Amenity kit ear plugs - Too stiff to sleep with...
Apr 28, 2019, 11:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 29
Amenity kit ear plugs - Too stiff to sleep with...
I'm a side sleeper, and I find the ear plugs included with the amenity kit impossible to sleep with.
-> They are stiff, and hurt my ear when placing my head on my side. Maybe my ears canals are too small...
-> Because they are stiff, they seem to slip out of my ear during my attempts at sleeping.
-> And somehow they don't even block sound that well.
Last I flew Polaris was December. I read that new kits have been introduced since then. I doubt it, but maybe they have decided to switch them for something softer?
As a side note: I have learned to always bring my own ear plugs. I use the plugs and never have issues sleeping on the side and they never fall off.
-> They are stiff, and hurt my ear when placing my head on my side. Maybe my ears canals are too small...
-> Because they are stiff, they seem to slip out of my ear during my attempts at sleeping.
-> And somehow they don't even block sound that well.
Last I flew Polaris was December. I read that new kits have been introduced since then. I doubt it, but maybe they have decided to switch them for something softer?
As a side note: I have learned to always bring my own ear plugs. I use the plugs and never have issues sleeping on the side and they never fall off.
Apr 28, 2019, 12:17 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,213
Coincidentally I just had a friend who is deaf in one ear show me how to put in the ear plug for side sleepers as I too find they slip out. You need to squeeze the plug the opposite way and then insert it into the ear so it expands sideways and not lengthways. It works!
Apr 28, 2019, 12:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,952
Agreed, squeezing is really the most important element, because as the plugs expand back, they will fit each person's individual ear space. Myself, I roll the plug like a pin.
Apr 28, 2019, 2:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
They did indeed change the ear plugs in the new kits and I find them to be improved. They're now grey (instead of the previous bright color) and are slightly softer and they stay compressed for longer when you twist / squeeze them making them easier to put in.
Like sinoflyer I roll them super thin and long like a pin, then insert into the ear canal (they need to go in a bit) and then as they unroll they will fit your ear and create a seal. Only a small amount sticks out so I don't notice when I sleep on my side.
Like sinoflyer I roll them super thin and long like a pin, then insert into the ear canal (they need to go in a bit) and then as they unroll they will fit your ear and create a seal. Only a small amount sticks out so I don't notice when I sleep on my side.
Apr 28, 2019, 5:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Titanium / LT Plat
Posts: 652
I actually pack my own... I’ve tried a bunch of brands, and really love the Mack’s Ultra Soft.
https://amzn.to/2J0YEDm
~$8.00 for 50 pairs!
https://amzn.to/2J0YEDm
~$8.00 for 50 pairs!
Apr 28, 2019, 5:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,349
Highly recommend these
ones -- softer and gentler on the ears, and easy removal with the T-shape. $16 for 200 pairs. Been using them for a few years now (I think it was someone else on FT who recommended them actually).
Apr 28, 2019, 5:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA MP (1K, 1MM)
Posts: 268
I actually pack my own... I’ve tried a bunch of brands, and really love the Mack’s Ultra Soft.
https://amzn.to/2J0YEDm
~$8.00 for 50 pairs!
https://amzn.to/2J0YEDm
~$8.00 for 50 pairs!
And buying cheap ones in bulk mean you can dispose of them after a couple of uses; can't imagine buying an expensive pair and washing/cleaning them often to remove the wax and bacteria that likely grow..
Apr 29, 2019, 8:05 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,640
On a side note, reaching over your head with the other hand and tugging up on your ear a little helps straighten the ear canal and allows easier install of the ear plug.
May 2, 2019, 4:01 am
#12
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
Highly recommend these Howard Leight ones -- softer and gentler on the ears, and easy removal with the T-shape. $16 for 200 pairs. Been using them for a few years now (I think it was someone else on FT who recommended them actually).
May 2, 2019, 9:23 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 151
https://smile.amazon.com/Flents-Quie...gateway&sr=8-5
I've been sleeping with these for years (hubby snores) and love them!
I've been sleeping with these for years (hubby snores) and love them!
May 2, 2019, 12:13 pm
#14
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
The above are child's play, I tell ya'...
I swear by these:
Highest db blocking available without a prescription. (If that's a thing, it just sounded clinical).
I keep the cute little United ones on hand as like a 4th-string backup in case my other three pair either fail me or go missing. Haven't had to result to them since the 'Connoisseur Class" version.
Signed,
A man who is an extremely light sleeper who has trouble falling asleep and has not spent a night without ear plugs in his ears in the last 20 years--at home, on an airplane, in a hotel, on a boat, etc. I simply cannot fall asleep without ear plugs. (I also have a white noise app on my iPad and phone, one of which plays next to me as I sleep).
I swear by these:
Highest db blocking available without a prescription. (If that's a thing, it just sounded clinical).
I keep the cute little United ones on hand as like a 4th-string backup in case my other three pair either fail me or go missing. Haven't had to result to them since the 'Connoisseur Class" version.
Signed,
A man who is an extremely light sleeper who has trouble falling asleep and has not spent a night without ear plugs in his ears in the last 20 years--at home, on an airplane, in a hotel, on a boat, etc. I simply cannot fall asleep without ear plugs. (I also have a white noise app on my iPad and phone, one of which plays next to me as I sleep).
