Ear Plugs for Travel
I wear ear plugs every single night, alone, or with my husband, they are a necessity for a good night sleep. Whether you are a light sleeper or not, I’ve found them to be as important for sleep as a good pillow. I’ve tried many ear plugs over the years and have become a fan favorite of one brand: Hearos.
They may be difficult to get used to, but if you use the “right” ones for you, they can really help you get a wonderful night sleep.
A Little Information About Ear Plugs
Earplugs basically reduce sound volume think of noise cancellation that goes inside your ear. I am a light sleeper and the slightest noise wakes me up. Once I’ve been woken, it can take hours to get back to sleep making for a less than ideal rest. Some ear plugs are softer so they’re more comfortable to wear while others are not. The type I use are foam type and they are the best priced option. They do need to be replaced often, they are disposable so make sure to get a large pack.
Which are the Best Ear Plugs for You?
If you’ve ever shopped for Ear Plugs before, you’ll notice they all have a NRR number on the box. This NRR is the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The higher the number, the better they reduce the noise. For Hearos, the ones I sleep with nightly are the beige ones that are a soft foam and NRR number 32. These are the beige Ultimate Softness Hearos.
The blue ones I’ll use on an airplane are NRR33 which means they protect up to 33 Decibels. These are the highest rated you can buy that are soft foam ones. They are not as soft as the NRR 32s and are a little larger I’ve found. I literally keep boxes of the beige ones as I use them nightly as well as for travel. The blue NR33 Xtreme Protection Hearos.
Why Wear Earplugs for Travel?
The #1 reason to wear earplugs during travel is the travel itself. Whether you’re traveling on a plane or train, being able to get a good rest is key to the enjoyment of your trip. Many people do not want to wear them because they think they are uncomfortable but buying a high quality soft foam one will help and properly inserting them is also key. See below for how to insert them. For me, it is much more comfortable to try to sleep in earplugs than with the big bulky (and extremely expensive) Noise Cancelation Headphones.
As a woman who has traveled alone quite a bit, I can tell you that even though they block some noise, they do not block all noise. It’s just enough to help you get to sleep and not let little noises wake you up. For safety, I never worry as I can hear a knock on the door or any other noise I need to hear. I highly suggest that if you’ve never worn them before, try them at home for a 
few nights before your trip. And one other note, make sure if you are taking a trip, don’t just take 2, take multiple pairs. I’ve lost so many behind/under a bed, in an airplane, etc. I always take about 5 or 6 just in case…a good night sleep is worth it!
How do You Insert Earplugs?
Knowing how to insert earplugs may seem like a silly think to ask but there IS a right way and a wrong way to insert them. If you just try to take it and push it in your ear, you are not going to get the best sound protection and it will fall out of your ear or make your ear sore as its’ pushing on the outer part of your ear.
Simply roll one earplug between your index and thumb to “squash” the earplug, put it in your ear, then put your finger there at the ear opening to hold it there while it expands in the ear. Voila!