've been using large, try a small, and vice versa. You might find you've just had too large ones popping out, or too small ones simply falling out because even when fully expanded they don't sit nicely. Which earplugs have you used before? Maybe I know them and can suggest a different size.
As for the environmental point, you are right about that. This is the main reason I typically use foam earplugs for longer than I'm supposed to. I just feel bad throwing them out night after night. You have to balance your own environmental concerns with the risks of putting used earplugs back in your ears. It's a tricky one...
I have tried reusable plastic/silicone ones, but never really like them much. I find them uncomfortable and they never block out nearly as much noise as foam for me.
Let me know if you find something that works!
Thank you so much for this amazing review
you're welcome and I'm glad you liked it!
I live an apartment near a main road. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I'll be woken up by loud ambulance sirens. Needing to find something to help with this.
I can understand that problem from my time living in NYC.
I don't think there is anything that is specifically made to combat that exact sound. Really well fitting earplugs with a high noise reduction rating should help, but some noise might still come through if it's really loud/close to you. Listening to sounds, such as nature sounds or white noise, through headphones can also help. But that might not be the best solution for every night.
Can I use the loop quiet earplugs and the Mack’s silicone earplugs at the same time to further reduce noises?
In theory, you could. I don't think I would though as I would be concerned about jamming the loop earbuds too deeply into my ear canal.
@@nosleeplessnights1 thanks I ordered both of them I’ll try and let you know
Please do - it's always interesting to hear about new ways to block noise.
which ones reduce noise the most? i need lowest dB
It's hard to say because the size and fit also plan a key role. But as a rule of thumb, those with a higher NRR are the ones to start with perhaps. In which case, those with NRR33, or close to it, are the ones I'd say are most likely to block most noise. So the Howard Leight, Mack's ultra soft, Heroes, Moldex, and 3M1100 are ones to look at.
Thanks!
Could you please recommend me a good sleeping noise cancelling mask that I can use simultaneously with my loop quiet earplugs? I know hibermate is good but it doesn’t ship in Italy
I haven't tried any masks that are also meant to block noise. From what I have seen online, I haven't been impressed enough yet to buy and test them! I may do in the future though, as a couple of people have asked them same question...
@@nosleeplessnights1 thanks ❣️❣️
No problem!
I found some ear plugs for sleeping they have 35 db. Is that too much? Can I hear my own breathing and heartbeat if I wear them?
Did you buy them in Europe, or are they European made? They sometimes have a higher rating with their system. I don't think it's too much personally. You might be able to hear your breathing and heartbeat, it's hard to predict. I don't mind that myself as it quietens once I relax, but I know some people don't like it.
@@nosleeplessnights1 I live in Europe so I guess they are Europe made.
I think Mack's silicon ear plugs give more noice reduction ,are you trusting the packet ranking or have you tried them ,put a video song on you tube and turn it down until you can no longer hear it ,try it with the silicon and foam ,I found the silicon better
Yes, I have tried all the earplugs many times! Well, if they work better for you, that's all that matters really:-)
Can the foam earlugs be used as many times as silicone earplugs? how long does it take to use foam earlugs, do they need to be replaced with new ones?
That's a hard question to answer really, and it depends on the particular earplugs. Because I use them so often, I try to be careful with not letting them get dirty. So I replace my foam earplugs every few days, or more regularly if they look like they got dirty quickly.
@@nosleeplessnights1 thanks for the answer sir.
Great review.. Greetings from Egypt ❤️
Thanks! Glad you liked it all the way over there in Egypt:-)
Could you review the Hatch Sunrise Alarm Clock? It’s supposed to let you play white or pink noise all night too. I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🙏🏻
I have those clocks on my long to-do list, but it won't be any time soon unfortunately...
Which one doesn't push ear wax deep inside the ears? Recommend me the best for ears. I used foam earbuds and cotton balls, and it pushed all the wax deep inside the ears, and now I'm trying to remove them all. It's so painful process.
Have you tried wax or silicon earplugs before? The idea with those is that you shape them over the entrance to your ear canal rather than rolling them like foam and stuffing them inside.
Thanks for your recommendation.
I've spent decades wearing earplugs at night and really like the foam ones. I started to get really itchy ears though each time I had them in and it would keep waking me up. I think I may have developed an allergy to them so for the last few months I've been using silicone earplugs. My ears get really wet inside with them though and at the moment I have an ear infection in both ears which I don't know if the silicone earplugs have caused. I much prefer the foam so may try another brand in case it's just the ones that I bought last time that irritates my ears. I'm also on the autistic spectrum and noise can really overwhelm me at times so I occasionally wear earplugs during the day just to help me relax a bit so I can calm down.
Sorry to hear you've been having this problem. Have you asked your doctor for their advice or did you self-diagnose with the ear infection? I'd recommend getting them checked out if you haven't done already. And if you do continue to use earplugs, make sure you change them regularly.
@@nosleeplessnights1Yes the doctor diagnosed the infections and gave antibiotic eardrops which I'm currently using. I'm going to try some different foam earplugs because if I can get on with them I think they would be better for my situation especially now I've had trouble with my ears.
Did your doctor give you any advice regarding which type of earplugs, if any, they would recommend?
Thank you
You're welcome Matthew!
Does the shape of an ear plug make any difference in its function? I've been trying cone ear plugs lately and it seems like they fall out at least once during the night. Would bell shaped ones have less of a problem with falling out?
Yes it can do. Personally, I like normal cone shapes, but I know some have better luck with bell shapes. You just have to experiment really.
Hello, I got a question regarding foam versions. Are you not afraid they will be inserted to deeply and cause damage to your ear drum?
I'm not personally afraid, no. That's because I've been using them for many, many years and my ears are still fine (to my knowledge). However, I can understand why it's a concern for people. My advice would be to be careful how deeply you insert them, remove them if you feel any discomfort or pain, and use wax or silicone instead of foam if you don't think you can use them safely, or want to err on the side of caution.
I was always under the impression that wax or mouldable silicon were far better at noise reduction than foam. I know I tried foam earplugs years ago with no real success. Nowadays I go to sleep listening to music on in ear earphones. I would like to just move to earplugs so may look at trying a few of these
Not in my experience they aren't. Even if you look at the average noise reduction rating the manufacturers say their earplugs have, good foam earplugs are typically around 28-33 decibels, where wax and silicone tend to be under 25. I think where they do work better is for people who find foam uncomfortable, in which case it doesn't matter how good the noise reduction rating is, you just won't wear them.
I think the trick is to find a comfortable size and shape that matches your ear canals well, which can take a bit of trial and error.
I suspect ive tried ones which are simply useless like those given away on journeys@@nosleeplessnights1
That might be the case. I've very rarely been impressed with the free earplugs handed out on any trips I've done. Same for some earplugs I've bought in stores. If I can't see a listed NRR number on a pack, ideally around 30+, I assume they aren't going to be great. There will be exceptions, of course, but not often in my experience.
How many times can you use a single pair before they go bad?
Tough question...most are disposible, so you should either use a new pair every day, or throw them away if they start to look dirty if you want to try to prolong their lifespan. Personally, with foam earplugs I go through a couple of pairs a week on average and keep them in a little carry case during the day.
@@nosleeplessnights1 Thanks for answering sir. Appreciate it.
Hearos is the best I tried others and they do nothing blue high fidelity it's amazeing
Thanks for sharing your experience. I agree Hearoes are good:-)
I have small ear canals but got some foam earplugs meant for large ear canals (I didn't check properly). Can I cut these foam earplugs so that they fit me?
Tricky question. I think the official answer would be it's best not to, otherwise small bits are likely to come off inside your ear canal, leading to more 'stuff' getting wedged in there. Unofficial answer - some people do because they don't want to waste the money they already spent.
You did say the max dB noise reduction is 33 for foam and silicon. Are you sure there aren't other options tht can reduce noise further? By 50 or 60dB? I mean the only other option I know would be digital ear ear protection buds for the gun range...but they let in ambient sounds below 80dB and are expensive at $250 USD...
I wish there were. That noise is the average for multiple people, so some people may get more than 33db if they fit really well. But I am certain none exist that have an average of 50-60 NRR when given to multiple people to test.
What do you think of those newfangled loop earplugs?
I haven't tried them yet, but plan on doing so in the coming months.
Hey buddy, my wife snores like my Ford F350 Diesel Truck. I can’t sleeep, I need to find the hard foam plugs. Do you know of any available? The really soft don’t work. I really need your help
Have you tried the 3M 1100? They are probably the most dense foam earplugs I've tried. I still wouldn't describe them as hard though - foam earplugs are never really hard. As for the snoring, has she spoken to her doctor about this?
I've been using the Howard leight spark plugs for years. I've found that they fit best when I wet them first. I've had people tell me that I'll get an infection doing that, but I've worn foam ear plugs, and wet them first for over 20 years and not once had an ear infection.
Hi, thanks for sharing your tip. That would be my first reaction too, and I don't think I would ever do that personally. It's interesting that it works for you. Doesn't it feel weird though?
@@nosleeplessnights1 It feels a little odd the first time you do it, but the moisture makes the ear plug slide in much easier.
Fair enough - if it works for you and you're sure it's not causing any problems. I wouldn't do this though, as even if you haven't had any infections that you know of yet, it doesn't mean there isn't the potential for something to happen later.
I always get ear infections with the slightest of water !!!
Please help..my elderly deaf neighbour plays his TV at a deafening volume 24/7..I need good earplugs
You might need to experiment with a couple of different styles. Let me know if you have any success!
Tried using plugs in the past and felt quite uncomfortable when I’m rolling in bed. Is there any that doesn’t get in way when you sleep?
Silicone or wax might be better for you.
What are your thoughts on getting custom fitted sleep plugs ?
I haven't had much luck with them myself, but if you have the opportunity to try them for a decent price, then why not?
Can you still hear smoke alarms when wearing these?
Hi! That's a really good question. Unfortunately, I won't be able to give you a straight answer though.
Firstly, it's impossible to tell in advance because it depends on various factors, such as the performance of the earplug, the suitability and fit in your ear, the smoke alarm sound, proximity, your hearing, how asleep you are, etc.
Secondly, I don't want to be responsible for your decision making when it comes to important safety points like this.
At the end of the day, using earplugs will always reduce some noise. It's up to the individual to weigh up the pros and cons of the amount and type of noise they block.
Thanks for getting back to me and for the informative answer. I have recently moved house and I am easily disturbed by passing traffic. This might be the answer. I always assumed that sleeping with earplugs would be unbearable but you have spiked my interest in this as a fix. Thanks once again.
You're welcome. I think the unbearable thing is often with foam earplugs. Some people just hate the way they feel. It can be particularly bad if you choose earplugs that are too large for your ears, or if you have sensitive ears. But with some experimenting with different sizes or perhaps trying other materials, you might find a comfortable way to mask the traffic noise. The smoke alarm issue is a different matter though, as it's obviously not dependent on comfort, but the balance between blocking the traffic and still hearing an alarm.
I bought the last, tree type earplugs from a different brand, and they say on the box that they have an SNR of 33. The ones im using have 4 ribs. so, those actually protect quite well, and are easy to remove because they are attached to a small rope.
The ones with cords are definitely easier to remove! I'd use those during the day, but prefer not to have the cord in bed.
Do you feel that they offer a similar noise reduction as good foam earplugs?
Awesome video
Thanks!
I have a question, since my roomate is an asshole and watches videos without a headset, isnt cotton earplugs the best for sound blockage? I have read it that cotton also quite well fits in a ear and is good for blocking sounds.
I don't think cotton is better than foam earplugs. Which brand have you seen that is just cotton?
At amazon 12 pieces are for 20 $ and at other chinese sites 60 pieces are for 6$. The one on amazon are also Made in China. I wonder if its ok to buy from Chinese sites I can wait a month or more
I don't know the Chinese sites well, so I'm not sure if I can give you a completely accurate answer. However, I think the logic about them being made in China seems reasonable. Whether you'd end up buying exactly the same ones is another question though. But if they work for you, then sure, why not save some money in the long run?
Which is best for canceling out dog barking?
That's a really tough one because loud dog barking will probably leak through any of them if it's close enough and loud enough. I don't think it would be right for me to say any particular one is the best for dog barking. It all boils down to which ones fit you best, and are comfortable enough that you'll actually want to keep using them. Having said that, all other things being equal, those with a high starting noise reduction rating would be where I would start experimenting with first if the barking is loud.
Whats the best to stop earing the dogs from steets
That's a tough one. Maybe find a way to create a better sound barrier by your window if possible, whether that's sealing gaps or using acoustic curtains. Earplugs can help too, but if it's really loud, probably not block it 100%. Listening to your own audio on good headphones is another option.
i have macks they are AWEDOME
Which ones, the Soft foam ones? Presumably not the silicone judging from your other comment!
@@nosleeplessnights1 yes macks soft foam ones are the best
I thought so. It's good to hear from another fan of those earplugs. I still think they have the best balance of comfort and sound blocking for my ears!
Im looking for earplugs that drown out crashing and slamming sounds
I don't think there are specific earplugs designed to be good for those specific noises. It's more a case of finding the best ones for your ear canals, fitting them correctly, and ideally having a high noise reduction rating to start with.
Hey since you are an expert in this . Is there any product not like the ear plugs that goes inside your ear cuz it causes pain for me , like the winter headphones thing without the thing that connects both sides. Thanks a lot!!!
So if you mean the type of headphones like the AcousticSheep Sleepphones, Lavine or Cozyphones, unfortunately I don't know of any of that style that don't have a cable connecting the two speakers and a control unit in the headband too. It's a good idea, and I imagine if you can have independent earbuds that work via Bluetooth, you should also be able to have a headband style without a connecting part. I just don't know of any company making them at this point unfortunately.
@@nosleeplessnights1 like I want something that cover the eat from outside but without the thing that connects from both side and I don’t wanna listen to music while sleeping just like block cuz Bluetooth isn’t good for you a lot it’s like bad waves for your brain
I'm really not sure if what you want exists. If it's headphones that don't go in your ear, they usually need a connecting piece to keep them in place, like large overear headphones. If it's not headphones, then a thick headband with no technology might help muffle a little sound. Otherwise, maybe try silicone or wax earplugs instead as they don't go inside your ears like foam earplugs - assuming you fit them well.
Los Mack's de color marrón son geniales, los 3M son muy incómodos y su espuma no es tan suave como los marrones de Mack's
Estoy de acuerdo Javier! Sin embargo, a mi me gustan los 3M - solamente no para todos los dias. Imagino que no son buenos para todos por el tamano, como dices vos.
Are you still able to hear your alarm properly?
It depends on how loud your alarm is, how good your hearing is, which earplugs you use, how well you fit them, and how deeply you are sleeping! So it's not a question I can easily answer.
If you have a SmartWatch/band it's easy as it's on your body, or you can also maximize your phone's vibration!
Hey man I’ve been using ear plugs the foam one and my ears from the inside start to hurt
It could be that you are using earplugs that are too large for your ear canals, or inserting them too far. But some people do just find them uncomfortable, even if they technically fit correctly. If they hurt, don't use them.
Your body maybe sensible to the components of the product (foam)
Can't found this one "Howard Leight Small"
It looks like they are either out of stock at the moment. I've seen more recently they're making 'howard leight laser leight for women' that are also smaller than their standard industrial sizes. If you need smaller earplugs you could try those. Mack's Dreamgirl are also smaller ones to try, as are the ones I first suggested in the video.
Can anyone suggest totally sound blocking earplugs?
Hi! The problem is that there aren't any earplugs which are 100% guaranteed to totally block 100% of all sound. No matter how good they are, there will always be a level of noise that will get through and/or that you will hear through physical conduction anyway.
So in my experience, the most practical question is more along the lines of 'which are the most comfortable and effective ones for my particular ears'?
No matter what anyone tells you about the latest and greatest earplugs, headphones, or other tech, if someone plays music extremely loudly through massive speakers or shouts loudly right next to you, you're likely to hear some of it.
At the other end of the extreme argument, if the noise that's bothering you is something very quiet like a soft fan, quiet traffic very far away, or someone breathing in bed next to you, then the answer is more likely to be 'all of the earplugs totally block it'.
Having said all that, what is the exact sound you need to block out?
My roommate snores loudly so I need to block that sound and sleep peacefully
Ah, ok. Sorry, I know that's a really difficult sound to cope with and to block out. My opinion is that any foam earplug with a noise reduction rating of 33 or just under that fits your ear canal well is the best chance. If you can sleep with music and headphones, that will work too, but maybe not the best idea for every night. Have you tried speaking to them about the snoring to see if they'd be willing to try anything for it?
Loop quiet with the mutes added
Need a new room mate? Or double up on sound protection. Earplugs+ ear defenders.
I saw a peanut butter jar there
Peanut butter would probably block noise well. Bit messy though...