Effective earplugs

ceridwen

Does anyone know where I can get some effective earplugs please? I've got those foam-y ones - but they only muffle the sound VERY slightly (say a 1 in 10 factor). I want ones that at least darn nearly block out all external sound.

I keep my house very quiet - but sometimes noise comes in from neighbours or the neighbourhood at a time when I particularly need silence - reading/meditating/sleeping - and I need a way to block it out totally. I like "natural" noise - birds/weather/etc - but planes/neighbours noise/fireworks arent wanted chez ceridwen:cool:

Thanks!

McKneff

Might i suggest when you meditate etc that you use earphones and listen to a CD with birds/weather/ etc.

I used ear plugs, the little yellow ones for a few months at night and for
the next few months during the day suffered from the most terrible tinnitus. Maybe you are just going to use them for short periods so i would suggest the little yellow ones, pinch them up in your fingers until they are compacted and then put them in your ears. Worked for me.

When i went to the docs with my ears, he said you should never put anything in your ears that is smaller than you elbow.

pillypilla

I totally recommend the orange ones from Superdrug, about £1.59. I'm such a light sleeper, even my boyfriend's breathing keeps me awake!, so these are the only ones that work for me. Never had any problems.

nappentass

If you have a motorbike shop in your area then you will probably find decent quantities of earplugs fairly cheaply, and you may even be able to get samples to try out, or if you have a biking friend they're often given away at shows.. Personally I preferred the shaped ones more comfortable.
Now we have had earplugs made to measure to use as earphones on the bike with our comm system.
Also you can get noise cancelling headphones (I have some Bose one that are very effective) but that's not a cheap option!
HTH
Jill

brokeinwales

I used to work for the Fire Brigade - the plugs they proved firefighters with are the only thing I ever found to block out my other half's snoring.
If you don't know anyone in the fire service, I think you can buy those type of plugs from suppliers of industry health and safety equipment (there's a lot of them about, most operate on a local basis - if you know a plumber, builder etc you may be able to order via their account.)

billieboy_2

I always use the wax ones (think they are called wax malleable ear plugs) from Boots. I use half in each ear. Have used them for years.

ceridwen

Thanks all for replies. thanks also to the one that came through as a P.M. I've been chasing up all day to that firm mentioned in the P.M. - and hopefully will be able to get them to respond somewhere along the line to my increasingly frustrated ansafone messages to please phone me urgently.......as I've seen some on their website that I think might fit the bill.

Will investigate re noise cancelling headphones - errr......any idea where I'd get them from and how much they cost purlease?

Hmmm....firefighters ones....hmmm....thinks: might try looking up to see what I can find on health and safety equipment for firms and if I can get any that way....

Thanks again - all further suggestions and suitable firms supplying earplugs welcome.....

annie2005

Personally I can recommend http://www.audiorelief.co.uk they do a trial pack of three sizes of plugs so as to get the proper fit. Have never looked back since making the move to these.

They do offer a made to measure service as well but the others were so good that I never bothered.

However for literally industrial strength ear plugs http://www.protecdirect.co.uk/ are good. They supply to the building industry and the public. Having the decibel rating on many of their plugs and are very helpful over the phone. We actually use them for nursing supplies as they are good value in bulk. :beer:

kitschkitty

Hmm, this is a really interesting post. Occasionally my neighbours starts playing very load music through the small hours and the bass drives me crazy, to the point that I now have such an issue with it, I swear I can feel my blood pressure rising and my stress levels hit the roof as soon as it starts. I would love to find some earplugs that can cut out all the bass through the walls/floor as well as thew shouting and laughing etc.

Also I noticed some pressure reducing earplugs in one of those links, must mention it to my dad, as every year when he goes on holiday he suffers terribly on the plane.

frames1_uk

I've worn ear plugs every night for at least the last 12 years, I only wish I'd thought of it long before that. I used the yellow spongy ones, haven't had to buy any yet, as my brother and ex husband got me loads from the RAF, but I've done a search online just in case and there are plenty around to buy in bulk sizes (thank god!)

Running_Horse

One alternative for noise where I work are covers which look like the old earphones you got for stereos. They are very effective, but the weight might be too noticable.

I wear earplugs to sleep during the day when working nights. They might not be 100%, but do cut out enough to make a difference. It is possible to train yourself to block out distracting noises (for example when studying in a noisy house).