I’m quite a light sleeper, and in a foreign land or hotel or just a strange bed, I sometimes have trouble sleeping because of new or strange noises. This is even more so if I have to share a room. What if your room mate… snores?! ARGH!
Previously, I’d cover my head with a pillow and nearly suffocate in the process. This isn’t foolproof though. No matter how you try, the pillow only manages to mask some sound… and its uncomfortable.
It was a bit of brainwave (for me) one day when I thought of trying ear plugs!
You can buy these ear plugs from most pharmacies. I like these which I bought in Singapore for something like S$1.95 a pair. They are smaller, softer and more pliable, and fit my ear canal better. I haven’t seen these here, but I have also bought others from Guardian pharmacy before.
These foam ear plugs are easy to use. Roll them into a narrow point, insert in ear and it’ll automatically “inflate” to fit your ear canal and block out noise.
Its not that all noise is blocked out. You can still hear if someone talks to you albeit it will be soft. But it will block out noise like people snoring, traffic outside the window, TV (if your room mate likes to watch TV before bed), lifts (if your room is near the lift) and the like.
Since I started travelling with ear plugs, I’ve had a much better night’s rest which, is quite instrumental for energy the next day to traipse around cities or face business meetings. Recently, when I stayed at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, I noted that my room was actually quite noisy in the morning, because it was facing the main roads which had heavy traffic. It never really bothered me though, thanks to these ear plugs 🙂
Cleaning is easy. Just wash them in warm water and you’re done. I reckon they will last a while, but I bought doubles. Just in case 🙂
Do you already travel with ear plugs? Am I just late to the party? 😛 I’m not sensitive to light, but if you are, eye masks are another great way to travel and get a good night’s rest.
Paris B
lyn says
May 21, 2011 at 8:57 amMy husband uses them when we travel. But I can’t get used to them. I don’t really like the sensation of something “blocking” my ears. I may have to bring a pair on my HK trip though because I’ve read some hotel rooms are quite small and the walls are pretty thin.
Kahani says
May 21, 2011 at 10:20 amI’m in HK now and I can tell you that yes the walls are thin and you’ll have the sound of trucks trundling through your room all night.
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 10:16 pmI never really had much problem in Hk but it might be because I was always exhausted every night from all the walking!!
plue says
May 23, 2011 at 11:57 ami never had that problem too! like Paris, too tired from all the walking tee hee
Uruz says
May 21, 2011 at 9:45 amI never used ear plugs up until a year ago when a bunch of college students moved into a house opposite mine. Their house basically became a “mamak” shop because of the number of friends coming over every night to hang out. One day I couldn’t stand it anymore and I bought a pair of ear plugs. Ever since then I can’t sleep without ear plugs.
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 10:19 pmThe silence is definitely golden right? And boo to all those noisy students living near you!
Mrs Top Monkey says
May 21, 2011 at 1:42 pmMy “room mate” snores. To the point that Connor sat up one night in bed when we were all in the same hotel room and protested, “Pig. Pig!” while looking over at Daddy who was still snoring away.
I can’t use those plugs though, gotta keep an ear open for the little one at all times now.
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 10:20 pmLol at the little one! But yeah in your case I wouldn’t recommend you plug up your ears all night
Ms. Blacklace says
May 21, 2011 at 3:41 pmI use them too!
The exact price is S$1.55.
I use them at night because my brother snores, and one plug will last me around a month or so.
I also use them when I go for my welding courses, and I’ll probably use them when I get a job at a shipyard.
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 10:21 pmThanks for the price update! I thought them super cheap and I like the softness compared to the firmer ones I have. And you’ll be working on a shipyard? Wow!
immunophilic says
May 21, 2011 at 5:33 pmErm, you aren’t really supposed to clean them as they are not wax plugs, which are washable. I wear ear plugs to sleep everyday and it really soften the sound around me.
Used to use this brand but found a better alternative: Daiso. Daiso sells them in 3 pairs and they are equally good. Not to mention, it’s much cheaper too. I always stock up whenever i visit Daiso…
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 10:22 pmThanks for the Daiso tip. I’ll have to look out for them if I go to our local Daiso. Aa for washing them, I just lightly rinse them after each trip. Hasn’t hurt them yet 😉
Jeni says
May 21, 2011 at 6:57 pmI bring earplugs with me everywhere now! I developed tinnitus (ringing in the ears) about 5 years ago, and I’m so afraid it will get worse so I wear earplugs whenever I go anywhere loud. I even wear them to the movies now, and anywhere that has loud music. I feel so old:( Also my boyfriend snores so I wear them in bed all the time, but they get uncomfortable, so I’m always searching for a better solution.
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 10:25 pmI’m sorry to hear of your tinnitus situation. I had a friend who had that problem too after an accident. I hope you find a more comfortable solution soon.
Serene says
May 21, 2011 at 10:30 pmWhere to get this in Singapore? I need some too
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 11:31 pmI got it in Guardian
zz says
May 21, 2011 at 10:52 pmthere are good quality earplugs for rm2.5 in guardians. they have more expensive ones but the rm2.50 one is good enought for me:)
ParisB says
May 21, 2011 at 11:32 pmThanks for the heads up! I actually bought some pricier ones at Guardian but didnt like them. Will look out for the cheaper ones next time 🙂
zz says
May 22, 2011 at 1:24 pmthere are usually at the band aid/plaster aisle.
the rm2.50 ones are like the ones in the picture you posted above just that it has blue string attached to them.
i bought something similar in daiso but they sucks.
lol so passionate about ear plugs. like you said, silence is golden:)
immunophilic says
May 22, 2011 at 3:04 pmNeed to add on the Daiso part. Try not to get those plastic ones but sponge ones like this. The packaging proclaims that they use USA technology and i find them really good and affordable in the long run. I used to but those plastic tips type from Daiso but they suck.
Hope you can find it in your local Daiso. I haven’t checked my local Daiso yet but i got the sponge ones from Japan which is much cheaper.
If you are on night flights, get ear plugs from the air stewardness too…..who knows, you may end up with the 3M brand, which makes really good ear plugs. I did on a SIA night flight…:)
Shin says
May 23, 2011 at 1:38 pmHey there…
Thanks for the post. May I know where do you get that? I have ear plug for swimming, not sure if they are applicable for sleep…
need your advise.
Thank you.
ParisB says
May 23, 2011 at 2:01 pmYou can get ear plugs at most pharmacies. The other commentators have given an idea on where to buy it too so reading their comments will help. I’m not sure how swimming plugs behave but for sleep, simple foam ones that block noise will do.
Roberta says
May 27, 2011 at 9:30 amI started them recently too. Best thing ever! I bought it last September when I went on a family trip and had to share the room with my mom who is a very loud snorer. The past weekend I went to New York City and we were quite close to Time Square, so I had ear plugs on, I was so thankful. I think my only problem with the ones I purchased is the fact that they kind of make my ear holes (is that what I would call it) bigger or sore. It’s a really weird feeling.
ParisB says
May 28, 2011 at 1:40 amI had that problem with my ears when u was using a foam plug that was a bit big. now I buy the slightly smaller ones and they are much more comfortable