Earplugs

B0bbyEwing

I'm hoping someone reading this has tried the earplugs I've got as well as others & can offer some feedback.

So we got ear plugs when our neighbours moved in because they were pretty inconsiderate people for a good while - example being karaoke at like 3-4am & since our house setup means our living rooms & bedrooms join, you could hear it all clear as day. She is also an extremely loud person anyway. At times when they've had a lot of people round (say 10+), without even trying for it she can be identified above them all very easily. 

So what I'm saying is - earplugs were a must.

And for the most part they'd do their job. The only thing is, if I'd put them in as I get to bed (which I'd have to do if they're already making a noise (vs if they're pretty quiet but then make a noise AFTER I've gone to bed)) come somewhere around 2am-3am they'd start hurting my ears & I'd have to take them out.

These ones: https://www.superdrug.com/health/first-aid/ear-plugs/superdrug-earplugs-20-pairs/p/771491

I read one of the reviews saying they don't block any noise at all. That's not true (IMO) - they do ... they just end up hurting my ears after a while.

I've tried a different type of earplug too - where you just sort of put it in your ear but it doesn't go IN your ear if you get me? As in it doesn't go IN like those foam ones do. Anyway, that type of earplug was total crap. Blocked absolutely diddly squat.

Well, since now they  have a baby I'm looking for a good set of earplugs that don't hurt the ears after a while (since it's going to be cheaper than looking for a detached house to move to).

Over to you.

Richard1212

I have used ear plugs on long haul flights , both the foam variety on your link, and also a different type made of a rubbery substance. You are right-----they work !  And I have never had any soreness from such short -term use. But a friend of mine who used them for long periods was left with sore ears and a constant itchy feeling in the ear that drove her mad----and it didn't go away until she went to see a doctor and got a prescription ear drop. So they aren't a solution for you. 

Your solution, IMO, is to complain to the environmental health dept of your local authority. I can assure you that the noise you have described is DEFINITELY classed as unacceptable and that action is usually pretty good when it comes to environmental heath officers. Good luck.

Spoonie_Turtle

I have these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077NBSPJJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Now, I am not recommending them for you since they don't block noise, only quieten it, but showing you for the style because they are *ridiculously* comfortable.  If my ears didn't itch after a while (nothing to do with the earplugs, it's just my skin being awkward) I genuinely would forget I was wearing them.

For blocking noise, I have Peltor earmuffs … they're not comfortable for sleeping though unless you have a soft pillow or you don't sleep on your side, and after a few hours they can feel uncomfortably tight.  So I'm not really recommending those either for your situation, just putting it out there for anyone else reading the thread looking for effective sound blocking.

Not moneysaving and I've not properly tried them for sleeping (for fear of damaging the band - I'm a side sleeper with a firm pillow, though if I doze on my back they're super comfortable) the noise cancelling on Sony WH-1000MX4 is great.  They do still allow direct speech though so they might bot do the full job you're looking for.  Playing some white noise or other soothing sound would block out speech, but depends on whether you would be able to sleep like that - and again, I must emphasise they are not cheap.  A fantastic investment for my own sanity and health, but I recognise it is a privilege to be able to afford them.

molerat

My preference for general purpose is these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-ClassicTM-Earplugs-PP01002-Pillowpack/dp/B00I16YWJU

A soft very open foam.

B0bbyEwing

Richard1212 said:

I have used ear plugs on long haul flights , both the foam variety on your link, and also a different type made of a rubbery substance. You are right-----they work !  And I have never had any soreness from such short -term use. But a friend of mine who used them for long periods was left with sore ears and a constant itchy feeling in the ear that drove her mad----and it didn't go away until she went to see a doctor and got a prescription ear drop. So they aren't a solution for you. 

When I went to ENT one time, I mentioned the earplugs. I can't remember how they came up but they did. Probably because I felt it maybe compacted my wax. The ENT guy got pretty shirty saying I shouldn't use earplugs. 
No problem then pal - instead of treating my ears, someone else will be treating me for sleep deprivation! (Their noise was quite bad around that time - but it has improved since then I must admit).

Richard1212 said:

Your solution, IMO, is to complain to the environmental health dept of your local authority. I can assure you that the noise you have described is DEFINITELY classed as unacceptable and that action is usually pretty good when it comes to environmental heath officers. Good luck.

TBH I don't like confrontation. People will say you should speak to them first but I can't bring myself to initiate confrontation. I can retaliate no problem but initiating isn't me. 

At the end of the day you have to be neighbours (for the time being) & reporting will inevitably cause aggro. Early on they would cause a lot of noise, especially Fri-Sat. It was a huge factor in my wife's anxiety & later depression getting so bad where she caved in & went on medication (not the sort who insta-jumps to meds - she actually tries to not take them for anything) but they have generally been ok for some time now.

They can't control when a baby is going to scream the house down but at the same time whether it can be controlled or not is kind of irrelevant - it'll keep us up at night.

Spoonie_Turtle said:

I have these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077NBSPJJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Now, I am not recommending them for you since they don't block noise, only quieten it, but showing you for the style because they are *ridiculously* comfortable.  If my ears didn't itch after a while (nothing to do with the earplugs, it's just my skin being awkward) I genuinely would forget I was wearing them.

Yeah I get terribly itchy ears after a while with mine.

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Playing some white noise or other soothing sound would block out speech, but depends on whether you would be able to sleep like that - and again, I must emphasise they are not cheap.  A fantastic investment for my own sanity and health, but I recognise it is a privilege to be able to afford them.

Funny you say that - my wife actually got a white noise machine because of them next door & found she could get to sleep easier as she could focus on that instead of focusing on are they making any noise (because that's how it eventually got - they wouldn't even have to make noise, you'd just find yourself listening, waiting .... are they, was that them, purely because of how they were).

But then that's only good for so much. Works fine for them talking for example. 

molerat said:

My preference for general purpose is these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-ClassicTM-Earplugs-PP01002-Pillowpack/dp/B00I16YWJU

A soft very open foam.

Do they insert right IN to your ear like the ones I linked to? I see they're cylindrical and not cone shaped so I'm wondering if their design may be better or not. 



What I am considering is contacting a sound proofing company. I don't know how good it is but I saw a system on YouTube a while ago where IIRC a guy who plays the drums did it to stop HIS noise going next door & said how good the system worked. 
We have the added issue of our house being tanked so a sound proofing system would have to be able to work alongside that. 
As I'm not a naturally trusting person of anyone trying to sell anything, my concern is that it'll cost the earth for minimal difference, but will be one of those things where you'll not know until it's installed, but by then it's too late - you've paid for it.

tacpot12

My partner struggles with any noise, and uses these Howard Leight Laser Lite from Sense - 20 Pairs Soft Foam Ear Plugs - 35db SNR Earplugs for Sleeping, Travel, Concerts, Studying, Work, Loud Noise. : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

I also use them on long-flights or if there is too much noise. They are very soft, but I find that they aren't as comfortable in the ear that I sleep on (I tend to sleep on my side). They insert into the ear. I find them more comfortable than both the style that you have been using and the cylindrical 3M ones.

B0bbyEwing

tacpot12 said:

My partner struggles with any noise, and uses these Howard Leight Laser Lite from Sense - 20 Pairs Soft Foam Ear Plugs - 35db SNR Earplugs for Sleeping, Travel, Concerts, Studying, Work, Loud Noise. : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

I also use them on long-flights or if there is too much noise. They are very soft, but I find that they aren't as comfortable in the ear that I sleep on (I tend to sleep on my side). They insert into the ear. I find them more comfortable than both the style that you have been using and the cylindrical 3M ones.

At £4 it's worth a punt.

pmduk

i use these, https://www.boots.com/ProductDisplay?productId=1129526&langId=-1&storeId=11352&catalogId=28501

Nile

tacpot12 said:

My partner struggles with any noise, and uses these Howard Leight Laser Lite from Sense - 20 Pairs Soft Foam Ear Plugs - 35db SNR Earplugs for Sleeping, Travel, Concerts, Studying, Work, Loud Noise. : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

I also use them on long-flights or if there is too much noise. They are very soft, but I find that they aren't as comfortable in the ear that I sleep on (I tend to sleep on my side). They insert into the ear. I find them more comfortable than both the style that you have been using and the cylindrical 3M ones.

I use these Honeywell Howard Leight Laser Lite Disposable Earplugs. If you buy the small pack and like them, Amazon have a special price of £16.14 for a pack of 200 at the moment:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeywell-1013047-Howard-Leight-Laser-Lite/dp/B01M4R0YFP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3MKRT7H8QBRM8&keywords=Howard+Leight+Laser+Lite+soft+foam+earplugs&qid=1701124747&s=diy&sprefix=howard+leight+laser+lite+soft+foam+earplugs,diy,108&sr=1-4

I have good hearing and find that car noises as people set off for work in the morning will wake me up. If I put these ear plugs in, I'll sleep through even the very noisy bin collection crews...........bliss.