Your sleep earbud FAQs, answered:
How do I choose the right earplugs for sleeping?
Comfort is key — so think about which type of earplugs you’d be happy to wear all night. Foam plugs are cheap and cheerful, but aren’t best suited to side sleepers — whereas wax ones are soft and mouldable, but ideally need to be replaced every day. Alternatively, silicone earplugs can be used again and again, but aren’t typically able to block out quite as much sound, and can sometimes cause earache after prolonged use.
What is a Single Number Rating (SNR)?
It can be a little bit confusing to get your head around, but in simple terms, the higher the SNR, the more protection your earplugs will provide you with against noise.
Most pairs of earplugs will have an SNR of anywhere between 15 and 40 — with a higher rating generally meaning they’re more effective. So, for example, a pair of earplugs with an SNR of 25 will reduce the amount of noise the wearer is exposed to by 25 decibels — whereas a pair with a rating of 20 would block out a little less.
Are earplugs safe to use every night?
Generally speaking, yes – it’s pretty safe to wear earplugs while sleeping, as long as you use them correctly, and also keep them clean if you’re using them more than once. Unsurprisingly, wearing dirty earplugs can cause ear infections — as can allowing bacteria to build-up on your AirPods, or alternative in-ear headphones.
But as with everything, there are a few other potential side effects worth knowing about. Regular use can cause more wax to be pushed back into your ear canal, which can lead to a build-up or blockage developing. If left untreated, complications like hearing loss and tinnitus can occur — so, if things are starting to sound a little muffled, be sure to pay a visit to a GP or audiologist, where you’ll likely just be prescribed some ear drops to soften and clear the wax.
What are the best earplugs for side sleepers?
In order to avoid having excess pressure placed on your ears, the best earplugs for side sleepers tend to be ones made from light and comfortable materials like mouldable wax or soft silicone. And in terms of design, you’ll likely want to pick plugs that don’t protrude outside the ears — as these types are more likely to leave you with pain and discomfort.
How do I choose the right size earplugs?
Earplugs should sit snugly in your ear canal — creating a tight seal that blocks out sound. If they’re too big, they’ll likely stick out uncomfortably, and feel rather tight — whereas earplugs that are too small will feel rather loose, fall out when you move, and also fail to block out much noise.
A great way to test the sizing is simply moving your jaw from side to side — they shouldn’t move or fall out if they’re the correct size and fit. Helpfully, reusable silicone pairs typically come with spare tips in different sizes — while soft wax earplugs can be moulded to help you get the right fit.
Can you sleep with Loop earplugs?
You can technically snooze with any pair of Loop Earplugs — but the Loop Quiet range has been designed particularly with sleeping in mind. “The Loop Quiet 2 earplugs block out environmental noises that keep your brain stimulated — and therefore make you unable to fall asleep,” explains neuroscientist, Nicole Vignola. “Using Loop Earplugs to block out excess noise exposure will help improve your sleep, protect your mental health, and even prevent brain function deterioration.”
