Ear Plug Superstore - Official Blog

Can Ear Plugs Save Your Marriage (from Snoring)?

If you're struggling to sleep with snoring, and you're at your wit's end, you're not alone. Millions of folks are out there, sleep-deprived and desperate, just fighting to sleep next to the person they love - like this customer who sent in a recent Flents Quiet Please Ear Plugs review:

Ear plugs save my marriage from snoring wife.

My wife snores. I've become so used to wearing these ear plugs to bed at night that I can't sleep without them. Easy to insert and remove. Good job of noise reduction though not as effective as noise canceling head phones. But, I can't sleep with head phones, so these are my first choice.

Pros: Good noise reduction
Easy to use
Relatively inexpensive
Enables sleeping in any position

Cons: Not as effective as noise canceling head phones

Sleeping with a snoring spouse can ruin your marriage (and your life). Full stop.

That might sound like an overstatement, but when you consider that sleep is tied to our ability to work effectively, think clearly, and even regulate stress and emotions, it's easy to see why snoring takes a big toll. There's no escape; the snoring happens every night, and every day you get out of bed exhausted; your health suffers. Enough missed sleep affects mood, damages relationships, and can put your career and health at risk. It is no exaggeration that some marriages end in divorce simply because one partner's snoring meant the other could not sleep, night after night, year after year. It adds up. Eventually, when it comes down to choosing between a good relationship or a good night's sleep, something's got to give.

It's probably no surprise that a lot of individuals and businesses have tried to solve the snoring problem, then, with so many relationships on the line. And there are a lot of snoring relief solutions out there: strips, sprays, and even surgeries that all claim to be the next big "cure for snoring." Some work better than others, some folks have better luck or worse, but none are guaranteed. Be careful and think critically about the snoring solutions you're willing to try: some of these "miracle cures" are incredibly expensive, and a few are downright dangerous. Of course, you HAVE to sleep, so if the snoring will not stop, you may find yourself willing to take some drastic measures to save your marriage and/or sanity, right?

Well, before you do anything drastic: try ear plugs.

Like this customer pointed out, a solution like noise canceling headphones is a great way to block out unwanted noise in the daytime - but at night, when you're lying in bed, you need something that will stay put even if you toss and turn. Ear plugs are the best for sleeping with snoring. They're simple, they're far safer than drugs or sprays, and even the most expensive custom ear plugs you can buy are still a tiny fraction of the cost of a surgery. Just as important, ear plugs have no weird side-effects and no risk; they can't interact with your medications or make you groggy in the morning. They're not habit-forming. And ear plugs also come in a wide range of shapes and feels, ranging from super plush foam to smooth silicone to soft wax and cotton - so if you've only tried one pair of plugs for sleeping and didn't like it, good news: every type of plugs has a very different feel, and there's probably another earplug out there that will help you block out that snoring, comfortably and safely.

If you're struggling with a snoring spouse, don't give up. You're not alone, and there are good answers right at your fingertips. This customer found Flents Quiet! Please Ear Plugs to be an excellent solution, but your mileage may vary. Our Ear Plugs for Sleeping department is a good place to start browsing. Consider adding a background layer of white noise in your bedroom and also wearing ear plugs for a double layer of snore-blocking - this is always our best tip for those sleeping with constant hard-to-filter snores. Or if you know your spouse's snoring is just really, REALLY loud? An in-ear white noise generator might be right for you, combining both into one device.

Too exhausted to browse? Go get our Snoring Relief Kit for a quick collection of the ear plugs that are most likely to solve your snoring problem. (We made the kit for you and folks exactly like you: no time, no energy, and in need of relief ASAP.)

Don't lose hope. Try hearing protection to block snoring, improve your sleep, and ease your relationship stress. Because as it turns out, ear plugs actually can save your marriage - assuming your marital problem is snoring, anyway.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Finding the Best Noise Cancelling Earplugs for Sleeping

When you need noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping, you need the best. Few things are more important than getting a good night's sleep, and blocking out noise at night is just as important as blocking out light. But how do you find the best sleeping earplugs? What do you look for? A customer who's been using noise LaserLite noise cancelling earplugs for sleep for twenty years has some advice to offer:

I’ve been using these for more than 20 years.

I’m a light sleeper. In college I had a large-ish apartment and used to move from one room to another at night depending on which room was quietest from neighborly noise. It wasn’t until graduate school that I discovered the wonders of ear plugs. Finally I could sleep through the night in an apartment building.

I also soon discovered, however, that most earplugs made my ears hurt after a day or two of use. After much trial and error, I discovered these earplugs, the perfect combination of comfort and highest noise reduction capability.

Now, after more than 20 years, and now that I don’t need to be vigilant to children’s cries at night, I can once again enjoy the comfort and quiet of these earplugs.

When it comes to finding the best noise blocking earplugs for sleeping, the search isn't always easy. The hearing protection that works well for a friend or co-worker might not work well for you, even if you're approximately the same size and sleep in similar circumstances. To find the right plugs, you have to consider a few factors: noise blocking, comfort, and time.

NRR

NRR, or Noise Reduction Rating, is a measure of how much sound a hearing protector is able to block out. More noise blocking means a higher NRR, with the upper limit capping out at around NRR 33. If you sleep with a lot of noise, like snoring or honking traffic or loud neighbors, a higher NRR will be important. But on the flip side, there is absolutely such a thing as too much noise blocking! If you have kids you need to hear, or if you're a heavy sleeper who needs to wake up to an alarm in the morning, it may seem counterintuitive, but try the lowest-NRR plugs you can find first. Peace and quiet are essential - that's why you need noise cancelling earplugs to sleep in the first place - but remember that your safety is just as important.

Comfort

Ear plugs that block sound perfectly and hurt your ears might as well block no sound at all: you're just going to take them out. When it comes to industrial noise, we often say "the best hearing protection is the one you actually use," and that's just as true with sleeping. Soft foam is going to be the key here: look for earplugs with very soft foam construction, usually UF rather than PVC material is softer. Thermo-reactive material may be a great feature to keep an eye out for, as the heat from your body passively softens this kind of foam so it conforms to your ear and stays soft through the night. A smooth-skinned coating also helps to ensure the plugs won't irritate your sensitive ear canal skin after hours of wear.

Also consider the shape of the plugs when you're considering comfort. The material isn't everything. A slightly smaller size is likely to be more comfortable, especially if you're a side-sleeper; just keep in mind that a smaller ear plug with a narrower diameter is likely to block less noise than a fatter plug would. Similarly, if your foam earplugs are too long to sleep comfortably on your side, many of our customers have reported that you can trim the plug down to be shorter, so it won't stick out! This is a perfectly good solution for fit and comfort, but note that this will dramatically reduce the amount of sound your plugs are able to block: cutting them up takes the NRR way down. That said, if you're trying to find the best sleeping ear plug, comfort is just as important as noise cancelling, and you're probably not at risk from hazardously loud noise - so if you're feeling the urge to grab some scissors and experiment, it won't hurt to give it a shot.

Time (and Cost.)

If you're using earplugs for sleeping every night, congratulations: the hardest part is done. You found the right plugs for your ears. But they say time is money - and wearing earplugs every night can add up. To start, if you're using foam sleeping earplugs, you should really change to a new pair every night. Almost all foam earplugs are designed to be disposable - that is, thrown away after a single use. This is primarily to prevent wax and bacteria from building up on your plugs and in your ear canals, and also to ensure the plugs are soft, comfortable, and effective every time. You need to keep your ears clean and safe, while also having the noise cancelling you need in the night.

The customer above found one excellent answer: buy in bulk. Many popular foam earplugs for sleeping can be found in local pharmacies and grocery stores in small packages containing just a few pairs. These are handy, but can also mean you're paying up to 10x as much per pair of plugs. The trick is that those same plugs are often available in other packaging intended for industrial customers. The hearing protection you use for sleeping might also be popular for blocking out jackhammers and heavy-duty machinery. And that means you can buy a full box of foam plugs just once or twice a year, get exactly what you know you need, and have a fresh pair to use each night... for a fraction of what the consumer packs of plugs on the shelf would cost you.

There's also a note to be made here about custom sleeping earplugs. The best noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping will be, hands down, a professionally custom fitted pair. These are made by taking an impression of your ear canal and using that to custom-craft a set of earplugs that fit your ears perfectly. And when you're using earplugs for sleeping every night, for years, moving to a custom set designed to be reused over and over again brings huge savings: less waste, and less money in the long run. Pro custom earplugs are very expensive compared to foam plugs, though, so unless you're sure you'll need noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping in the long term, it may be wiser to keep experimenting with disposable foam.

Where to Start?

Don't get frustrated with yourself if it takes some trial-and-error to find the perfect sleeping earplugs for your unique ears. Like this customer writes, it may take several tries before you find the right balance of sound blocking and comfort - but don't give up! Once you find the right sleeping plugs, you can stick with what you know and what works - potentially for years. Many of our customers do.

To start the search for the perfect noise cancelling sleeping earplugs for you, try these handy links.

• LaserLite Foam Earplugs - the ones from the customer review above, in a bulk box.
• Just the Smallest - a selection of super soft, smaller-sized foam plugs to try for those with sensitive ears.
• Just the Highest NRR - if you're sleeping with loud noise like snoring, start here.
• Foam Earplugs in Box Quantities - if you know which plugs you need, stock up and seriously save.
• Pro Custom Sleeping Plugs - if you're ready, you're ready.
  
  

And as always - until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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New Dynamics Sound Guard: Military Ear Plugs... For Sleeping??

When it comes to comparing foam ear plugs, different plugs are typically recommended for different applications. The earplugs designed and sold for blocking noise while riding a motorcycle, for instance, usually aren't the same plugs suggested for use while studying in a noisy dorm room or working on a construction site. But despite what the product names and packaging might suggest, you can get some great results by using foam plugs intended for one purpose for another application entirely, as this customer recently found by using their New Dynamics Sound Guard Foam Ear Plugs - a long-standing favorite of the US Military - for a totally different purpose:

I have issues waking up to the littlest noises. I’ve tried all different ear plugs over the years and they either don’t work with blocking sounds or fall out. My friend is in the Air Force and when I was visiting her she gave me a pair to use. It’s what they use around aircrafts. Well, I was amazed! Never fell out and I slept like a log. Nothing woke me up and I was even sleeping on her couch when she got ready and left for work. I would always wake up if she was in the kitchen but nope, slept right through. I’ve used anytime I travel now. They look regular but are highly effective. I’m guessing this is why they use in the Air Force!

From the Air Force to crashing on a friend's couch - that's a pretty big leap!

It makes sense though, if you think about it. The military requires superior noise blocking to protect against the massive noise from gunfire, vehicles, and explosions. And while the circumstances are totally and completely different, the noise itself is the same: it's just vibrations in the air. The same foam will work the same way regardless of the characteristics of the noise itself, at least for the most part. And ear plugs that can take the hazardous edge off of military-grade blast noise would certainly be effective against snoring - or a friend's morning coffee grinder.

New Dynamics Sound Guard Foam Ear Plugs come individually-packaged in tiny boxes.

In fact, there are only a few differences between types of foam ear plugs. The type of foam material (UF or PVC, which determines stiffness and exterior texture), the size of the plug (diameter and lengthwise), and the shape (bullet, bell, or cylinder) can all differ, as can color, but that's about it. Different combinations of these factors produce different Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR's), and determine how comfortable each person will find each set of ear plugs to be - a highly subjective determination that is legitimately unique for each individual. Exceptions to this guideline exist, but the core idea and general construction of regular disposable foam ear plugs are, for the most part, extremely similar.

This is actually pretty great news - because it means you can can mix-and-match, like the customer above did. Why not go for the military's preferred foam earplug for sleeping?

Now, New Dynamics Sound Guard ear plugs are a stiffer PVC foam, and they're sized for medium-to-large adults. So this is a slightly unusual plug to see someone choose for sleep. But one great thing that does make these plugs unique is that they're multi-colored not for decoration but for usability. When inserted properly, only one color of the Sound Guard foam should be visible externally. This special dual-color design the guesswork out of making sure your earplugs are inserted properly - which is critical, or you won't get the rated protection, and your ears will remain vulnerable to damaging blast noise. But there's no reason you can't use the same guideline to make sure your ears are diligently protected from snoring or roommates or any other unwanted nighttime noise.

Sound Guard's dual-color design helps ensure proper (effective) insertion.

All in all, kudos to this customer's friend for introducing them to an excellent hearing protector! I love the thinking here, genuinely. A military hearing protector to help a guest sleep: an unusual choice that, on second thought, makes absolute sense.

You know, thinking of creatively using foam ear plugs out of context - you can get our Industrial Disposable Foam Ear Plugs in single-pair quantities, and they work every bit as well for blocking all kinds of noise as the consumer-packaged five-packs of disposable foam ear plugs "for sleeping" or "for shooting" etc do... only with industrials, you can get single pairs, and you don't have to pay for the pretty packaging. Most shops don't break bulk to let you buy industrial ear plugs in such small quantities, but we've always wanted to make more types of ear plugs available to more people! So if you're on a quest for the best foam plugs, you might start thinking outside the box. And when it comes to regular foam ear plugs, as long as the NRR is high enough and they fit properly, you cannot go wrong.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Your New Go-To Ear Plugs for Sleeping (May Not Be What You Expect)

What kind of ear plugs do you like best for sleeping? Every type has its pros and cons. Moldable silicone is low-profile with a very shallow, comfortable and customizable fit, but not everyone likes the feel of the material; foam is classic and tends to offer the highest noise protection, but you need to use a new pair every night; and pre-molded reusables offer the most unique features and the best price savings over time, but can be the trickiest to get a comfortable fit to sleep with.

We got some excellent - and unexpected - feedback about how an industrial hearing protection ear plug used for high-noise manufacturing and motorcycle noise, the Howard Leight Quiet Reusable Ear Plug, actually hit several of those sleeping targets in one shot:

My Go-To Earplugs for Sleeping

I like to wear earplugs when I sleep but for years was looking for a pair that blocked the noise like I wanted, were comfortable when sleeping, lasted for several nights, and weren't messy like the silicone gel plugs. These were the only ones that I was ever satisfied with and I've used them now for over 12 years. I used to get them at my local supermarket but they stopped carrying them. I was trilled to find these guys had them, and in a bulk pack too! I also use them when I'm travelling and want to have some quiet in the airplane or train.

Pros: Comfortable
Effective in keeping out noise.
Reusable (for a few nights at least)
Cost effective
Compact, so you don't get poked when sleeping

Cons: None that I can think of!

Honeywell's Quiet Ear Plugs are a great choice for sleeping, but not the most common choice! For one, Quiet is primarily marketed as an industrial noise protection plug. For two, reusable plugs usually aren't the first choice for folks looking for noise relief at night, since the firmer material and pre-set shape can get uncomfortable over the hours. This is especially true for side sleepers, who get a lot of success with very soft foam, or moldable silicone or wax and cotton. 

Honeywell Howard Leight Quiet Reusable Foam Ear Plugs (NRR 26)

The key is that Quiet is a hybrid type ear plug - and that's why it's such a genius choice for snoring and sleeping. It's got a firmer central stem and a washable and reusable design, which makes it easy to insert and very cost-effective like a resuable ear plug, but it's a resuable foam plug, which means it's also very soft, smooth, and non-irritating. It's comfortable enough for sleeping, with the perks of an extremely inexpensive industrial reusable. With a balance of features and its big potential for cost savings, Quiet is a plug anyone who needs hearing protection for sleeping should take a look at.

Of course, which type of ear plugs for sleeping works best for each individual is very subjective, and can involve some trial and error to figure out. Unfortunately, there's no quick rule to tell what will feel the best and work most effectively for each person. But once you know what you prefer, you can scale up like this smart person did and buy in bulk to save a ton over time. (The Quiet is indeed available in boxes, so you can stock up and then forget about it for a while.) When you need ear plugs to sleep, there's no reason not to have exactly what you need on hand.

Unexpected as it is, Howard Leight Quiet Ear Plugs may actually be the next sleeper hit for sleeping with noise.

(Though if you'd like some other sleeping ear plug options to browse, we've got you covered.)

And until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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How to Block Bass Vibrations for Sleeping

 

Q. Hello, I'm trying to find an earplug or solution to blocking bass vibrations while sleeping. I've tried white noise machines and different earplugs. Earplugs I've tried block noise just fine but not vibrations. Is there an earplug for this? Can you recommend one of your products?

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A. I feel your pain. Unfortunately, there is nothing beyond earplugs and white noise machines that can address the kind of low vibrations you are suffering through. But we may be able to combine these to get you a better result.

The best thing I know to suggest is to try experimenting with different kinds of white noise by getting an app for your smart phone and playing through a speaker (or getting a dedicated white noise machine) so that you can turn the volume up. A sound with heavy bass may do more to help mask the unwanted vibrations - or a white noise sound mix with other background noise (such as rain, surf, crickets, etc.) might also help to cover the less pleasant bass with more soothing sounds. The goal is to find a sound that makes it much harder (or ideally impossible) to hear the bass that's bothering you. The sound will likely need to be turned up pretty loud to accomplish this; that's where the ear plugs come in.

Once you get the correct kind of white noise sound for you, at a volume sufficient to mask the irritating bass noise (or as much of it as you can), then you can add ear plugs to reduce the overall volume you hear to a tolerable level. The external white noise will mask as much sound as possible, while the earplugs also help block out the bass. You won't be vibration free, but you may be able to sleep a lot better.

Unfortunately, this combination is the closest I can come to a solution for you. With bone conduction in play - the ability for sound to travel via the bones in your skull - there just isn't much you can do to simply block low-pitched bass vibrations with a single product. But note that many white noise apps are available for free, so it's not an expensive strategy to try out.

One thing I would definitely suggest, though, is to consider getting one of our foam ear plug trial packs so that you can find a plug that gives you the best performance. An ear plug that fits you perfectly will vastly outperform one with a so-so fit (and will be more comfortable to sleep in, too). Just finding the ideal foam ear plug for your ears might be enough to make a big difference.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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How to Sleep with the Neighbor's Dog Barking

Q.

 
Hello, I live in a 1958 constructed apartment building. There is no real sound barrier with the apartment above. I can actually hear a "fart." The problem is that she has dogs - and one bark and I'm awake.

Has there not been something devised that is an actual ear muff device that can be worn while sleeping without all the bulk? Noise reduction that is higher than those foam ear plugs which one can only purchase at 33 decibels. Why can't there be higher foam decibel ear foam protection or something to put over the ears.

I am not interested in ear buds unless they block noise. White noise in my ear - I don't believe I could adapt to that. I need Q-U-I-E-T!

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A.First off, let's look at why earplug noise blocking tops out at 33 decibels. The primary pathway for noise to enter your ear, where it is detected, is via the airway in the ear canal. NRR 33 means that the airway has been completely blocked to all sound. With NRR 33 hearing protection, sound waves can no longer travel through your ear canal to reach your ear drum. The sound blocking is total.

So why, then, can you sometimes still hear with NRR 33 ear plugs in your ears? Well, the ear canal isn't the only path sound waves can take to reach your inner ear. With your ears fully blocked, you can still hear because sound travels to your inner ear via the secondary pathway, the bones in your head. This is called bone conduction, and it's why you cannot get much better than NRR 33 protection from noise.

Now, you can still add muffs over ear plugs and get to about 35-36 NRR total, but unfortunately, that is impractical for your purposes here. No one has yet invented a feasible ear muff for sleeping, to our knowledge. And in this case, unfortunately, even wearing an earmuff over your ear plugs probably will not help you. Wearing ear muffs over ear plugs is called the dual protection method, and it is highly advised for extreme high-noise situations, such as firing at an indoor gun range. However, in your case, the neighbor's dog likely is not barking loud enough to overcome your ear plugs' noise blocking and make dual protection advised. When it comes to dealing with your noisy neighbors, bone conduction is the most likely culprit for why you can still hear the dog barking with your ears blocked, and you unfortunately can't get around that with a higher NRR.

What you want is Q-U-I-E-T - I get it. That's the dream, right? But unfortunately, with the bones in your skull working against your ability to get a good night's sleep, a reasonable simulation of silence will be the best we can do. That is to say, the best solution will most likely turn out to be a combination of ear plugs and a masking sound such as white noise. Disliking the white noise sound is not at all uncommon; the trick is simply to get adjusted to the sound, so your brain will completely ignore it. And this happens automatically with time.

Here is what I would suggest. Find a way to generate a masking sound. You can download a white noise app for free and play it through your phone via a Bluetooth speaker to get better quality sound, or buy a white noise machines, or even tune an AM radio off-station so it generates static - this is all white noise. Whichever sound you choose, turn up the masking sound volume until it masks/covers the noises that are bothering you, like that barking dog. Then add ear plugs to reduce the total volume of all sounds you can hear. The masking sound will be much less present. Along with the masking sound, the plugs will also reduce the annoying sound, with the rest of it masked so you hear little of it - or none of it at all.

The upshot? The combination of a masking noise and ear plugs lets you stop hearing noises that hearing protection alone cannot block out.

What I have found is that a modest level of masking sound raises the threshold of my hearing so that small noises in the night do not wake me nearly as easily. I promise you will quickly get used to the masking sound. Playing it loudly and pairing it with ear plugs is your best bet to block out the barking - but even a little masking noise at night will help greatly. And your brain will start filtering it out in no time.

Here you will find several quality white noise machines. And try our assortment packs to find your most comfortable and effective ear plugs.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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Help with Ear Plug Ear Pain?

Q.I have been using foam ear plugs for about 10 years and never had a problem until a few months ago. One of my ears started to hurt when I woke up in the morning, it can sometimes be excruciating.

I feel like the smart thing to do would be to take some time off from ear plugs, but I honestly cannot sleep without them. I have tried silicone plugs but they hurt just as bad. Do you think custom ear plugs would solve my problem? I am a side sleeper so I feel like anything protruding from my ear exacerbates the problem.

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A.First of all, I would suggest that you do give your ears a rest! There's another good solution you can try.

If the ear plugs you need have been hurting your ears, put down the plugs and use a masking noise instead. White noise can drown out disturbing nighttime noises under a soft blanket of what amounts to the sound of rushing air, a sound your brain ignores so you can sleep. You'll get a very similar benefit as ear plugs in terms of keeping noise from bothering you, but from a different direction. Not everyone will find that white noise is the right solution, but if ear plugs are hurting, you'll have to find another solution - at least for a while, until they get a rest and aren't so tender. Personally, I find the masking sound works well enough that I do not need ear plugs to sleep soundly.

It's easy (and free) to try. You can just download a white noise app and play your choice of sounds through your smart phone. It works better if you have a Bluetooth speaker, which will give you better fidelity sound. If you can't get the full range of audible sound covered, the noise masking is less likely to work, so good speakers really help. If you find that white noise helps (or you'd like your phone free for other purposes), you can get a variety of dedicated little white noise machines to help, of which we offer a few different models. You can get one that simply plays pure white noise, one that has hundreds of programmable sounds, and many models in between.

When and if you do decide to go back to ear plugs, before you spend the money for full custom ear plugs, I would suggest you try a DIY custom ear plug. They are not quite as good as lab made custom plugs, but they are inexpensive enough that you can experiment with size and shape by making a full ear plug, then shaving some off to make it more comfortable to lie on. More importantly, they'll let you test out whether or not professional custom ear plugs might be the right long-term solution for you. If so, the quality, comfort, and durability (they can last for years!) will serve you well.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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How to Sleep with Barking Dogs?

Q.Hello, I live in a 1958 constructed apartment building. There is no real sound barrier with the apartment above. I can actually hear a "fart." The problem is that she has dogs and one bark and I'm awake.

Has there not been something devised that is an actual ear muff device that can be worn while sleeping without all the bulk. Noise reduction that is higher than those foam ear plugs which one can only purchase at 33 decibels. Why can't there be higher foam decibel ear foam protection or something to put over the ears.

I am not interested in ear buds unless they block noise. White noise in my ear I don't believe I could adapt to that. I need Q-U-I-E-T!

-------

A.NRR 33 is a sort of natural limit to how much noise you can block with hearing protection. The primary pathway for noise to enter your ear, where it is detected, is via the airway in the ear canal. NRR 33 means that the airway has been completely blocked to sound. If you can then still hear, it's because sound travels to the inner ear via the secondary pathway, the bones in your head. So, that is why you cannot get much better than NRR 33.

You can add muffs over ear plugs and get to about 35-36 NRR, but that is impractical for sleeping.

The best solution will most likely turn out to be a combination of ear plugs and a masking sound such as white noise. If in-ear white noise isn't an option, than here is what I would suggest. Find a way to generate a masking sound in your bedroom. You can download a white noise app and play it through your phone via a Bluetooth speaker to get better quality sound, or buy a white noise machine, or even tune an AM radio off-station so it generates static (which is white noise.) All of these play sound into your environment, not directly into your ears - so they should hopefully be easier to adapt to. Turn up the masking sound volume until it masks the noises that are bothering you, then add ear plugs to reduce the volume you can hear, and along with the masking sound, the plugs will also reduce the annoying sound, with the rest of it masked so you hear little, or none of it. (The ear plugs should also help with making the white noise less obtrusive!)

What I have found is that a modest level of masking sound raises the threshold of my hearing so that small noises in the night do not wake me nearly as easily. I promise you will quickly get used to the masking sound and even a little of it will help greatly. Your brain will interpret it as exactly the Q-U-I-E-T you need.

Here you will find several quality white noise machines. And you can try our assortment packs to find your most comfortable and effective ear plugs.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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NewSound In-Ear White Noise Machine Review: 2019

From Our Customers - NewSound TI-100 In-Ear White Noise Machine Review:

 

I have terrible Hyperacusis that made everyday noises unbearable. I couldn't even stand the sound of my own voice, and normal conversation literally made my ears ache.

I had tried a few different products before this one, but they didn't help treat the problem, just cut down on noise. Of course, overprotecting can actually make Hyperacusis worse, so I tried a few pairs of acoustic filters for a while. After doing some research and with the recommendation of my Audiologist, I bought a pair of these.

The first couple of days weren't that great. I had to get used to these. But after the first week, I noticed I was able to tolerate normal speech, I was able to carry on a conversation without pain, and I can finally concentrate again.

These are even comfortable enough to sleep in, despite NOT being custom moulded to my ears.

Like some of the other reviewers have said, the volume control is a bit of an unwieldy axe at first.

These literally look like CIC hearing aids when they're in your ears, so if that bothers you, you might want to take that into consideration before you buy.

Other than that, if you're looking for a solid in- ear White Noise Generator with full volume control, these are probably the best option out there.

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For people with tinnitus, hyperacusis, misophonia, and other noise sensitivity issues, in-ear white noise generators can present a solution that no regular earplugs, ear buds, or headphones can offer. Learn more about NewSound and take back control of your own personal audio experience. Adding constant background white noise can provide relief from snoring, too. If you suffer from any of these noise sensitivity problems and would like more information about NewSound, or advice on what other solutions we might have to help you cope with the problematic noise in your daily life, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] for more help.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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What are In-Ear White Noise Generators?

White noise machines - those little desktop gadgets that play pure white noise, or some mix of white noise and other soothing sounds like rain - have become a lot more popular over the past few years. Whether they're planted in a doctor's office to enhance patient privacy or parked on your bedside table for a little nighttime noise-relief, white noise machines can improve our lives in meaningful ways. But carrying a sound generating machine around is impractical; even in the always-plugged-in era, who has time to stop to charge their white noise machine?

In-ear white noise generators were the clear solution. The same size and shape of your normal set of earbud-style earphones, you can almost think of these tiny sound machines like a set of white noise ear plugs. Just put them in your ears and turn them on to get rid of noise. As quickly as that, the noisy world fades away, and you're in your own personal, private bubble of silence.

The Power of Personal Noise

If you sleep with a snoring partner or live with tinnitus (that is, the persistent hissing or ringing in one or both ears), you may already have a good idea how powerful this in-ear white noise can be. Because these little electronic earpieces play a masking noise directly into your eardrums, they wash out all other sound until all your brain "hears" is that sweet, blissful nothing. Too, many of them use memory foam eartips to keep almost all the external noise out of your ear canals anyway, stacking up noise masking on top of the noise blocking (while also incidentally cushioning the plugs comfortably in place in your ears, too).

If you're trying to study, or concentrate on work at a busy office, or sleep near a busy street, a little white noise can be seriously paradigm-shifting. And not only are the in-ear generators easily portable, but you also never have to worry about bothering your co-workers (or roommate, or significant other). You can get a break whenever you need it, no apologies or explanations required.

In-Ear Generators vs White Noise Apps

Of course, you don't have to go with a specialized device to enjoy the perks of white noise delivered straight into your ear canals. With a set of earbud-style headphones and a white noise app - several of which are free and can produce respectable sound quality - you can get a similar effect. But in-ear white noise machines do have a couple of pros that regular headphones can't match: they're wireless, so they can't get tangled up; the white noise they output is full and seamless, with no ads or gaps; and they don't require you to keep a media streaming device with you at all times. If you need a personal white noise bubble for sleeping, especially if you need it every night, in-ear white noise is a better solution; the same applies if you're using the sound to help cope with tinnitus. If you're dealing with a little occasional irritating noise, an app is probably enough for you. But if noise is wrecking your sleep, sanity, or relationships... it may be time to step up to dedicated in-ear white noise.

In-Ear White Noise vs Noise Cancelling Earbuds

One last word to the wise: be careful not to get in-ear white noise generators mixed up with noise cancelling earbuds. Instead of masking external noise with a constant stream of uniform sound, noise cancelling earbuds play an ever-changing audio signal that is the inverse of the sound waves around you, which cancels out the vibrations so that very little sound at all remains to enter your ears. By contrast, white noise increases the amount of sound reaching your ears, but eliminates any useful information your brain can absorb from the sound, causing your brain to begin to ignore it completely. They're two nearly opposite approaches to trying to achieve the same goal: a little peace and quiet.

Both of these types of devices can help you get better control over your auditory environment, but because they're so different, sometimes one is much better-suited to a particular situation than the other. For instance, noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear white noise are about equally effective for sleeping with snoring... but when it comes to dealing with tinnitus, the constant sound signal from in-ear white noise can be extremely helpful, while the quiet created by noise-cancelling earbuds could actually make the ringing in your ears worse! Be sure to get the in-ear device that works correctly for your specific needs.

Want to hear more?

If you're interested in learning more, I recommend taking a look at our In-Ear White Noise Generators, where we are proud to offer two carefully-selected, highly specialized in-ear noise machines: one tailored specifically for sleeping with snoring or other disturbing noise, and one designed to perform especially well for tinnitus masking.

Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.

Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore

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