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Are earplugs bad for sleep

Correctly selected medical earplugs are harmless to health. However, frequent use of earmolds does increase the risk of inflammation in the ear canals. By the way, infectious ENT diseases are a contraindication for the use of earplugs. Use the earbuds after the inflammation has healed.

To avoid ear infections, wash your ear canals daily and remove any wax from earplugs.

It is worth saying that the habit of sleeping in earplugs makes you addicted to them. Failure to wear earmolds after prolonged use makes it difficult to fall asleep. With the use of plugs, the noise level has been continuously reduced. However, the lack of earbuds makes it difficult to sleep even in complete silence, since the usual sound level in the bedroom seems loud to a person after
ear plug.

History of appearance

For the first time earplugs, as a means of mechanical blocking of sound, were used by the mythical character Odysseus in 850 BC. To prevent his crew from being distracted by the beautiful voices of the Sirens during the dangerous voyage among the reefs, Odysseus decided to plug the oarsmen's ears with wax. And now, almost three thousand years later, German scientists decided to develop earplugs that effectively muffle the noise of the technical achievements of civilization. They also opted for beeswax, adding a fabric soaked in petroleum jelly to the design. The products turned out to be very soft, easy to use, almost did not irritate the skin inside the ear canal. This was the birth of Ohropax, a hearing protection company that continues to this day.

But progress does not stand still and in 1962 silicone earplugs were developed. The indisputable advantage of the new products was that they no longer melted in the sun, like ear plugs based on beeswax.

What materials are used for manufacturing

It is easier to choose earplugs with knowledge of the characteristics of the materials.

Wax

The only natural means of soundproofing. When immersed in the auditory canal, under the influence of the heat of the human body, they slightly "thaw". As a result, the softened wax assumes an ergonomic anatomical shape and completely fills the space of the auricle.

This ensures high-quality sound insulation. An additional benefit of wax is hypoallergenic. The disadvantages of this material include low hygiene:

• absorbs particles in the ear;
• hairs stick;
• freezes after removal, which prevents disinfection.

Therefore, most wax-ups are disposable.

Polypropylene

Known as foam rubber. Attracted by the affordability. Advantages of earplugs - soft, effortlessly change shape, easy to clean and dry and protect from noise. Disadvantages - there is a risk of skin irritation. Tears after several treatments. Therefore, foam earplugs are ambiguous - disposable, but it is difficult to call them reusable either.

Polyurethane

Tight material, yet soft and elastic. It is well disinfected, can be used for a long time, provides effective sound absorption. Such earplugs for sleep must be selected strictly according to the size of the wearer's auricle.

Silicone for sleep

Not without reason are considered the best for health. Advantages - hypoallergenic, effectively provide sound protection, do not irritate the ear canal. Both soft thermoplastic and harder cast materials are used. A special feature of silicone as a material for sound filters is the mandatory observance of processing conditions. If the instructions for care and storage are violated, silicone earplugs quickly fail.

The silicone should not be completely immersed in the auricle, the upper part should protrude above the opening of the ear canal.

Review of popular products

Many pharmaceutical corporations specializing in the production of medical devices also manufacture high-quality soundproofing products.

Оhropax classic

Disposable items made from certain types of paraffin, wax and cotton wool. This model is easily inserted into the ear opening, and after a couple of minutes from heating, it reliably seals the canal, which prevents the penetration of extraneous sounds.

Аlpine sleepsoft

Reusable products made from high quality hypoallergenic medical grade silicone. Under the influence of heat emitted by the human body, the sound filter softens and easily enters the ear. The main advantage of this product is that it reliably isolates a person from all extraneous sounds, while children's crying or the sound of an alarm clock is clearly audible in them.

Travel Dream

Domestic brand that makes silicone and polypropylene earplugs. They protect your ears from dirt, dust, loud noise and moisture. Recommended for both home use and travel.

Proguard sleepplugz

High quality reusable polyurethane earplugs manufactured by a well-known German concern. They fill the entire ear canal, thus preventing the penetration of noise.

This model works as follows, by inserting a sound filter into the ear canal, it takes the shape of the canal and does not press anywhere. Plus, taking care of this specimen is pretty straightforward. Warm soapy water is needed to disinfect them.

Hush plugz pink

And the last earplugs in our ranking, Hush plugz pink... This reusable model is very popular. Plugs are made of hypoallergenic silicone. The peculiarity of the application lies in the fact that they do not need to be injected deep into the ear canal. It is enough to place them at the entrance, while holding them tightly and guaranteed to provide high sound insulation.

Of course, in addition to the above-described products, pharmacies can offer many other various products. But before purchasing the selected option, carefully study the manufacturer and the instructions for use.

Criteria for choosing effective earplugs for sleep

With a huge variety of offers of earplugs on the market, you should choose earbuds for yourself, focusing on personal preferences and requirements for the product. The main criteria they must meet

• optimal service life;
• material;
• comfortable use.

Ideal earplugs are made from a material that is comfortable while sleeping and for maximum durability.

Lifetime

Reusable silicone and PVC earplugs have the highest (up to a year) service life. Durable material, with proper care, will retain its quality characteristics throughout the entire period of use.

The PU earmolds will last about two months. With daily use, their foam structure loses its ability to change shape in accordance with the configuration of the ear canal.

Of the reusable earplugs, the minimum (no more than a month) service life is provided by the foam inserts. Their foam structure quickly loses its elasticity and they cannot provide sufficient sound insulation.

Material

The most popular are silicone earplugs. This material is soft enough not to injure the ear canal and is easy to clean. For those who prefer cheaper products, but capable of serving for a long time, while agreeing to put up with some inconveniences, we can recommend PVC liners. For those who value maximum comfort, it is better to choose soft foam or wax.

Comfortable use

Those who prefer the comfortable use of anti-noise earbuds are advised to pay attention to wax products. Soft natural material is hardly felt in the ear canal

Of artificial materials, polypropylene has similar characteristics. Its foam structure easily changes configuration and does not interfere with restful, healthy sleep. The main thing is that the selected earbuds are soft, elastic and safe.

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The best silicone earplugs

Silicone earplugs fit snugly on the skin. However, they are not as comfortable as wax liners. Silicone earbuds aren't just used for sleeping. They are used when swimming because the material protects the ears well from water.

Let's take a look at the very best silicone noise earplugs.

Alpine Sleepsoft

Good silicone earplugs in which nothing is heard. Like others
silicone earplugs, earplugs of this brand are designed for reusable
use. They are made of special medical grade silicone with thermoplastic properties. That is, they easily adapt to the shape of the ear canal under the influence of the heat of the human body.

Alpine Sleepsoft earplugs only block certain sounds. For example, they perfectly protect against noise from the street or loud conversations, while you will hear the sound of an alarm clock or baby crying, albeit slightly muffled. Thanks to this, while using Alpine Sleepsoft earplugs, you will not oversleep in the morning and quickly respond to children's nighttime whims.

The special structure of the earbuds of this brand allows air to pass through, due to which the ears do not shrink from their own heat.

Earplugs are sold one pair per pack. Acoustic filters and nozzles are supplied with them.

The price of earplugs of this brand is high - for 2019 the cost is 1580-1690 rubles per pair. However, given the quality of the material and the service life of more than 1 year, this price is fully justified.

Arena earplug pro

Reusable earplugs from this manufacturer are highly reliable. And unlike disposable products, this model lasts an order of magnitude longer.

The shape of the earplugs from this manufacturer is suitable for almost all anatomical features of the ears. The earbuds are easy to insert and remove. The silicone used in these earplugs is safe for health and does not cause allergies.

Like other silicone earplugs, the Arena Earplug Pro is suitable for both sleep and water sports.

The price ranges from 295 to 579 rubles for 2019. Sold by one pair.

Pros:

• Long service life;
• Convenience;
• No discomfort with long-term use;
• Do not fly out during sleep;
• Completely eliminate all sounds;
• Easy to clean.

Hush plugz pink

Effective, reusable sleep earplugs. Manufactured from medical grade silicone in the UK. The earbuds are easy to insert and remove from the ear canal. They are similar in shape to a Christmas tree.

You still need to look for Hush earplugs on the Internet and pharmacies. According to some reports, the price of a pack of 14 inserts costs 350-400 rubles.

Moldex comets

Reusable silicone sleep earplugs made in Germany. Skin-tight and comfortable to use. A pair of earplugs lasts for a long time - with proper care, the service life is more than 1 year.

Sold one pair per pack. The price ranges from 135 to 500 rubles.

rubles on Aliexpress

Mack's Ear Seals

Silicone earplugs with extra rings for enhanced sound insulation. Suitable for sleeping in noisy environments.

Mackstar Seals earplugs can be called anatomical because they adhere very well to the skin, regardless of the structure of the ear canals. Designed for reusable use.

Apex air pocket

The earplugs are suitable for sleeping, swimming and working in noisy environments. Made of silicone. The package contains a special case for storing earplugs.

Mack's Pillow Earplugs

Noise-canceling silicone earbuds. Great for sleeping. The set includes 12 earplugs.

The price per package is 750 rubles for 2019.

Types and which ones are better to choose for a good sleep?

Today there are a large number of different earplugs that can give their owner a long and restful sleep. In order to choose the most comfortable and effective earplugs that will protect your ears from extraneous sounds, you should familiarize yourself with their types. In this regard, all ear protectors can be divided into two main groups: disposable and reusable.

The service life of the described products determines the material from which they are made. So, for example, earplugs made from polypropylene, or foam rubber, are considered quite effective, but have a short service life, since they quickly lose their shape, break and cease to perform their main function, however, if we take into account their cost, then the shortcomings can be forgiven. Wax devices are also classified as disposable - they are made from natural material and perfectly protect against all kinds of negative influences.

The main representative of reusable earplugs is a silicone type of plugs. They perfectly keep their shape, qualitatively protect the ears from sounds, moisture, dust and other negative factors. There are several types of silicone elements: in the form of mushrooms, as well as bullets, which allows you to choose the most convenient option.

Types of sound absorbing ear filters

The device of earplugs has a variety of materials of manufacture and methods of the technological process. Modern individual sound protection devices differ in:

• material of manufacture;
• shape and size;
• the duration of the wear;
• peculiarities of care.

Materials for the manufacture of modern ear sound filters can be both natural and artificial. They are made from:

• wax;
• polyurethane;
• polypropylene;
• silicone.

Each material is endowed with operational features and working qualities, incl. duration of use. Sleep earplugs are made for single use - this applies to situations at home or in transport, hotel, in nature. That is, in those places where it is impossible to take good care of them. Reusable models provide care and treatment after each use (rinsing, storage conditions, etc.).

Photo of silicone earplugs

The size of the earplugs matters not only for efficiency, but also for comfort. In view of this, the selection is carried out individually. Too large a size puts pressure on the ear canal. Use causes discomfort, injury and ear inflammation. The use of small plugs does not isolate from noise. Moreover, they spontaneously fall out of the auricle.

For the child, children's earplugs are selected from hypoallergenic materials, taking into account the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the auricle.

Why are earplugs needed?

Restful sleep is an important factor for a person's physical and mental health. If he can go without food for several days, and with an unlimited amount of drink - even weeks, then lack of sleep or complete sleep deprivation for more than 48 hours is a serious threat to life. Of course, these are average indicators, and the individual characteristics of an individual person can exceed them - for example, the American photographer Tyler Shields, who got into the Guinness Book of Records, managed to spend forty days without sleep. This resulted in severe headache, sore eyes and loss of sensation in the lower limbs. And although some time after the completion of the experiment, the pathological symptoms disappeared, and the state of the experimenter's body returned to normal, doctors categorically do not advise to perform such experiments on oneself, even in the name of world fame.

Healthy sleep, during which the body rests - the work of important organs, even the heart, slows down, and the brain switches from conscious to subconscious functions, which are extremely important - contributes to:

• restoration of physical strength;
• strengthening the nervous system and immune defenses;
• decay and elimination of toxins from the body, both external and emerging as a result of their own activities;
• normalization of hormonal balance.

Nothing can replace these sleep functions for us. Therefore, the ability to sleep well is important for every person. Sometimes you need eight hours of sleep to recuperate, and sometimes one or two hours is enough - so long as nothing bothers you.One of the main conditions for such a dream is silence, which is not possible to achieve everywhere - a tired person can be at the station waiting for his flight, in an airplane seat or in a train compartment, where the conditions for sleeping leave much to be desired.

In your own apartment, the noise of cars coming from the street can interfere with sleep. A party with neighbors or a crying of a small child, whom parents cannot calm down in any way - are also not the best background for sleeping. Everyone knows that sound insulation in modern new buildings is very weak, and not everyone has enough money to purchase a separate house.

The best polypropylene sleep earplugs

Earbuds made from this material are safe, relatively comfortable and inexpensive. Let's analyze the popular PP earplugs according to buyers' opinion.

Travel Dream

Good earplugs for noise, suitable for improving the quality of sleep. Polypropylene is an excellent material for earmolds in terms of price and quality. In terms of service life, liners made of this material are almost as good as silicone ones.

Traveldrim polypropylene earplugs do not provoke allergies and are safe for the ears. Sleeping earplugs from this company have a drawstring, thanks to which you can easily remove the earbuds.

These earplugs provide better protection against noise caused by snoring, talking and other sounds such as street noises.

They are inexpensive: for 2019 - from 100 to 150 rubles. Sold in 7 pairs per pack.

Pros:

• Adapt to the shape of the ear canals;
• Soft material;
• Does not irritate the skin;
• Doesn't smell like rubber or plastic;
• Durability;
• They quickly regain their shape.

Moldex Spark Plugs

Soft, almost imperceptible polypropylene sleep earplugs. Easy to put on and take out from the ears, thanks to its shape. They sit comfortably in the ears and deal well with excess noise. In addition, products of this brand do not cause allergies for any period of use.

In addition to sleeping, Moldex earplugs are used in industrial environments with high noise levels.

The price in pharmacies ranges from 113 to 125 rubles. The pack contains 2 pairs.

Pros:

• Suppresses most loud sounds;
• Adheres tightly to the skin;
• Are inexpensive;
• Do not smell like plastic;
• Soft and comfortable.

Best polypropylene earplugs for sleeping

Of all the best noise protection earplugs on the market, polypropylene is the cheapest. Despite their low cost, their quality and safety are beyond doubt. They can be used not only during sleep, but also, for example, when swimming. We reviewed 10 options and selected two of the best according to customer reviews. These devices outperformed others in terms of convenience and efficiency.

Moldex Pocketpak Spark Plugs

Made from polypropylene, these earplugs are lightweight and soft. They can be easily inserted and removed from the ear canal, as they are tapered. But above all, the product is striking for its striking design. The reviews indicate the absence of discomfort while wearing them, which can be explained by the hypoallergenic composition and a high degree of protection against loud sounds. Thanks to this, sleep becomes stronger and deeper. Despite the initial manufacture of the product specifically for these purposes, this device can also be used in noisy places.

Dignity

• Low price;
• High sound absorption coefficient;
• Snug fit to the skin;
• Convenient conical shape;
• Soft materials;
• Lack of unpleasant odor.

disadvantages

Not suitable for children.

Traveldrim

In our rating, these are the best earplugs in terms of price, and, despite their low cost, their quality does not cause complaints. And all because they are made of polypropylene, which almost does not wear out even with frequent and prolonged use. This material is easy to care for and safe for humans, does not cause allergies. Unlike previous models in the TOP, this option has a special lace that prevents the device from falling out and penetrating into the ear further than the permissible depth.With their help, it is possible to protect the hearing organs from snoring, water, loud sounds. They have increased wear resistance and a comfortable shape.

Dignity

• Fast recovery of shape;
• High level of comfort;
• Adapts to the individual anatomical features of the ear canal;
• Long;
• Soft;
• Do not rub the skin;
• There is no unpleasant smell.

disadvantages

• Only one pair per pack;
• The balls must be shaped to form an airtight seal.

Before use, the Traveldrim earplugs must be aligned by adapting the balls to the shape of the ear canal.

How to choose the right one

What you need to know in order to choose the comfortable earplugs that provide the most comfort. The effectiveness of this device depends on several factors:

• age category;
• existing sensitivity to the material from which the ear plugs are made;
• the conditions in which the earplugs will be used.

It is necessary to purchase expensive disposable items when you plan to use them during a long flight. The fact is that it is impossible to perform disinfection in such conditions.

If a person has restless sleep, there is a chance that the ear plug will be lost. In view of this, for such cases it is worth using specially designed models that are fixed on the head. In appearance, the device in question resembles headphones.

What is important when choosing an ear filter? Comfortable fit in the ear and good anti-noise effect. Taking these points into account, it is worth choosing sound filters for a good sleep.