Best earplugs/muffs to minimise noise on flight?
Oct 22, 2015, 10:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
Best earplugs/muffs to minimise noise on flight?
Hi All
I find long flights very tiring due to the drone and noise, was wondering if someone could recommend the best passive solutions to reduce this noise, theres so many earplugs and earmuffs available not sure where to start, if it helps I'm in the UK
Advice would be much appreciated.
PS I've looked at active noise cancelling options already (e.g. Bose QC), really need a passive option as well however.
Many thanks
I find long flights very tiring due to the drone and noise, was wondering if someone could recommend the best passive solutions to reduce this noise, theres so many earplugs and earmuffs available not sure where to start, if it helps I'm in the UK
Advice would be much appreciated.
PS I've looked at active noise cancelling options already (e.g. Bose QC), really need a passive option as well however.
Many thanks
Oct 22, 2015, 11:52 am
#2
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,651
Interesting article about ear plug ratings here:
http://www.hearforever.org/blogs/01/...rr-40-earplugs
Go to your local drug store and look for some that are rated 33 dB, which is the highest I've found.
http://www.hearforever.org/blogs/01/...rr-40-earplugs
Go to your local drug store and look for some that are rated 33 dB, which is the highest I've found.
Oct 22, 2015, 1:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: next to HAM
Programs: LH M+M
Posts: 960
I use those:
Pro: you can still hear something, e.g. alarmclock, FA. No pressure issues and no overheating, if used overnight in the hotel bed or long-haul. But filters the "bad" frequencies.
Con: likely not in the -33dB area. Bit fiddly to insert, depending on ear canal.
Never tried them in a flight, since I use Bose QC20 in-ears there.
Noise reducted greetings,
fips
Pro: you can still hear something, e.g. alarmclock, FA. No pressure issues and no overheating, if used overnight in the hotel bed or long-haul. But filters the "bad" frequencies.
Con: likely not in the -33dB area. Bit fiddly to insert, depending on ear canal.
Never tried them in a flight, since I use Bose QC20 in-ears there.
Noise reducted greetings,
fips
Oct 23, 2015, 5:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,365
I like Howard Leight too, but I use the Laser Lites. The NRR is 1 less, but that is a fairly small difference.
http://www.howardleight.com/ear-protection/earplugs
http://www.howardleight.com/ear-protection/earplugs
Oct 27, 2015, 3:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Body in the CLE, soul still in New England
Programs: In 2023? Does it matter? SPG/Marriott: Plat; DL: Plat; B6: Mosaic
Posts: 2,979
I actually don't like the foam/single use earplugs, I feel like they don't give nearly the complete coverage that silicone earplugs do (and least on my ears). I have a box of Max's in both my rollaboard and my work bag. I split 1 disc into 2 pieces...one piece in each ear. My brother snores like a lumberjack...and this has saved our sanity on countless vacation trips.
And if I really want to block out ambient noise, I insert the silicone earplugs, then use my Bose Noise cancelling headphones. Pretty darn perfect.
And if I really want to block out ambient noise, I insert the silicone earplugs, then use my Bose Noise cancelling headphones. Pretty darn perfect.
Nov 17, 2015, 12:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Stockholm
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond
Posts: 171
I use silicone plugs when swimming, but for traveling when I want maximum quiet I go with the Howard Leight Max plugs with my Sennheiser MM-550-X noise canceling headphones. Compared with the silicone plugs, the foam plugs are cheaper, lighter, quieter, and do a better job of minimizing noise and vibration transmission when resting your head against a pillow or headrest.
Dec 8, 2015, 12:42 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ANC
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Posts: 40
I use a pair of Shure prosumer in-ear monitors (recommended by my musician SO) that can double as both earphones and earplugs. When I'm not playing music, I can make out the muffled FA/captain announcements. When the music is playing, that's all I hear. They're very comfortable for long wear and have swappable pads (your choice of foam or silicone in various sizes). The cord can be worn behind the head and tightened at the base of the neck, so they're easy to sleep in as well.
Dec 14, 2015, 8:47 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
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I get a bulk pack of 3M (formerly AOSafety) ones with a rounded end from either Amazon or my local home improvement store for using with outdoor power equipment. Works great.
Dec 20, 2015, 1:05 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Not sure you're budget, but have you considered custom in-ear monitors? In case you don't know, they're custom made earphones that are made to fit your ear. They block out noise very well (since they're custom fit), plus you get very nice earphones. I always wear them on the airplane even if I'm not listening to music, they're still very good. I can wear them during the whole flight, 30 hours my longest through three connecting flights, no issues.
Dec 26, 2015, 5:03 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: MileagePlus - Gold
Posts: 104
I've found that the best combination are foam plugs with Bose QC headphones (or equivalent). If you google "foam plug attenuation charts" you will see that they work better at attenuation of high frequency sound energy. Active noise cancelling technology (e.g. Bose etc) works best at low frequencies and so the combo uses both strategies in a complementary fashion.