Sorry i forgot to mention in my post above ,I have the buds and can wear them all day without discomfort . They come with 3 different sizes for whatever earsize you are.

I bought mine at Costco and then when I ended up not liking them due to a headache, I just returned them. Costco has a 90 day return policy for electronics.

Most places will give you two weeks or so to return. So just go buy whatever you think you like and try them for several days, worst case return them.

I have recently done a lot of research into the Bose noise-cancelling earphones and earbuds, as I'm thinking of getting some for my son (with PCS). I have read a lot of reviews, including quite a few very detailed ones.

I have concluded, based on everything that I have read about advantages and disadvantages, comparative quality, etc., that the Bose earbuds are what I would buy for my son.

I started with a much cheaper pair of noise cancelling headphones and they literally fell apart after a couple months. So its well worth the price of the Bose.

Also I have a smaller sized head so I dont have a problem with pressure, my Bose are actually a tiny bit loose. But I have had this problem with other regular ear protectors which fit tightly so you want to be sure you can actually wear them before you buy them.

For what it's worth, I bought my Bose NCHP on December 27 and have worn them every day since then--what's that? 4 months.--and they hold up great and work excellent. I have a big head but my headphones fit comfortably, even loosely, on me.

The NCHP will not really block out the chatter per se but it does filter it and makes it easier to handle. If the chatter is real bad, I add some music. If the chatter/noise is excruciating (such as having to go to my nephew's birthday party at "Shenaniganz") then I add foam ear plugs AND use the head phones

I agree with Mark-- if you are primarily concerned with chatter then the cheapest and easiest thing to do is just buy foam ear plugs.

The problem with those are they indiscriminately block out everything whereas the noise canceling headphones/earbuds allow the sounds you want in.

I don't know about the earbuds; it sounds like those that have them love them. I feared as long as I wanted to wear them they would hurt my ear canals as all ear buds tend to do. The major draw back that I see from them is that they won't allow you the "belt and suspenders" approach of you must go into a particularly noisy environment like a 5yo birthday party. On the other hand, they are more discrete.

I say "ditto" to the poster who brought up the musicians ear plugs, though. My wife had read about those and now I am trying to get into an audiologist in order to get a pair custom. I am happy to hear they are so reasonably priced. They will be even more discrete than the earbuds but still allow me to have conversations. If I ever want to get back in a courtroom that will be mandatory for me.

I have both Bose noise cancelling headphones....On the ear and over the ear....I down right wore out the on the ear pair....Time for new battery and cushions....They really are the best for blocking out the noise!

But I have new used 3 different Sony noise canceling ear buds, very pricy unless you get a deal....This is all I use now to reduce "feeling like a freak"....

All have pros and cons.... anyone interested on a real review and model numbers just PM me.....Ive used this for 8 1/2 years to coup with my problems from my TBI!...

I have concluded, based on everything that I have read about advantages and disadvantages, comparative quality, etc., that the Bose earbuds are what I would buy for my son.[/QUOTE]

Just to report that I did end up buying these for my son (paid A$350 and the sales guy included a set of airplane adapters). who has tested them out during our recent 3.5hr coach journey to Sydney. He thought that they were excellent -- and he isn't the sort of person who would say that just to please me!