Originally Posted by
wetrat0
As a serious reply, I always bring several pairs Mack's ultrasoft earplugs everywhere I travel, the ones with the 32dB Noise Reduction Rating (be careful not to get the ones with only 29 or 30dB NRR-- there is a big difference).
Yet sound studies have proven a change of 3 dB or less is inaudible to humans, go figure. 10 dbA is perceived as "twice as loud".
The somewhat intolerant (and overly expectant) OP could use both silicone earplugs and over the ear NC headphones and probably do quite well in the future.