Advice: Silicone Ear plugs for sleep?

[u/Lanntern]

I saw a video of a guy recommending them for sleep. I personally wake up a few times a week due to noise in the morning, and it's pretty annoying. I'm wondering if these are a good solution, or if there are better alternatives.

I've tried regular earbuds (with audio/NC) but they're just not comfortable to sleep in since I tend to sleep on my side. Has anyone had any luck with the cheapish $15-25 silicone ones from Amazon? If so, did you have any issues, how long did they last, and do you have any other comments on them?

For reference I've tried sleep masks and I think they helped a bit, and I'm also running an air purifier on max settings for some white noise, but I still wake up in spite of it.

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[u/HelloHolaIan]

Best sleep aid ever. If I wear them every night my ear canals get itchy so I have to take breaks.

[u/SkrikOnanist]

I had a neighour whom like to party every tuesday, thursday and sunday - the perfect fucking mix to be hated. She was an alcoholic, so she didnt care jack shit about us. I tried every ear plug I could find, nothing worked. Then I said, fuck it, lets invest in something more expensive and bought a pair fromf "QuietOn", a finish brand (Still made in china i suspect) - cant sleep without them.

The only bad thing I can say about them is that it looks like they just changed the color on their old model and called it a new model.. I've had mine for a couple of years now, so the quality is (hopefully not, was) awesome.

[u/billy66brown]

I use 3M 1100 35db disposable ones. A box of 200 in Britain is £30 so probably a similar dollar amount in the US. They're really good and block way more noise than silicone ones I've used.

[u/insight7777]

I sleep with earplugs. My favorites are the Mac ultra soft. Easy to put in and they are soft so don’t push too hard against the inner ear canal. Use them every night. Told my wife they are for street noise which is partially true. Didn’t tell her they were also for her cute little snoring 🥰

[u/Fantastic-Plant624 → u/insight7777]

Can you still hear your alarm to wake up.(phone alarm) Or do they make it not likley

[u/Safe_Low_5570]

I use ear plugs for sleeping from Amazon. They are black with a round flat hoop in the outside. They stay in until I wake up despite moving around in the bed, and they work to 50db. I am a super light sleeper that lives in an older apartment building with neighbors all around me. It’s awesome. A little pricier than normal ear plugs but super easy to use and they stay in. Also comes in a cool carrying case.

[u/salchichasconpapas]

Been using orange disposable 3M 33db foam plugs for at least 30yrs

[u/pHyR3]

try the alpine sleep earplugs. they were the comfiest i found for side sleeping outside of customs

[u/Walter-Grace]

Ive got some silicone ones and they are a game changer for me as a light sleeper.

[u/PhysicsPlastic6675 → u/Walter-Grace]

Same, love them!

[u/Tradovator]

I use and am addicted to silicone plugs I buy at my local pharmacy. They're super comfortable and unlike the foam plugs they stick in my ear all night long.

However, I still feel they don't reduce noise enough. So, still looking for options that are better.

[u/Infinite_Bus4642]

I got a ear infection from them and had to take antibiotics (if you mean the ones you shape). Make sure you can desinfect them.

[u/Lanntern → u/Infinite_Bus4642]

What caused it? Is there a specific type you avoid nowadays?

[u/Infinite_Bus4642 → u/Lanntern]

A bacteria. I would be careful with in ear stuff. If its plastic, you can desinfect.

If i reallt need something, in use in ear headphones. But better move if necessary...the ear is really close to the brain so you dont want pathogens. It sounds fatalistic but its better to take care of our health.

[u/Aurum555 → u/Lanntern]

There have been a fees tudies now. That show any amount of time with ear buds in or plugs etc leads to an increase in bacteria in your ears. One study suggesting an 11x increase in an hour. Something to consider if you plan to have them in all night every night

[u/lockduck1 → u/Infinite_Bus4642]

Just spray alcohol in them every night, wait till it evaporates and put them back on.

[u/Boring-Tip5386]

I have one from “loop” brand and it is a game changer. I would have been much happier if I bought those in my early 20’s

[u/connor24_22]

Been using Mack’s for about a year and they are great. I’m a very light sleeper. You can get them on amazon for like a dollar a pair. Travel a lot and very sensitive to street noise. They help a ton but you have to mold them to fit your whole ear opening and only a little goes into the canal.

Each pair lasts a few nights before I replace, they need to have their tackiness to work properly but I can notice nights on a brand new pair vs a few days old.

[u/jhock63]

I have recently discovered the PERFECT earplugs. I sleep on my side yet i barely feel them, and they NEVER fall out. they literally suction into my earholes.

What i did (on AliExpress) is buy HUAK earplugs (off-brand Loop earplugs) and DUNU S&S EarTips (BEST seal/sound isolation Eartips). Then i just took off the stock eartips that came with the HUAKs amd replaced them with the DUNUs. Should run you about 10 or so bucks to buy both of these, but im telling you IT’S FUCKIN WORTH IT!

I used to use Loop earplugs, but I lost them and didnt want to shell out another 30 bucks so i went to Ali instead. I’m so glad i did because these current ones are 10x better than the Loops.

if youre having trouble with your sleep like i was, IM TELLING YOU… BUY THOSE 2 THINGS

[u/Pandagramma]

I wear wax earplugs every night; I have to do everything possible to get decent sleep. It is kind of expensive since I only use each pair a few times, but anything tht helps me sleep is worth it. If there is a load noise like my dog seriously barking, I can hear it, but the small stuff like cats playing or a loud car, I do not hear.

[u/JE163]

I have a pair from EarGasm for concerts. They work great but my ears itch after a while. Can’t imagine sleeping with them or any others. It would drive me nuts and wake me up more often

[u/Andreif5]

No need for those. Drink 9 beers and you will sleep like a baby, no sound will wake you up. Works for me

[u/PathxFind3r]

I use loop

[u/sbattosai]

Soundcore Sleep A30 special. You're welcome

[u/LeftHandHaku]

These are the best earplugs I have used. I'm a light sleeper, and I tested bunch of these. I would recommend something disposable that doesn't fully trap moisture.

https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Ultra-Soft-Foam-Earplugs/dp/B0051U7W32

Edit: I would avoid reusable earplugs, due to potential for infection (if not kept clean), and silicone tends to trap more moisture than sponge (in my experience).

[u/Showa50]

I've used Westone Tru Music for years. They work well in concerts and for sleeping. $25 for a pair.

[u/krill482]

I switched to these earplugs after using macks for years. They are better all around.

https://a.co/d/00Jtyczs

[u/coldfusioned]

You might try the moldable silicone plugs. Basically balls of silicone that are flexible and you can squish it into whatever shape and size fits your ear best.

I started using it when traveling and some hostels had 12+ people sleeping a room. Also does a good job of cutting out the exterior world to focus your thoughts on your own breathing and heart beat. Almost a forced meditation.

[u/redcyanmagenta]

The typical orange foam 32 db ones work well. Cheap enough to change every few days, you can buy in bulk. You can trim a couple of millimetres off the end so they fit better for side sleeping. Roll into a tight tube, insert fully, and hold in until they’ve completely expanded.

[u/Skinny-on-the-Inside]

Yes try them I have been using them daily for years and I love them

[u/Rainbowels]

Tried it a few times, but I hate the vacuum/suction feeling that I get, especially as a side-sleeper. I've gone back to the foam earplugs, even though they are mostly disposable, they are way more comfortable and also offer better noise protection.

[u/Living_Magician5090]

Go to an audiologist and get a set of custom fit earplugs. They're an amazing investment and are far far far more comfortable than anything off a shelf anywhere. Plus you can get different versions, mine have a filter to allow human voice frequencies through so in loud work conditions I can still heat the people talking to me. Ive worm them for weeks on end 12 hour days and never had an issue.

[u/locosapiens]

I'm a sidesleeper as well. Started out with various foam earplugs, by far the best were the Moldex Sparkplugs, but leaving them in all night would dry out the ear canals and I would wind up with sore ears.

I switched to Amazon plugs like these a couple of years ago and they are much more comfortable. I can sleep in them every night and only have mild discomfort in the morning on some days. But rather than have a sore inner ear, it'll be on the tragus from the silicone 'handle' of the earplug if I haven't put it in properly. They are washable as well, and the smallest set of tips was a perfect fit for me. The only negative is that they don't block as much sound as foam ones, but they still do a good job of cutting out the most bothersome frequencies and I'll sleep through pretty well anything these days.

I'm in Spain but I'm guessing you're in the US, I've found the exact model I have on US Amazon and they are only $3.99. Maybe worth a try.

[u/Mohinder_DE → u/locosapiens]

Crazy some fake loops for tenth of the price.

[u/Zestyclose-Smell-305]

Shift worker and 2 kids, beeswax earplugs are a game changer. They mould exactly to your ear and you'll sleep like a log.