We often say we love hearing from customers -- and it's absolutely true. We learn more from YOU than we do from any other source! Here's an incredibly helpful email from Jenn, who is going on her very own Earplug Odyseey to find the perfect soft, small ear plugs for sleeping. Thanks again for writing, Jenn.
Hello,
I recently purchased a "Just the smallest" sampler and wanted to give some feedback and ask some questions.
First off, a little about me I have sensitive hearing, a very sensitive ear canal and they are narrow and short ta' boot. I sleep on my side, on my tummy, on my back and sometimes toss and turn, in that order of frequency. And about four months ago the factory across the street from me has been making such a racket I can no longer sleep at night. Thus my earplug odyssey began. Anyhow...
The E.A.R E-Z Fit are the best ones in the pack for me, they are really soft, have a comfortable shape and are a good length. However one of the plugs is defective in it shape making it pervious to sound (an obvious manufacturing defect) and I'm wondering if this is common with this particular ear plug? Because I don't want to buy bulk if the quality isn't going to be there (defeating the price break). Also, the green card that came with the sampler says the plugs have an NRR of 31 but the website states it has an NRR of 28, which one is correct? And finally, do you have any more plugs for me to try in this Size/softness range?
The Small Meteors have a great shape and length to them but the firmness leaves something to be desired. One of the plugs came with a lot more blue marbling... and the one with more marbling is significantly stiffer than the plug with virtually no marbling. The softer one is almost bearable but these plugs are off my list of "maybes" for being inconsistent.
The 3M E.A.R Classic Small, I'm assuming by process of elimination is whats listed on the green card as "Classic Amigo" is a no go for me. One of the reasons being, they are different sizes, one is just over 11mm in diameter and the other is nearly 13mm in diameter... weird.
All the others were either too long for slide sleeping, too stiff or a combination of both. I've also tried Macks Dreamgirls, which are fairly comfortable but don't offer much in the way of sound dampening. Mack Slim Fit which are just about the same as Macks Dreamgirls except they are longer and therefor less desirable. Macks SnoreBlockers, which were too big and stiff. Flents Super Sleep for side sleeping, strangely these have some of the best noise suppression of any plugs I've tried but they don't have a comparatively high NRR. Unfortunately the diameter + stiffness make it impossible for me to wear them more then 10mins. Hearos Ultimate Softness were good except they made my ears itch like crazy. And last but not least I've tried "the worlds finest natural earplugs" Blue, Beeswax, lanolin, cotton... I don't mind the residue because of how comfortable they are but but no matter how I try putting them in they create trapped air pressure that make my ears hurt all the next day, and that really bugs me and I cant go though all that for only sub par sound dampening.
So my motive for providing allllllllllll of this information is to now ask: have any recommendations?
Also, I've tried listening to white pink and brown noise generators and they literally make me want to pull my hair out... except for brown noise, that makes me feel like throwing up. I know that sounds crazy... but it just is. I haven't tried those CD's of like, whale noises and nature stuff... is that something you would recommend pairing with plugs?
Thank you!!
Jenn
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Jenn,
Remarkable…
I am sorry you received a bad pair of EZ Fit. We just learned that a bad batch of that particular ear plug went through the system recently and you apparently received one of the randomly bad packs. I want to assure you that 3M has corrected the problem and you can buy them with confidence.
To show you what the current product looks liken I am sending you a couple of pairs at no charge today.
I am not a fan of whale noises, trains in the night, or lapping of waves. For me, the simple noise of an electromechanical Dohm does it. The noise it makes is not like any other. It would be my top recommendation if you decided to try another white noise solution. http://www.earplugstore.com/marpac-dohm-ds-white-noise-machine.html
I appreciate all the detail in your response. I learn a lot from customers like you who take time to really spell it out for us.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Thank you.
Tom Bergman
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Thanks again for writing and giving us permission to post this here in the blog, Jenn!
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore
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