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Original poster

Please, please, PLEASE give me your best earplug recommendations

51 replies

JMSA · 31/07/2023 11:51

I have 3 daughters. Eldest diagnosed with autism and misophonia. I think my middle definitely has misophonia, as her noise sensitivity is through the roof. As an example, she can hear the mouse plug-in sonic deterrent that I switch on at our place, whenever I hear mouse activity (fairly common in the city where we live). Middle shares a bedroom - albeit a very large one - with her younger sister. My heart goes out to her as she is really struggling with that. Last night I slept on the sofa so that she could have an uninterrupted sleep in my bed.
That can't work long-term though, and I'm desperate to find a noise cancelling solution for her.
Please can anyone recommend an earplug suitable for long-term use. My eldest's misophonia has eased off a bit now that she's out of the teen years, but we did try the Flare Audio earplugs. She didn't get on with them at all, as they still allow some of the sound in, just in a more muted way.
Would love to hear your suggestions please. My eldest is likely to leave home in the next year, so at least then the teens will be able to have their own rooms. Until then, life isn't easy!
Thank you Smile

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 01/08/2023 09:31

I use Loop. I like that they're very discreet and almost fashionable.

DD, who struggles with misophonia, plays music constantly through AirPods. I've only just discovered she listens to a short clip of music (about two bars) over and over again to keep her calm.

DontStealTheTeddy · 01/08/2023 09:37

OP why not try a sample pack to see which work best. One thing to bear in mind is that some people's ear canals are quite small, so some of the non mouldable ones might be uncomfortable. The women's pack from here is great:

ttps://www.snorestore.co.uk/acatalog/sleep-snore-earplugs-sample-packs.html

It's a good way of seeing if there's a cheap option that works before moving on to something more expensive.

fireflyloo · 01/08/2023 09:44

The silicon ones are best as they fit better. You can buy them on Amazon for 6 pairs for £10.

ttcat37 · 01/08/2023 09:56

I sleep in Loop quiet. They are excellent and block out most noise.

At work I listen to books etc with my AirPods Pro. The noise cancelling is excellent and I hear nothing else other than what I’m listening to

newfloorplease · 01/08/2023 09:56

".....I was married to a man who snored like a tractor and these saved his life."
@Toadsnotfrogs 😂😂😂

itstimeforme · 01/08/2023 10:04

Boots Mouldable Wax Earplugs get my vote too. Take a bit of moulding but one they are in they are really good.

minipie · 01/08/2023 10:11

I agree with pp you may need to use trial and error. I can’t get on with wax ones but love the foam ones with a slight flare at the base - similar to the pink and yellow ones shared upthread. I sleep on my side and use only in the upwards facing ear to avoid that “hear your own pulse” effect.

CMOTDibbler · 01/08/2023 10:35

Mack's silicone earplugs are amazing. Really comfortable even if you are a side sleeper, don't go in your ear canal so no fit problems, and a very high degree of noise block

Zepherine · 01/08/2023 10:39

Boots wax earplugs are the only ones that work with my ears and stay in. They are inexpensive as well. If the noise is really bad, i.e. ndn having a party, I will use white noise as well. For everyday stuff, noise cancelling every time. Helps me cope with my noisy neighbours.

Becgoz7 · 01/08/2023 10:41

Me and my daughter use Loop.

We tried, silicone, wax and foam, couldn't get on with them, also my daughter kept getting eat infections 😒

Appalonia · 01/08/2023 10:46

Another vote for Muffles, I used to have a D P who had sleep apnea and had to wear a v noisy machine at night. Couldn't hear a thing!

Faz469 · 01/08/2023 10:52

These work best for me. You have to cut down the stem to make them comfortable but they certainly work. After spending the best part of a year sleeping on the sofa so as not to hear DP snoring I can now sleep in the same bed as him.

Ear Plugs for Sleep Noise Cancelling Reusable Silicone Ear Plug Set of 5 Pairs Best for Sleep Work Study or Swim amzn.eu/d/9ZRLtVK

WiltingWallfower · 01/08/2023 11:32

I have hyperacusis and Loop Quiet are the only ones that work for me. Things like the whine from electrical devices and plugs drive me up the wall. I wear them to sleep, but also at music festivals and other busy places. I find them manageable for conversation/interaction, but I know others feel they block out too much and make your own voice too loud inside your head, but that’s always going to be an issue for earplugs that block out a lot of external noise.

Dd has Loop Experience and some inserts to make them Experience Plus for when she’s at gigs or loud festivals. Two of her school friends have ASD and wear the Engage ones at school, with the Plus inserts for things like the lunch hall or whole school/year events.

I tried Flare first, but found them uncomfortable and they didn’t really help. Dh has hearing damage and tinnitus (loud gigs when he was younger) and didn’t get on with Loop, but says the pricier Flare’s work for him.

Before we bought the above I found specific workwear earplugs used on building sites the best.

I feel for your predicament. My two eldest (19 and 21) also share a room. The oldest has ASD and some other issues, which means they don’t sleep much and the younger has a chronic illness which causes chronic fatigue, not a great combination at all. Thankfully we are just about to build an extra bedroom so everyone has their own room, as it’s unlikely either of mine will be leaving home any time soon, if ever.

I’ll have to go and look up the brand of workwear earplugs we used, but will come back and post it when I do. I think they were Uvex, but a specific type.

WiltingWallfower · 01/08/2023 11:36

They were Uvex Hi-com Mouldable in lime green. You can buy them in bulk on Ebay and on various workwear sites. We all used to wear them to get some sleep at music festivals and they were great, but we wanted something we could wear all day, hence getting the Loops and Flares.

loulouljh · 01/08/2023 11:43

The wax ones from Boots. Cheap and work.

biedrona · 01/08/2023 12:49

Alpine hearing

EllaPaella · 01/08/2023 13:28

Howard Leight ear plugs are fantastic. I have a snory dog and husband and these block them out completely. You do need to make sure you put them in properly though according to instructions.

Angliski · 01/08/2023 13:34

I use something called snugs. Saw them on dragons den. They make plugs bespoke to your ear canal and these plugs then fit onto wireless headphones. They never fall out and they feel solidly in there. Maybe try those?

Original poster
JMSA · 01/08/2023 17:18

Thank you so much everyone. I think you're right, in that it really is a case of trial & error. So I've ordered a couple of your recommendations in the hope that those will work out, and will order others if not.
Thanks again!

OP posts:
squashyhat · 01/08/2023 17:43

Another vote for Boots Muffles. I only need a half in each ear. I dread the day they stop making them. In fact I might stock up.

itstimeforme · 01/08/2023 17:46

@squashyhat I've just been into Boots for that very reason 😂

cemma · 01/08/2023 18:37

I swear by moldex spark plugs , been buying them for years

Jujubes5 · 01/08/2023 18:37

Ultravox · 01/08/2023 08:19

I’ve found these ones to be the best. I’ve been using them every night for about a year:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07C1V2M16?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

The first review says they were a bit big for their ears so might not suit DCs.