ear plugs, what kind?
 

Hello!

I am ready to get some ear plugs for noise / sound. Some days are better than other days, but I would like something that muffles the sound -- not blocks out everything.

What does anyone here recommend to use?

By the way, I find that my left ear is more sensitive to sound and noise and that is the side where I hit my head in the accident. I just figured that out this week.

Anyhow, interested in any ideas / recommendations.

Sincerely

pm

Hello there ive tried everything yesterday i went to an audiologist and got some ear moulds made should be getting them in a week hopefully these ear plugs will work some ear plugs are very uncomfortable the softer ones better but not very good on blocking out nois :)

I prefer the silicone ones (for swimming). They block the most sound for me. I also purchased moulded musician's ear filters (silicone as well). 200 dollars....and I just lost one! But they allow sound to come through...while cutting out decibels. Effective if you need to hear a bit...i.e. speeches, tv, airplanes, etc.

You can go to a music store and buy off the shelf musicians' ear plugs for much less (15 dollars). They have little filters.

Over ear headpones (workers' style) also help in certain circumstances. Often I did both at the same time.

I found foam earplugs adequate for muffling out noise.

I have tried many different ear plugs. I find the yellow foam cylinders do the best. Twist them tightly and insert them so very little is sticking out. As they swell back into shape, you will hear the sound change. The bell shaped foam plugs work but not nearly as well as the yellow foam cylinders. We have a box of 50 pairs that cost $20-30. There is always a pair available. They reduce sound by 30 dB.

The $200 musicians' ear plugs have ratings for sound reduction, usually 15 to 20 dB.

I wanted to advocate for those with hyperacusis that the very pricey $200 Westone musician earplugs have been incredible.

Yes, the db reduction is only 25 (there is a total noise reduction for sleep and airplane plugin too).

However, for me, unlike foam earplugs that cut all noise, these have toned the noise down, especially ambient noises.

This reduction made me much more relaxed and less stress than the foam. Perhaps I feel I can still hear, whereas the foam cut all noise out leading to a sense of disconnection?

I sensed the relief almost instantly. I hadn't realized the extent to which event ambient noises was assaulting my brain. I thought it just the "loud" noises that hurt.

I know I am fortune to have these (and I just may lose them), but for one day, I have had a level of most welcome relief!

I just bought some off ebay for around $20 - by Etymotic Research. They come in 2 sizes, useful for my little earcanals :) the too big ones were super uncomfortable. Anyway, they allow good airflow which doesn't create a suction effect which messes with my inner ear and makes my vertigo wayyy worse. They act like a second ear canal and just reduce the level of sound. I can still her music and conversations. Right now, I'm at work wearing them in my ears with over the ear noise cancelling headphones on!