Good earplugs?

Merlin5 · 22 Dec 2015 at 21:18

My neighbour who rents a flat above has generally been very silent at night but in the last two weeks has been snoring regularly most nights. It's like a deep groan rather than the typical snoring sound. Not overly loud but very annoying. Unfortunately, this house has terrible sound proofing and I'll be selling my flat in 2016 but it's going to take a while as I have to extend the lease first. While I'm still here, I need to start making use of earplugs.

I read another thread on here where someone said he bought Howard Leight Max earplugs and he wouldn't even hear an explosion going off with those inserted. I was going to buy 20 pairs of them and also 20 pairs of 3M 1100, both are 37dB and meant to be excellent. £2.85 for 20. Since it's now xmas and will take till january before I receive them, I could just go and pick up a pack of 10 pairs of these Stanley earplugs from screwfix for £1.49, they're 34dB.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-34db-disposable-foam-ear-plugs-10-pairs/45846

Would anyone know if the Stanley earplugs are, or would expect them to be as effective as the aforementioned, albeit 3dB difference?

Mobius 1 · 22 Dec 2015 at 21:21

Earsoft fx, I swear by them. I run three printing presses at work, and with these in I can hear my tinnitus over the machines

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-EARsoft-FX-Uncorded-Ear-Plugs-SNR-39db-/252206222122?nav=SEARCH

DirtyJester · 22 Dec 2015 at 21:23

Trust message me your address and I'll post you some plugs, ear plugs free of charge.

Don't be afraid

deusexlumina · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:06

On the rainforest site, search for worlds finest earplugs. Without a doubt the best ever, can't use anything else now

Merlin5 · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:07

Nice one guys. Those Earsoft FX seem like beasts at 39dB. I didn't know there were any with that high NRR.

DirtyJester, very kind of you! I'll do that now.

From googling the specs, it looks like they're 37dB which is great.

Merlin5 · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:08

I fancy boys said:
On the rainforest site, search for worlds finest earplugs. Without a doubt the best ever, can't use anything else now

I saw a video of those last night, looks like they get moulded and flattened down around the whole ear canal.

DirtyJester · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:18

Merlin5 said:
Nice one guys. Those Earsoft FX seem like beasts at 39dB. I didn't know there were any with that high NRR.

DirtyJester, very kind of you! I'll do that now. From googling the specs, it looks like they're 37dB which is great.

Trust message received. I'll stick them in the post tomorrow.

I personally struggle to sleep with ear plugs in, so fingers crossed these help you out.

Wyrdo · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:19

I use these http://www.allearplugs.com/earplug-suppliers/macks-earplugs/ultra-safe-sound-ear-plugs-30-pairs.aspx

Those earsoft ones look good though, going to try some.

Mobius 1 · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:32

39db SNR is the highest you can get AFAIK. Great plugs! Really comfy too. I wear them 8 hours +

Mynight · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:40

Alpine ear plugs are my favourite used to use them when I played gigs and worked nightclubs since I stopped they have kept me happily asleep in the loudest environments. May not be comfortable for everyone but they don't irritate dumbo here.

deusexlumina · 22 Dec 2015 at 22:59

Merlin5 said:
I saw a video of those last night, looks like they get moulded and flattened down around the whole ear canal.

Indeed, pretty much! Form a good seal and rarely fall out because of it

dholdi · 22 Dec 2015 at 23:03

DirtyJester said:
Trust message me your address and I'll post you some plugs, ear plugs free of charge.

Offer duplicated here for 3M. I have a large box I acquired.
My wife works nights and prefers the 3M ones to the ones in Jesters photo.

sven256 · 22 Dec 2015 at 23:28

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-1100-E...hash=item35c4bdb630:m:mPiWMXDZW9X_H0XQLoK6OjA

Are the best ones I have used and I have bought the green 3M ones posted above. The green ones far worse sound isolation, than the oranges ones posted there. I'm not sure if this is to do with the fit or materials.

In fact I still have a load of the green ones here, as i don't use them. So if you did want them ones i can post them out to you for free.

Merlin5 · 22 Dec 2015 at 23:57

dholdi said:
Offer duplicated here for 3M. I have a large box I acquired.
My wife works nights and prefers the 3M ones to the ones in Jesters photo.

Thanks dholdi, trust sent.

It's just like xmas

thedoc46 · 23 Dec 2015 at 01:14

its not the noise reduction, its the white noise you'll get once you've got the ear plugs in.

It's a bit like putting your ear into a large sea shell (where you can apparently hear the sea) i always wear ear plugs whenever i'm riding a motorcycle, but you'll see a lot of motorcyclists prefering not to wear them because the spaced out feeling that noise can trigger.

I think you're better off having some other background noise to try and distract you, such as the tv on, than ear plugs in... without the distraction of working on machinery or riding a motorcycle, or doing your job, you'll feel pretty spaced out.

RoboCod · 23 Dec 2015 at 08:50

The best earplugs are the mouldable ones, the brand is Radians or Pro Guard. You mix two liquid components together, shove it all in your ear and leave it 10 minutes to set. They then remain the shape of your ear and canal forever, thus giving maximum noise reduction with maximum comfort.

They're also handy for moulding around earphones so they never fall out.

tom_e · 23 Dec 2015 at 09:06

Merlin5 said:
I saw a video of those last night, looks like they get moulded and flattened down around the whole ear canal.

They're a soft pliable wax so they create a great seal and won't go anywhere unless you want them to, they were my preferred choice when I worked in clubs and at massive warehouse raves.

Sankari · 23 Dec 2015 at 09:12

I'm a light sleeper, so I bought a bulk load of Class 4 25dB(A) earplugs from my local hardware store. That one box has kept me going for the best part of 5 years.

Cost me £13.50.

Punt · 23 Dec 2015 at 09:24

I'm a terribly light sleeper, a mouse farting in the garden will wake me!

I use 'Howard Leight Laser Lite' earplugs every night and they're the best one's I've used. Other earplugs, in my experience, either don't block enough sound or irritate my ears.

Dewotter · 23 Dec 2015 at 09:30

Punt said:
I'm a terribly light sleeper, a mouse farting in the garden will wake me!

I use 'Howard Leight Laser Lite' earplugs every night and they're the best one's I've used. Other earplugs, in my experience, either don't block enough sound or irritate my ears.

I love these too. Recently had a guy working nights move in with me and he seems to have made dinner during the wee hours of the night and I slept soundly through it.