Originally Posted by
anabolism
I've had good results with an in-ear noise-canceling set; in my case, the
Audio Technica ATH-ANC3BK QuietPoint In-Ear Headphones. I replaced the stock ear tips with a replacement set from
Comply, for better fit and comfort. They have a "pause" button that turns off the noise cancelation and pauses the audio device (in my case, an iPod) for temporary conversations where you don't want to remove them from your ears, although they're easy enough to remove and reinsert that I tend to do that.
Although, for sleeping, I generally switch to a pair of NR33-rated earplugs, inserted fully into the ear canal, and the airline's Bose headset over them, plugged into my iPod playing ocean waves.
The Audio Technica replaced a Comply NR-10 in-ear noise blocking (not canceling) set that has an attenuator for adjusting the volume of the source (I find that some airline's built-in sound system is too loud when using noise-canceling or noise-blocking ear buds or headset.)
I have the same Audio-Technica, very happy with them. They do an excellent job killing any kind of broad-spectrum noise. For instance, wearing them I can't hear the HVAC in my office at all. They even did a decent job driving around town with the windows down in my 91 corolla back when the exhaust rusted though a few months ago.
I've added a set of Shure triple flange silicone earpieces and I couldn't be happier. I might hack them a little bit more, to convert them into a pendant/necklace arrangement, and maybe combine them with a pendant type bluetooth receiver like the Jabra BT303 or the Motorola H705. I suppose I could also upgrade the actual earbuds sometime too.