Earplugs

[Dixo]

Thanks guys - I think I'm going to give some wax ones a go. I've tried foam before, and they don't do much to help.

[frostypaw]

16 hours ago, alanr said:

Another thread about earplugs.

I got some of those EarDial ones - those are alright. Not as clear as the fancypants ACS filters but very acceptable and less weird than the EarPeace ones

For foam blockout ones EarsoftFX > 3m 1100 > Laser Lite >  3m Classic just on noise reduction ratings, but your comfort may vary. Poor performance is normally just not in far enough, give em a lick. Generally cruddy for listening to music tho.

[ledwards]

I use the silicone ones every day to drown out my OH snoring and works a treat. Though, they don’t drown out any sort of bass - but can any earplugs?

My only warning for females is your hair WILL get stuck in them if it’s not tied back!

[Wondermum]

On 5/1/2019 at 1:11 PM, fred quimby said:

I actually like going to sleep to the sounds of the festival. The different swirling beats and chat that make up a white noise in the end.

Our camp does have sofas so if up too early in the morning a quick kip on them is lovely

Me too but my better half is a snorer and keeps me awake at the best of times. If I’m finding it difficult to get to sleep after a full on night his snoring will make it even worse. I can’t believe I’m actually contemplating war plugs this year but I am. And an eye mask. 

[MrZigster]

My usual advice in Ear Plug threads applies:

Wash/Sanitise your hands before inserting. An ear infection is like a toothache in a pain too close to the brain type of way. You don't wanna be gettin' one of them. Can also lead to lifelong problems.

Sorry to get all Debbie Downer there.

I've tried loads over the years and have never actually found a preference. Need some specifically for sleeping this year as volunteer campsite is close to South East Corner. I may be placed in a space with a stage and though they tend to supply adequate ones I don't want to rely on it.

Would I get shot down for suggesting that certain venues don't really need to have the volume up to possible permanent aural health damaging levels? (I'm really thinking of my locals Karaoke here. So loud it's physically painful).

I'm maybe getting older and more Grandpa Simpsony these days, though he famously said "TURN IT UP!" didn't he. Secret Drum & Bass fan I reckon.

If you can fall asleep to music and with the extra bulk headphones are another option.

I'm going to bed now. Can everyone just please shut the fuck up.

 

[Yassmin]

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Edited May 6, 2019 by Yassmin
Misread.

[WforWill]

Right… so what are now the best sleeping ear plugs? I can still hear Silver Hayes in my tent!

[Yeo-vile idiot]

Loops quiet work well for me 

[Magic Toaster]

I'm a gigging drummer and use Earpeace attenuators.

 

I find them really good for gigs as they don't affect the sound quality that much - they just bring the volume down.

 

Comfy to sleep in, too.

[Johnnyseven]

I favour the 3M yellow cylindrical shaped ones for sleeping, other more solid ones hurt my ears when sleeping.

[Metal Monkey]

I use Quies comfort wax ear plugs for the other half’s snoring. Not perfect as I can still hear it, but perfectly comfortable and at -27dB pretty good. I also take a second pillow to festivals and put it over my head in the morning so I can get a lie in. 
I’ve noticed from this thread there’s a Quies foam version at -35dB, I will have to try those. 

[astrowerks]

how do you wake up with earplugs in? i reckon might accidentally sleep for hours if i couldn't hear my alarm clock (phone)

[Littlechef87]

15 minutes ago, e_p said:

how do you wake up with earplugs in? i reckon might accidentally sleep for hours if i couldn't hear my alarm clock (phone)

I wish I could sleep like that! 

[Quark]

I've got a set of these, good for gigs and sleeping.  The different plug sizes let you adjust a bit depending on ear size / how much you want to bock out.  Only tip I'd give on them is that I found using a little pair of nail scissors to trim down the hard silicone ridge around the insert has stopped them irritating the inner part of my ear where it rubbed a wee bit, but that's down to individual ear shape.

 

[Quark]

1 hour ago, e_p said:

how do you wake up with earplugs in? i reckon might accidentally sleep for hours if i couldn't hear my alarm clock (phone)

 

My experience they aren't generally strong enough to completely block noise.  More that it takes the edge off when you're trying to get to sleep so noises don't cut straight through as much. But then I am quite noise sensitive / light sleeper.

[charlierc]

I don't think I've ever actually tried sleeping with plugs in. Take it that might be a must at Glasto depending on how close your tent is to a stage?

 

For gigs I just use fairly standard ER20 designs. I can't go to gigs without earplugs but have just sworn by these since around 2012 or whenever I started going to gigs with earplugs. They were also fairly solid in my days when I was playing drums, though I think if I was to return to that I'd need better ones.

[Quark]

I wouldn't say a must, but it's certainly gonna help. I spent years going without and managed OK, but was generally camping up in Big Ground or Paines so not right on top of anything late night.

 

These days I'm actually more likely to sleep with earbuds in and have some white noise / drone music / rainfall on to aid getting to sleep, and then rely on them acting as improvised earplugs to stay asleep. I use these

 

Edited June 6, 2025 by Quark

[charlierc]

I mean, the only time I've been camping at a festival was when I borrowed a friend's tent at Reading 2011 which was parked right by a main thoroughfare and it just felt impossible to sleep with people chanting and shouting all night, and in one case cops having a lengthy chat with somebody right by the thing. Didn't help it was also super cold.

 

But yeah, I can guess there's a location dependency that could also be a factor and being right by an up-all-night stage isn't going to be the easiest to sleep near.