Earplugs: Advice Sought
 

I am looking for a pair of earplugs that block out as much noise as possible. Already have many pairs of ordinary airline earplugs, and they do a reasonable job of keeping out noise on planes. However, I was hoping that there was a more powerful solution that could cancel out crying babies :rolleyes:

Cheers!

I don't think anything will work against crying babies. :( The high frequency goes through pretty much everything, even noise-cancelling headphones.

Howard Leight 33NRR.

They're bright orange.

Can get them at Target.

You won't completely block out voices (the human auditory system is particularly tuned to the frequency range of human voices for evolutionary reasons, especially crying babies).

But it will bring down the amplitude.

Thanks for the advice, I live in Australia so I might have to get them off eBay or something since the Target in Australia probably don't sell them.

I prefer the shaped less porous foam ones as opposed to the cylindrical ones you get most often free and come in toiletry kits. They seem to block more noise and thats the best when on planes and other noisy spots.

Both SQ and CX seem to use orange, bullet-shaped ear plugs by 3M. I remember reading on the packaging it was effective for 19dB, whilst the ones suggested above are around 30db.

I got a pair of the cylindrical ones from the BAg, agree that the bullet-shaped ones are better.

Check the outdoors store/hunting store. They have some earplugs for hunters/shooters that are like 35 db... mine are like 32db and ULTRA soft. the ones i got from an NW WBC kit are ROCK HARD they hurt so much.

thanks. made a note to buy a pkg of the leight 33db. i've been using the cylindrical 29db ones for years and have been satisfied. i think they have actually reprogrammed my brain, such that when i put them on while flying, i virtually always fall asleep and stay asleep.

Hearos are my favorite. I typiclly buy them in the drugstore, but you can order them online if you cannot find them.
http://www.hearos.com/products-02826.htm

I use smooth-surfaced, bullet-shaped soft foam ear plugs sold under Remington brand in Sporting Goods as hearing protection when using firearms. Pastel orange color. Seem to not irritate ear canal, and do a very good job blocking noise. Can be found at Walmart in USA.

However, need to investigate dB levels as mentioned. Hadn't thought of that.

Silly Putty
 

If all else truly fails Silly Putty would probably be really great.

Dense but pliable, and warming.

But it might get pretty gross after a while with the little ear hars, wax, and oil accumulation.

Actually, I like the cheap wax earplugs they sell at drug stores. Yes, they accumulate wax after a while -- that's when you replace them.

They are great :)

>I am looking for a pair of earplugs that block out as much noise as possible.

Slate.com had a review of earplugs recently:

http://slate.com/id/2118800

As an earplug user, what I think is crucial is correct insertion. For example, when I'm on a flight I see a lot of people just "cramming" the foam plugs in their ears, as opposed to rolling them into a compressed cylinder, pulling on the ear, and placing them deep down into the ear canal. Makes a HUGE difference.

Screw earplugs use some noise cancelling headphones, blocks out more noise and you can't hear the engines and the air that you are zooming past.

I sleep on my side, so I prefer earplugs to NC headphones. Plus, the Bose QC2's cost a load more than I am willing to spend and have had mixed reviews.