Hearing protection -- particularly when it has to do with getting a good night's sleep -- is serious business.
You (probably) already know that we at Ear Plug Superstore take issues such as hearing protection, noise-canceling, and sound masking very seriously -- but we're not the only ones. We're happy to report that we were able to share a little of our hearing protection expertise with the New York Times, for an article on noise-blocking devices for sleeping which ran earlier this week!
Restful, peaceful sleep uninterruped by outside noises is a rare and precious commodity these days... and missing out on the deep sleep we need due to disturbing sounds can raise our stress levels, make us more vulnerable to illness, and (when the sound is due to snoring) even end marriages! If you have trouble sleeping at night, whether it's due to snoring or to other night-time noises, you know first-hand how important getting good, quality sleep really is. And we at EPSS know just how very helpful a trusty pair of earplugs or some soothing white noise (whether from white noise machines or from in-ear white noise generators) can be when you're seeking a good night's rest -- and so does the New York Times!
From "Noise-Canceling Devices for a Good Night's Sleep," the article that ran this week in the New York Times, comes the following excerpt:
|
"Over the last few weeks, I have tested several other gadgets designed to help you sleep or save your ears. Some of them emit sounds (usually white noise or a variant) in an effort to mask distracting noises. Others block sounds in ingenious ways. Used correctly, these gadgets could change your life — you might finally get a reprieve from your snoring spouse, or vice versa; you might finally get your baby to sleep (so you can spend more time with your snoring spouse), or you might finally drown out those unashamedly loud neighbors." |
The article also featured reviews of several of our favorite sound-killing, sleep-related earplugs and gadgets. For instance, the author recommended the Marsona Marpac SoundScreen 980 for couples seeking better sleep, calling the machine "drop-dead easy to use," and adding that there was "something deeply pleasing about it" that gave it an edge over alternative, digital white noise sources.
Of course, if one person in the couple doesn't enjoy white noise playing all night long, other solutions are called for; this excerpt from the same article sums up the problem nicely:
|
"Now, imagine this scenario: One half of a couple snores interminably, but can’t stand a white-noise machine. The other half can’t stand the snoring. What can save this marriage? What should our incompatible couple do? Try foam earplugs first, Mr. Bergman suggested. The best earplugs (rated NRR 33, meaning they reduce ambient noise by 33 decibels) will provide significant relief from unwanted sound, but only if they are worn properly... For some snoring victims, though, earplugs are not enough." |
The article then recommended our personal favorite snoring solution: the SnoreMasker Pro in-ear white noise generator. The author described the SnoreMasker Pro as follows: "I don’t have a snoring spouse, so I can’t comment on the SnoreMasker’s effectiveness. But I can say that when I inserted it and turned it on, I did feel enveloped in white noise, an entirely pleasing sensation. But an expensive one."
And they're right: the SnoreMasker Pro isn't cheap, especially compared to a pair of earplugs! That's why we always recommend trying a good ol' pair of foam earplugs or a white noise machine (or both!) first, before choosing the SnoreMasker Pro! The less expensive solutions may do the trick, and if so, great! ...But if even the best earplugs and white noise can't give you the peace and quiet you need, the SnoreMasker Pro is available, ready to knock out even the most sleep-disturbing snoring, without disturbing your spouse. (Drastic noise calls for drastic measures!)
Before the article concluded, the Times even mentioned a few of our other favorite items that had nothing to do with sleep -- notably the Etymotic ER-20 High-Fidelity Earplugs for music, and the Mack's Ear Saver headphone volume safety device (ideal for kids). All in all, we're absolutely thrilled to see hearing protection, particularly noise blocking for a good night's sleep, getting the press and attention it deserves!
So we'd like to say a big thank you to the New York Times for helping us share our hearing protection and conservation information with the world. No one should have to miss sleep due to disturbing, irritating night-time noises, period. (Again, you can view the New York Times article here.)
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing -- and get some sleep!
--Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman
