Best earplugs for neighbour noise… please HELP

[anonuser19]

I am losing my mind. The neighbours above me are so ridiculously noisy. I live in a new build and they STOMP around so much. They have a 3 year old kid too who runs around ALL OF THE TIME.

It’s really impacting my quality of life.

In the meantime, I want to try some decent earplugs. What are the best ones out there? I need help badly.

Anyone??

The wax earplugs from Boots are the best.

The wax earplugs won't work and shouldn't be used over a long term as they could cause infection. In fact most earplugs should be used only short term for this reason.

I have the JBL 600 headphones with noise cancelling but tbh although these are quite good I still hear noise especially that which causes vibration such as slamming doors, etc.

I notice a lot of people in previous threads about noise quite often suggest earplugs/noise cancelling headphones but I don't think there any (I have tried many!) that actually completely cancel out every noise, particularly vibration and anyway they are only (particularly earplugs) to be used temporarily. I ended up with an infection and tinnitus from using earplugs for too long. I still use my headphones and whilst they are better I certainly can't sleep with them on and I can still hear the vibration from downstairs they're still a pita having to charge them, etc. Have listened to a lot of interesting podcasts tho (for distraction) that I may never have otherwise discovered.

Sorry, I haven't been much help, I can only sympathise.

So I shouldn’t try the wax ones then?

You could try bose earbuds and play white noise which I find is enormously effective at blocking out most noise.
I live on a very noisy street and sleep well with them in.
I have tried all sorts of earplugs and none worked well enough.

Is there a Landlord? Speak to environmental health. I know that between 7am - 11pm there's no real restrictions on noise. However there are limits! You have a right to quiet enjoyment of your home. They have a right to live their life too, but have to be considerate of others whilst in a flat. Are they approachable? They may not be aware they're even bothering anyone

I’ve been using wax earplugs for nearly 30 years and never had an infection.

No, the wax earplugs will definitely not work for what you are describing and they will fall out numerous times! And probably give you an earache.

Have you used them continously tho 24/7?

The 3m yellow foam ones are my lifesavers. Squinch them up into a really narrow cylinder and push them in as far as you feel is safe. I can't sleep without them now.

I use Happy Ears silicone earplugs (for DH’s snoring) and get on well with them. I tried foam ones, wax ones and other silicone ones before settling on these about a year ago. They sell a pack of three different sized ones and you can work out which ones fit you best (I’ve got medium ears, apparently!) - so when I reorder them I only need to get one pair rather than all three. I can’t remember exactly how much they are, but it’s something like £15-£25 for the pack (less for subsequent pairs) and my first pair lasted me well over six months with nightly use. I wash them every few days in warm soapy water and leave them to dry naturally.

No, wax earplugs will not cancel out vibration noise but, of course, the OP is free to try.

I use silicone ones from home bargains. they’re less than £3 with four pairs or so. They never fall out when i’m uptight

White noise. I play rainforest and storm at sea on a loop. It is very effective.

I only use the wax ones at night. They would keep falling out during the day. Maybe try white noise or music as a distraction. I've had noisy neighbours in the past, so I feel for you.

Hi OP - I actually have several sets. I use the bose in ear sleep ones for night time and they’re a life saver. I then also have the loop ones that muffle sound, but that’s more for concentrating in the office so may not be enough. Cheapy in ear foam ones (packet of 50 off Amazon) also work, and you don’t have to be too concerned about ear infections as you can change them often. I then have over the ear bose noise cancelling headphones. It is easier to concentrate on something (as PP have said) rather than just try to get back to absolute silence, so headphones for tv etc may be the solution

I am really sensitive to noise and also have really small ear canals. I've always found disposable foam ones to be the best at really blocking out sound as long as you insert them correctly. Nothing will totally block out stomping though I'm afraid

I’ve been using wax earplugs every night for 3 years with no issues.

I use Loop Quiet. About £19.95 on Amazon but sometimes on a deal. Nice and soft but blocks out enough noise for me to sleep soundly all night. I can't sleep without them now.