4 ms·

If you have a moment, can you share a link or two? There seem to be a number of models and prices. I don't know what's sufficient and what's overkill.

by x2f10 7y ago

ixf 7y ago
So, for sleeping I'd go for softer plugs like those made by Howard Leight for shooting (Laser Leights) or Moldex Spark Plugs. Hearing protection always talks about attenuation in terms of dB(A) (A-weighting being a sensible thing to do when measuring perceived sound levels). 30dB(A) is a significant attenuation (logarithmic scale, don't forget). 35dB(A) is quite an improvement over 30dB(A). For long-term use, ear plugs aren't great. But ear defenders can be had cheaply which will work well; I know of some people who use ear defenders atop in-ear active-noise-cancelling headphones as a double-whammy. The correct answer is to work/sleep in quiet places, though, but I realise this is fast becoming a luxury.
- nkurz 7y ago
  I agree with all these. If you are choosing one blindly, my preferred earplug for comfort is the Howard Leight Max Lite. Ideally, though, buy a sample pack from someone (like this, https://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html https://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html) and see which one fits your ears and needs best. Note that there is a considerable amount of technique in using earplugs correctly. You don't just shove them toward your ear and hope for the best. Normally, they are rolled tightly, and then inserted fairly deeply into the ear canal, where they then expand. Have someone demonstrate, watch a video on it, or read the instructions very closely.
therealdrag0 7y ago
I use "Mack's Ultra Soft Foam" for sleeping.
gav 7y ago
I'm not a huge fan of the foam ear plugs and find 3M's "Peltor Sport Tri-Flange Reusable Earplugs" something that's comfortable for me to wear on long international flights to sleep. The downside of the non-foam design is 26db vs. 32db. They are around $5 for a three-pack. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Consumer/Ear-plugs-Earmuffs/PELTOR/Hearing-Protection/?N=5002385+8709316+8710742+8711017+8713720+8717547+8735361+3294857497&rt=r3 https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All...
cerberusss 7y ago
Get the 3M E-A-Rsoft FX, code ES-01-020. These seem to have the highest attenuation I can find.
mrmuagi 7y ago
Sorry for the late reply, I had a look at what I have. I started off with orange 3M 1100 Foam Ear Plugs [0], but currently gone through two iterations of Moldex Pura-Fit Tapered Foam [1]. My main purchasing motivator is the decibel (dB) rating on the product, which blocks more sound -- which is standardized with Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). [0] https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MV... [1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYAP7I https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYAP7I

If you have a moment, can you share a link or two? There seem to be a number of models and prices. I don't know what's sufficient and what's overkill.

by x2f10 7y ago

If you have a moment, can you share a link or two? There seem to be a number of models and prices. I don't know what's sufficient and what's overkill.

ixf 7y ago

So, for sleeping I'd go for softer plugs like those made by Howard Leight for shooting (Laser Leights) or Moldex Spark Plugs. Hearing protection always talks about attenuation in terms of dB(A) (A-weighting being a sensible thing to do when measuring perceived sound levels). 30dB(A) is a significant attenuation (logarithmic scale, don't forget). 35dB(A) is quite an improvement over 30dB(A). For long-term use, ear plugs aren't great. But ear defenders can be had cheaply which will work well; I know of some people who use ear defenders atop in-ear active-noise-cancelling headphones as a double-whammy. The correct answer is to work/sleep in quiet places, though, but I realise this is fast becoming a luxury.

nkurz 7y ago
I agree with all these. If you are choosing one blindly, my preferred earplug for comfort is the Howard Leight Max Lite. Ideally, though, buy a sample pack from someone (like this, https://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html https://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html) and see which one fits your ears and needs best. Note that there is a considerable amount of technique in using earplugs correctly. You don't just shove them toward your ear and hope for the best. Normally, they are rolled tightly, and then inserted fairly deeply into the ear canal, where they then expand. Have someone demonstrate, watch a video on it, or read the instructions very closely.

therealdrag0 7y ago

I use "Mack's Ultra Soft Foam" for sleeping.

gav 7y ago

I'm not a huge fan of the foam ear plugs and find 3M's "Peltor Sport Tri-Flange Reusable Earplugs" something that's comfortable for me to wear on long international flights to sleep. The downside of the non-foam design is 26db vs. 32db. They are around $5 for a three-pack. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Consumer/Ear-plugs-Earmuffs/PELTOR/Hearing-Protection/?N=5002385+8709316+8710742+8711017+8713720+8717547+8735361+3294857497&rt=r3 https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All...

cerberusss 7y ago

Get the 3M E-A-Rsoft FX, code ES-01-020. These seem to have the highest attenuation I can find.

mrmuagi 7y ago

Sorry for the late reply, I had a look at what I have. I started off with orange 3M 1100 Foam Ear Plugs [0], but currently gone through two iterations of Moldex Pura-Fit Tapered Foam [1]. My main purchasing motivator is the decibel (dB) rating on the product, which blocks more sound -- which is standardized with Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). [0] https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MV... [1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYAP7I https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYAP7I