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Original poster

Noise Reducing Ear Plugs - Do they really work?

27 replies

KittensandPerverts · 20/12/2023 18:27

I really want to treat myself with some Amazon vouchers that are coming my way for Christmas but the online reviews are so mixed. While there are loads of 5 star reviews, raving in detail about how well they work everywhere from concerts to train journeys there are just as many saying they're nothing more than a gimmick. I really want to buy them though...if they work. Does anyone have any experience of using them?

OP posts:
Smindento · 20/12/2023 18:30

I have spme and I couldn’t go without them now l, really helps take the edge off and more discrete than the overhead ones i used to use.

SgtJuneAckland · 20/12/2023 18:32

Are they comfortable and are they completely noise cancelling? I am married to a snorer

StoorieHoose · 20/12/2023 18:34

SgtJuneAckland · 20/12/2023 18:32

Are they comfortable and are they completely noise cancelling? I am married to a snorer

You need Loop Quiet ones and a sleep headband, Bluetoothed to your phone with brown noise on a loop

(Voice of experience)

SgtJuneAckland · 20/12/2023 18:37

@StoorieHoose I have a sleep headband but find it comes off in the night, I will try the brown noise in my earbuds though, I'm currently using pixel buds which are great but not to sleep in

Rodders92 · 20/12/2023 18:38

They work to some extent , I’ve tried lots of different types and for me the best are the wax ones that you warm in your hand and mould to shape. They will dampen a lot of background noise but only reduce by 20+ decibels

Original poster
KittensandPerverts · 20/12/2023 18:46

Thanks all. I don't need them at night - more for during the day when commuting.

OP posts:
iWontWarmToThat · 20/12/2023 18:49

I have some Loop noise reducing ones and they really help me. I'm autistic and sometimes my 4yo can be a little loud so if I'm feeling overstimulated I'll pop them in - I can still hear her but it's far less triggering to my autism.

Shf · 20/12/2023 18:51

My autistic 11yo finds them an absolute lifesaver at school. She says you can still hear if the teachers says something, but they just muffle and smooth the background noise.

redpepperchilli · 20/12/2023 18:57

No

Perihelion · 20/12/2023 19:02

How does a sleep headband with Bluetooth work, if I use my phone as an alarm. Will the alarm come from the phone or the headband?

JustPurple · 20/12/2023 19:32

I found they do work with some of the hum in the background.

However, if you will need to talk, they're not ideal. You can hear your voice too loud I. Your head and its unsettling.

StoorieHoose · 20/12/2023 19:33

SgtJuneAckland · 20/12/2023 18:37

@StoorieHoose I have a sleep headband but find it comes off in the night, I will try the brown noise in my earbuds though, I'm currently using pixel buds which are great but not to sleep in

Mines does too but I've found using a couple of Kirby grips and a fold in the headband tightens it up a bit

StoorieHoose · 20/12/2023 19:34

Perihelion · 20/12/2023 19:02

How does a sleep headband with Bluetooth work, if I use my phone as an alarm. Will the alarm come from the phone or the headband?

It comes through the phone rather than the headband

Catsmere · 20/12/2023 20:21

I use Alpine Deep Sleep reusable ones, made from silicone. I haven't used trains for years but they'd be perfect for that (in those days I used foam ones).

FictionalCharacter · 20/12/2023 20:24

Loop earplugs definitely work.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 20/12/2023 20:24

DD is on the waiting list for an autism assessment, she uses Loop earplugs to help her survive a noisy secondary school.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 20/12/2023 20:29

Noise reducing or noise cancelling headphones? I have both and they do achieve different things.
for noise reduction I use flare calmers, which ‘smooth’ the noise but allow you to hear. Or I use aftershokz headphones instead if I want music. Both allow you to still hear what’s going on around you. Could use them together or separately entirely up to the individual.
I have some ‘cheap’ £50 noise cancelling earbuds of amazon, which you can sleep in. Absolutely fabulous to immerse yourself in music / streaming a show and you don’t want to be disturbed at all. Can use them without sound as earplugs if you want - but I like something to mask my tinnitus.

Catsmere · 20/12/2023 20:34

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 20/12/2023 20:29

Noise reducing or noise cancelling headphones? I have both and they do achieve different things.
for noise reduction I use flare calmers, which ‘smooth’ the noise but allow you to hear. Or I use aftershokz headphones instead if I want music. Both allow you to still hear what’s going on around you. Could use them together or separately entirely up to the individual.
I have some ‘cheap’ £50 noise cancelling earbuds of amazon, which you can sleep in. Absolutely fabulous to immerse yourself in music / streaming a show and you don’t want to be disturbed at all. Can use them without sound as earplugs if you want - but I like something to mask my tinnitus.

Ah, I was just reading about the Flare for the first time a moment ago! Are they good for reducing irritating outside noise during the day? (Thin-walled units in my retirement village and people have their radios/televisions on all day). I have Alpine Deep Sleep but you can't really converse with those.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 20/12/2023 20:44

@catsmere I find that smooth the noise, so take out the jarring frequencies. I bought them due to having two 24/7 yappy small dogs next door (terrace). Was still aware of them but the sharpness of the sound went. Meant I got a decent
night sleep.
I use them a lot at work - laundry machinery again to take the edge of the low rumbling sounds of tumble dryers and the high pitched whiz of the spin cycle. The noise doesn’t quite tip into requiring noise defenders as ppe. Plus I still need to talk to students and colleagues - which I can, big bonus is that they cannot be seen by anyone so no snarky comments from colleagues. I also use them walking into town which is along a main road often jammed with vehicles and very uncomfortable noise wise on my ears.
I find they are very comfortable and don’t fall out. I have very narrow ear canals according to my audiologist.
They don’t block out all the noise. They do sometimes come on offer for short periods, so might be worth going on the mailing list. (I have three pairs so must like them - so I can have a pair in the house/bag/car).

Original poster
KittensandPerverts · 20/12/2023 20:46

I'm going to have a look at Flare and Loop!

OP posts:
Catsmere · 20/12/2023 21:03

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 thank you! They may be just what I need for the irritating, but not loud, scritch-scritch-scritch of radios etc from a few units away. Save electricity, too, if I don't need to have my white noise machine on all day!

I'm in Australia, so have ordered through EarJobs - sadly I don't think they do trial offers.

DisneyDisneyDisney · 20/12/2023 21:07

unfortunately, loop ones don’t work.

tinkerbellvspredator · 20/12/2023 21:07

My young DC chooses to wear the Flare Calmer at school after trying them - if there was no benefit I'm sure he wouldn't bother

Mabelface · 20/12/2023 21:14

I like my loop quiet ones, but for commuting, I'd recommend getting a decent pair of active noise cancelling headphones. Over ear seem to work better than in ear ones.

Catsmere · 20/12/2023 21:24

I tried noise cancelling headphones when I commuted, but found I needed earplugs with them. They just didn't block the noise adequately. (Hopefully the technology has improved since then.)