ear plugs for sleeping

[Luke Warm]

i need ear plugs to sleep as every little noise keeps me awake. i've been using the little foam plugs and the cut out pretty much all noise and i sleep like a rock but after a few days my ears really start hurting. i also feel like i'm getting a sore throat from wearing them every night. any suggestions for some ergonomic ear plugs that are not too spendy? thanks.

[GuitarStv]

I haven't found any ear plugs designed for multiple use that work well and are comfortable enough to use for sleeping at night.  Using single use ear plugs for too long will cause pain in your ear (and possibly ear infections).  Technically you're only supposed to use them once, then throw them away . . . but that's hella wasteful.  I use the blue foam 'Hearos' brand ones (you can get a huge box of them for pretty cheap on Amazon) and replace the pair every week which seems to minimize the ear pain.  Everyone's ears will be different though, so I suggest trying out as many different types of ear plugs as you can to find ones that are most comfortable for you.

[OtherJen]

I haven’t found ear plugs that don’t cause pain after a few nights. Fortunately for me, husband’s CPAP machine stopped the snoring so I don’t need the ear plugs so much.

I’ve noticed that white noise, like a fan on low, can buffer the background noises enough that I don’t notice them. You might consider trying that. Once your brain gets used to the fan noise, it might relax.

[big_owl]

I use mine daily motorcycling and I've tried most disposable kinds over the years. Then finally I spent $125 and had custom ones made up, world of difference.  Idk how they would be for sleeping 8 hours but I notice no soreness after 2-3 hours on the bike. One thing that is helpful is that they are recessed in the ears so if you're a side sleeper then it would be more comfortable.

[HPstache]

Have you considered a sound machine or white noise generator?  You can get one that does all sorts of different sounds.  It's kind of the opposite of what you're asking for but it could drown out all the distracting noises.

[Kris]

These are the ones I use. I also have struggled with pain, but I've managed to get used to them and I'm fine with them now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051U7W32

One thing I tried to do for a while was to cut them in half, then cut smaller notches in them, to fit them more to the size of my (small) ear canals.

[ysette9]

I wear earplugs every night now that we have a new baby in the house. I have no trouble with the cheap Target foam ones but my mother can’t wear them. As others have said, i think different ear shapes mean different experiences.

One thing I like to do is put two pillows right next to each other and sleep with my head in the “butt crack” of the pillows. It is nicer on my neck but it also means I have a pillow smashed up against each ear. Could you try that instead?

[Luke Warm]

I use mine daily motorcycling and I've tried most disposable kinds over the years. Then finally I spent $125 and had custom ones made up, world of difference.  Idk how they would be for sleeping 8 hours but I notice no soreness after 2-3 hours on the bike. One thing that is helpful is that they are recessed in the ears so if you're a side sleeper then it would be more comfortable.

did you have to go to an doctor to get those or is there some self mold-able ones available?

[Luke Warm]

I wear earplugs every night now that we have a new baby in the house. I have no trouble with the cheap Target foam ones but my mother can’t wear them. As others have said, i think different ear shapes mean different experiences.

One thing I like to do is put two pillows right next to each other and sleep with my head in the “butt crack” of the pillows. It is nicer on my neck but it also means I have a pillow smashed up against each ear. Could you try that instead?

i've tried the pillow thing but at some point in the night they get moved.

[Luke Warm]

Have you considered a sound machine or white noise generator?  You can get one that does all sorts of different sounds.  It's kind of the opposite of what you're asking for but it could drown out all the distracting noises.

i keep a fan running but it's not very loud. a white noise generator might work. i think i can get one on my phone.

[MrMoogle]

Here's what I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EPQ3H4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I generally use a pair for 2 weeks, so this is basically a year's worth.  I've never had ear pain or an infection since using them about 4 years ago, also after getting a motorcycle and needing them for that.  After about 2 weeks, they lose their springy-ness, and don't stay in the whole night.

ymmv

[ysette9]

I wear earplugs every night now that we have a new baby in the house. I have no trouble with the cheap Target foam ones but my mother can’t wear them. As others have said, i think different ear shapes mean different experiences.

One thing I like to do is put two pillows right next to each other and sleep with my head in the “butt crack” of the pillows. It is nicer on my neck but it also means I have a pillow smashed up against each ear. Could you try that instead?

i've tried the pillow thing but at some point in the night they get moved.

It boggles my mind that there are people who go to sleep and stay that way the entire night. I’m lucky if I only wake and get up twice a night.

[middo]

I also use earplugs for motorcycling.  They get a minimum of 2 hours a day in the ears, and last holidays were regularly in my ears for over 10 hours a day.  I use these https://www.bunnings.com.au/protector-surefit-ear-plugs-canister-100-pack_p5820597 , which is an Australian reference.  They fit my slightly narrower ear canals a bit easier than others.

I did get sore ears when using them for 10+ hours a day.  It took about 6 days before they started to hurt, but then slowly became a full on ear ache needing pain killers.  I asked my daughter (doctor) about it and she said that it was most likely caused by small amounts of grit getting on the ear plugs and hurting the inside of the ear canal as they were put in and pulled out.  This causes the localised swelling.  I had no infections, just inflammation.

Fresh ear plugs every time you use them will minimise this issue, but seems such a waste.  I normally wait until they turn a bit "yuck" from my ear wax before throwing them out (about a week of usage). 

I would suggest getting your ears checked for inflammation or infection, and maybe try other plugs from there if there is no infection.

[LonerMatt]

Hey,

I am an awful sleeper, I did ear plugs for years.

You know what works better? This: https://www.sleepsolutions.com.au/marpac-dohm-ds-white-classic-natural-white-noise-machine?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiILsBRCGARIsAHKQWLP5RBfF0xVfv8JRbrhx_-5x46VuivY0aAOKF2QVT7PjvQ20QFih0gsaApItEALw_wcB

This machine is the best thing I have ever bought. It works perfectly and night after night I sleep well undisturbed by sounds. Don't cheap out on a phone app or some shit - this thing is (per use) not very expensive and will make things better. How it works is generating white noise that you can 'tun' to a frequency and volume. That sound is then something that drowns things out but is equally what you're paying attention to.

Seriously dude I've been a shitty sleeper since I was 16, doing ear plugs till I was 27 - 11 years of the wrong choice. I should have bought one of these when i was 16 and enjoyed better sleep for the decade I missed.

No fucking ear plugs falling out, getting lost, dirty or ear infections - who wants to deal with that?

[Dollar Slice]

I have been wearing these all night every night for over ten years. No irritation, infections, discomfort, etc. Some of the really soft ones irritate my ears (I guess something in the material disagrees with my skin). These are firmer at room temperature, but are much more comfortable for me. They soften when warm, like memory foam. And make sure you're putting them in correctly: roll between fingers until squished, then insert fully so they're not sticking out and rubbing against your pillow. I'm always seeing people just shoving them into their ears and I think that's a good way to irritate your ear canals and get wax impacted.

I also have custom earplugs (they were $150 including the audiologist appointment, but YMMV) but think the foam ones are more comfortable and block noise better.

[MasterStache]

Have you considered a sound machine or white noise generator?  You can get one that does all sorts of different sounds.  It's kind of the opposite of what you're asking for but it could drown out all the distracting noises.

i keep a fan running but it's not very loud. a white noise generator might work. i think i can get one on my phone.

+1

We have a (Miami) sound machine in each bedroom. Since we all go to bed at different times and wake up at different times they work well. Plus we live in a ranch house with hardwood floors throughout. Every little noise echos down the hallway into the bedrooms.

[anotherAlias]

I used to have pain from the regular foam ear plugs until I found these.  They are comfortable and block out all but the worst  of my boyfriend's snoring.

https://amzn.to/30HgdgL

[caffeine]

Give these a shot: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZGBL93/

[Just Joe]

Have you considered a sound machine or white noise generator?  You can get one that does all sorts of different sounds.  It's kind of the opposite of what you're asking for but it could drown out all the distracting noises.

i keep a fan running but it's not very loud. a white noise generator might work. i think i can get one on my phone.

Go for a higher speed. Place it closer to your bed and perhaps aimed away from you if you get cold. I run a fan every night. I can sleep without it but it helps. I'm on "guard duty" all night otherwise. I'm a "hot" sleeper so I welcome the moving air. DW likes to sleep under a blanket so she is happy too.