Sleeping with earplugs, anyone?

[ny biker]

Does anyone wear ear plugs for sleeping? If so, what kind do you like?

I'm a light sleeper. I've used a white noise machine for years and it has been a huge help.

I also live in on the second floor of a three-story condo building. Even with the white noise machine, I usually hear my upstairs neighbor walking around, but in the past it hasn't been much of a big deal and after I get used to their schedule I'm able to sleep through it or fall back to sleep quickly (I am not an early riser).

However my current upstairs neighor is the noisiest neighbor I've had in 30 years of living in dorms, apartments and condos. I think part of the problem is that she has very little carpeting -- I swear I can hear her opening and closing dresser drawers. But unfortunately the condo rules do not include carpet requirements any so I can't force her to get more. I've spoken to her about the problem which helped a little but not much. She's just a stomping, slamming kind of person who does not move gently and is not willing to try. She also has a dog which is pretty small but very energetic, and when it runs across the room it sounds like a drum roll on my ceiling. Oh and she also thinks its okay to vacuum early in the morning. (She also makes no attempt to park her SUV within the white lines that mark the spaces in our lot, so the person parked next to her has trouble opening their door. All in all, she's oblivious to the fact that she shares this place with other people.)

So, recently I tried wearing ear plugs at night in addition to the white noise machine. First I tried Mack's Ultra Soft Foam, which block out lots of noise but are too big. The part that was visible in my ear pressed against the tragus and left me feeling sore the next day.

Last night I tried Mack's pink women's ear plugs, which are a little smaller. They were more comfortable though still left me a little sore.

Also, after I remove them, I can hear fine, but I have a weird feeling in my ears like it takes them a while to adjust to the absence of pressure from the plugs.

I actually found something in Slate where a guy compared several different kinds and rated them. He liked Hearos the best. I might try them next.

I'm annoyed that this is necessary, but I can't continue to lose sleep to this woman. I'm tired of being angry and tired all the time.

So, any suggestions?

[OakLeaf]

The only ones I can wear without pain are the Hearos beige Ultimate Softness.

If you sleep on your back you might consider custom molded plugs. They work by blocking the ear opening, so if you sleep on your side they'll conduct noise from where they rub against the pillow. I had a pair, but my dog ate them...

[jobob]

Another vote for Hearos.

[redrhodie]

I can't sleep without them. I did quite a bit of experimenting, and I like the CVS brand soft foam ones the best, 30 decibels. They're Celeste colored (like a Bianchi).

I have a nearly full pack of Mack's Ultra safe Sound (32 decibels) you can have for free. The best thing about them is the pack has instructions on placing them properly in the ear. Seems simple enough, but the technique on their bag makes a big difference. These were a little uncomfortable for me, but you might like them. PM me your address if you want to give them a shot.

[soprano]

I like the bright red/orange ones that are shaped like a bell. I've seen them under several different brand names, including Flints and Krogers (generic). I've also had good results with silicone earplugs, but my partner asked me to switch after one night when an earplug migrated from my ear to his hair

[Pax]

Another vote for Hearos, they have improved the quality of my life.

[Jolt]

I like the bright red/orange ones that are shaped like a bell. I've seen them under several different brand names, including Flints and Krogers (generic).

Those are pretty decent...there are also PINK ones (called "Sleep Pretty in Pink") that I think might be a little smaller if the other ones are too big. I really hate wearing earplugs (makes me nervous...what if there was something I NEEDED to hear?? that's the only sense that's really working to protect you when you're sleeping!) and don't need to at home, but when I go camping with my family I have to wear them to get any sleep...certain people snore, and it's loud! Sorry to hear you have such an inconsiderate neighbor. I for one don't miss having people living above me...my apartment here is on the top level of the building and that is nice. I've had annoying upstairs neighbors before and it is not fun. I'm assuming you've tried to talk to her and it just hasn't worked.

[VeganBikeChick]

I was going to recommend the Mack's silicone pillow soft earplugs. I used to wear them religiously when sleeping and they (for me) are the only brand that don't hurt my ears because you mold them to your ear shape.

[pll]

ny_biker: what white noise machine are you using? I've become a very light sleeper, waking up multiple times at night. I'm curious about one of those machines.

[emily_in_nc]

I use Hearos -- the lavender ones. They do make my ear canals a bit tender, so I don't like to wear them multiple nights in a row, but I do sleep better when I wear them than when I don't. I try to use them only if needed - not every night. I'll keep a pair on the bedside table, so if a noise bothers me in the middle of the night or early in the morning, I can put them in then. I often put one only in my left ear since I sleep on my right side much more than my left. They only seem to bother me if I put one in the ear I'm sleeping on.

[7rider]

I sleep with one in my left ear (right ear is smooshed into the pillow for the most part). Mainly, it's because I"m a light sleeper and poor DH has this habit of breathing (imagine that!) loudly - not snoring - at night, which is like finger nails on a chalkboard to me.

I've never seen "brand name" earplugs - other than Mack's silicone plugs, which I've used and are okay, but I got tired of pulling my hair out of them each morning. I've tried pink ones, green ones and the red ones shaped like a bell (store brand, all from CVS or whatever drug store I'm in at that time). Currently, I'm using some super soft green ones from CVS and they seem to work okay. Not a huge sound barrier, but enough to sleep (along with a melatonin pill). The bell-shaped ones I found to be nearly impossible to get into my ear. Useless. If anyone wants what I have left - let me know and I'll send them your way. I never heard of Hearo's, and I sent away on their website for a free sample. 6-8 weeks to deliver - we'll see how it goes.

[OakLeaf]

I've only found the Ultimate Softness ones at Walgreens. CVS definitely doesn't have them. The red and yellow ones are just super painful to me.

[emily_in_nc]

7rider, I've always gotten my Hearos at Wal-mart and have never had problems finding one. I bought a plastic jar of something like 50 pairs!

[malkin]

Howard Leight
Lite Sleepers or Lazer Lite. Pink and yellow ones.

[WindingRoad]

Funny i just stumbled upon this thread as my upstairs neighbors have been driving me absolutely insane. They are the type of people that must walk on their heels. As hard as I hear their heels hit the floor I don't know how they have any feet left. Also they are the 'never sit still' type and the 'just getting going at 11:30 at night' type too. Not to mention the 'lets scream and yell and fight then have sex' types. Soooo sick of these two people. I have asked them numerous time to turn music down too and that never lasts for more than a day. I have been documenting their shennanigans for my land lord and since he has opted NOT to renew their lease. I too have been wearing earplugs, running two fans and I STILL get awoken by these two people. I don't know what kind of earplugs I have but they are white and moldable. They are OK but wearing out. Are their any that target particular noises. My neighbors are stompers so its the low base noises that wake me up most often.