Noise cancelling headphones! Oh Joy! (and other ways to block sound)

[Evergreen]

If you’re out and about I would seriously consider custom earplugs. I haven’t tried myself because I can’t get out to get the moulds made, but you rarely see people have bad experiences if they pick the right product for the use case.

No, that was over a decade ago. I'm severe. No out and about for me.

I looked into what I think you're talking about before - the ones audiologists make, right? From what I found, they're not what I need. They don't cancel enough noise. But maybe you're talking about something else?

 

[Utsikt]

I looked into what I think you're talking about before - the ones audiologists make, right? From what I found, they're not what I need. They don't cancel enough noise. But maybe you're talking about something else?

Huh, you’re right. They are apparently often sub 30db, while foam can be just above 30db.

 

[Evergreen]

Huh, you’re right. They are apparently often sub 30db, while foam can be just above 30db.

Yeah, the foam ones I use are 33dB. I also read a lot of threads on various different patient sites. I remember people commenting that they still found them uncomfortable and went back to foam.

Materials are likely to have improved since I looked into it, though - I'm not even sure there were silicone ones available at the time. They might have been thermoplastic.

I think if I were mild and still working part-time, I would look into them again. Alas, very far from that.

 

[Chandelier]

I might have found a new favourite disposable earplug.

Honeywell Max Lite /
Howard Leight Max Lite
View attachment 29880

I don’t like wearing disposables because I get pressure points inside my ears and sore spots that can be really painful. So I stick to wax plugs when I don’t need 30 db reduction. I tried these on random and they are by far the most comfortable ones I’ve used.

Very little pressure, very good seal, best noise reduction so far, and they are so soft that there is no pressure when lying on them. I haven’t used them enough to judge long term irritation, but I often forget I’m even wearing them.

They are also used in industry, so you can buy them in bulk for very cheap. Like the equivalent of £0.2 per pair in Norway.

That’s an excellent tip, thank you!
They are by far the best I‘ve tried so far when it comes to showering noises.
It makes the whole procedure about 50% less intense, which is a huge win for me.

 

[BrightCandle]

A subjective review of various noise cancelling headphones including some cheaper models you don't often hear about nor see reviewed.

https://www.techradar.com/audio/headphones/ive-picked-the-best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-all-budgets-based-on-real-world-testing-of-nearly-20-models

 

[hotblack]

That reminds me I saw some pretty cheap ANC headphones at RicherSounds. Sorry can’t recommend any as I can’t use them, but saw them in an email I got and the PowerLocus Moonfly are £39 and Nothing CMF £69.

 

[Yann04]

I might have found a new favourite disposable earplug.

Honeywell Max Lite /
Howard Leight Max Lite
View attachment 29880

I don’t like wearing disposables because I get pressure points inside my ears and sore spots that can be really painful. So I stick to wax plugs when I don’t need 30 db reduction. I tried these on random and they are by far the most comfortable ones I’ve used.

Very little pressure, very good seal, best noise reduction so far, and they are so soft that there is no pressure when lying on them. I haven’t used them enough to judge long term irritation, but I often forget I’m even wearing them.

They are also used in industry, so you can buy them in bulk for very cheap. Like the equivalent of £0.2 per pair in Norway.

Do you have any update on those
— esp r.e. long term irritation.

considering getting some myself to test. Ever since my ear infection that was almost certainly caused by overwearing earplugs I‘m having real trouble getting earplugs to be okay again. I now sleep with ear defenders instead of earplugs. But there are still cases (like leafblowers) where I‘d want ear defenders + earplugs.

I wonder if these are a good idea to try. All the non foam plugs are too hard when i sleep on my side or they dont have good fit.

Obviously not expecting you to magically know if it‘ll work for me. Just curious what your thoughts on them are, now that you‘ve presumably used them long term?

 

[Utsikt]

Do you have any update on those
— esp r.e. long term irritation.

considering getting some myself to test. Ever since my ear infection that was almost certainly caused by overwearing earplugs I‘m having real trouble getting earplugs to be okay again. I now sleep with ear defenders instead of earplugs. But there are still cases (like leafblowers) where I‘d want ear defenders + earplugs.

I wonder if these are a good idea to try. All the non foam plugs are too hard when i sleep on my side or they dont have good fit.

Obviously not expecting you to magically know if it‘ll work for me. Just curious what your thoughts on them are, now that you‘ve presumably used them long term?

Lots of random thoughts:

They are much softer than the ones you get from pharmacies and such. They compress with no effort and I’ve had no issue sleeping with them. There’s no need to break them in, if that makes sense.

The seal can almost be too good sometimes, creating what feels like a weak vacuum. It’s often fixed by just slowly pulling it out slightly or tugging the ear.

I wear them >12 hrs a day.

A couple here and there seem to be a bit off, but I just throw those away because they are cheap.

I have some ear pain that I suspect is actually related to the jaw because I clench when I sleep, but it’s never disrupted my sleep with these plugs.

I do get some discomfort from the plugs at times, but it resolves by going a few hours without them and is not much compared to the other foam plugs I’ve tried.

I think I have ear canals that are on the smaller side and I have never had issues with dry ears.

 

[Yann04]

Lots of random thoughts:

They are much softer than the ones you get from pharmacies and such. They compress with no effort and I’ve had no issue sleeping with them. There’s no need to break them in, if that makes sense.

The seal can almost be too good sometimes, creating what feels like a weak vacuum. It’s often fixed by just slowly pulling it out slightly or tugging the ear.

I wear them >12 hrs a day.

A couple here and there seem to be a bit off, but I just throw those away because they are cheap.

I have some ear pain that I suspect is actually related to the jaw because I clench when I sleep, but it’s never disrupted my sleep with these plugs.

I do get some discomfort from the plugs at times, but it resolves by going a few hours without them and is not much compared to the other foam plugs I’ve tried.

I think I have ear canals that are on the smaller side and I have never had issues with dry ears.

Cheers. Looks like I‘ll throw them in next time I do an online order.

In any case happy you found something that works so well for you.

 

[Chandelier]

I have some ear pain that I suspect is actually related to the jaw because I clench when I sleep, but it’s never disrupted my sleep with these plugs.

In case you haven’t got one, it is so worth it to invest in a good mouth guard.
I‘ve got a custom one for over 10 years now and I couldn’t sleep without it anymore.
Maybe you can find a dentist that makes home visits?
All the dentist would need to produce the mouth guard is to take a dental impression of your teeth.

 

[Utsikt]

In case you haven’t got one, it is so worth it to invest in a good mouth guard.
I‘ve got a custom one for over 10 years now and I couldn’t sleep without it anymore.
Maybe you can find a dentist that makes home visits?
All the dentist would need to produce the mouth guard is to take a dental impression of your teeth.

I hated the one that I had after my braces, but I’ll have to look into these. Thank you for the tip!

 

[Tree]

Do you have any update on those
— esp r.e. long term irritation.

considering getting some myself to test. Ever since my ear infection that was almost certainly caused by overwearing earplugs I‘m having real trouble getting earplugs to be okay again. I now sleep with ear defenders instead of earplugs. But there are still cases (like leafblowers) where I‘d want ear defenders + earplugs.

I wonder if these are a good idea to try. All the non foam plugs are too hard when i sleep on my side or they dont have good fit.

Obviously not expecting you to magically know if it‘ll work for me. Just curious what your thoughts on them are, now that you‘ve presumably used them long term?

. What about the wax ones? Ohrapax or something like that? They are single use I think.

 

[Yann04]

. What about the wax ones? Ohrapax or something like that? They are single use I think.

Never tried tbh? Do you recommend?

 

[Tree]

Never tried tbh? Do you recommend?

I have tried several types and these do not hurt and block sound quite well. Only down side is you have to knead them. Maybe it is enough to just hold them in your hand so they warm up?

 

[Chandelier]

Never tried tbh? Do you recommend?

Stiftung Warentest reviewed some of them and found the Ohropax Gute Nacht to be the best ones:

Overall, the best ratings go to so‑called pre‑ear plugs: moldable little balls that can be shaped by kneading and completely seal the ear canal.
This principle works particularly well because the noise protection is independent of the ear’s anatomy.
The test winner, with an overall score of 1.9, is the Ohropax “Gute Nacht” made of silicone.
“Especially good insulation of higher frequencies, such as the high‑pitched components of snoring as well as sawing and drilling noises,” the testers note.
The Ohropax are particularly suitable for sleeping. Source

I tried them but they weren’t that helpful against construction site or showering noises.
The Honey Well Maxlite are amazing at blocking out noise.
The only possible downside is that you have to put them deep into your ear canal.

 

[Tree]

Stiftung Warentest reviewed some of them and found the Ohropax Gute Nacht to be the best ones:

I tried them but they weren’t that helpful against construction site or showering noises.
The Honey Well Maxlite are amazing at blocking out noise.
The only possible downside is that you have to put them deep into your ear canal.

I have only used the wax ohropax ones (the classic ones). Oh and I see I now have the Otalgan wax ones. Seem the same kind.

 

[Chandelier]

I hated the one that I had after my braces

Interesting, my custom ones are so comfortable that I often times forget that I‘m wearing them.
My biggest fear without them would be that I could damage my teeth during the night.
Having to go to the dentist for a longer procedure with ME/CFS is how my worst nightmares look like.

 

[Utsikt]

Interesting, my custom ones are so comfortable that I often times forget that I‘m wearing them.
My biggest fear without them would be that I could damage my teeth during the night.
Having to go to the dentist for a longer procedure with ME/CFS is how my worst nightmares look like.

My teeth still move for some reason, that might be why. My dentist is very considerate, but the travel is a nightmare. I have some chips already, but nothing they want to do anything about.

 

[Chandelier]

My teeth still move for some reason, that might be why. My dentist is very considerate, but the travel is a nightmare. I have some chips already, but nothing they want to do anything about.

Yeah, I would try to avoid the visit in your situation.
Maybe it’s possible to find a dentist in Norway that offers home visits for the task of taking the imprint?
They could then send the model of your teeth/imprint to your actual dentist for the mouth guard production.
In the worst case scenario the mouth guard wouldn’t fit perfectly at first without slight modifications but that should be easily fixable by the other dentist at your bed.

I think it’s worth inquiring why the previous mouth guard was so inconvenient for you.
From what I understand, my mouth guard keeps my teeth from moving.
There are also specialized ones to straighten teeth that can hurt due to the forces that are being applied.

 

[Felis Catus]

I might have found a new favourite disposable earplug.

Honeywell Max Lite /
Howard Leight Max Lite
View attachment 29880

I bought them based on the forum recommendations and they've transformed my sleep although I bought them to use primarily during the day and sometimes during the night (if the windows are open).

I didn't realise minor sounds were affecting my sleep so much. With the earplugs I get 10-11 hours of good sleep. Without them, my sleep is very fragmented and I end up wide awake after 7-9h.