Death of the party
May 10, 2011 8:31 AM Subscribe
Can you recommend earplugs I can wear to bed at night to block out city noise but allow me to hear my alarm in the morning?
Hi there! I live in Brooklyn directly across the street from a very loud bar that leaves their door open at night (with loud music and loud patrons). Now, this is not a huge problem until it gets too warm for me to keep my windows closed (I don't have air conditioning and require window fans). This problem lasts until 4 in the morning, every night. Last summer it wasn't as much of a problem, because I was unemployed and just suffered through until the bar closed. Now that I work, I need to be able to get to sleep at night.
This is not minimal noise. Because the bar is across the street and my building is taller than theirs, the noise just bounces back and forth and it feels like I am trying to sleep in the middle of a raging house party. I have tried your usual orange foam earplugs, but they make me feel stuffy and always fall out and get lost in my sheets overnight.
Now, I also need to be able to hear my alarm in the morning. It's a loud alarm and right next to my bed, but I'm also a heavy sleeper and I need to be sure I can hear it.
What kind of plugs, that are available in stores or on amazon, do you recommend? I can't spend the money on custom plugs.
For those who would recommend calling 311 or my local community board, I have repeated done these things, with zero results. So until that happens, I still need to sleep!
Also, I'm no party-pooper. I am, in fact, a patron of theirs. I just wish they'd close their front door (yes, I've asked).
Thanks!
Hi there! I live in Brooklyn directly across the street from a very loud bar that leaves their door open at night (with loud music and loud patrons). Now, this is not a huge problem until it gets too warm for me to keep my windows closed (I don't have air conditioning and require window fans). This problem lasts until 4 in the morning, every night. Last summer it wasn't as much of a problem, because I was unemployed and just suffered through until the bar closed. Now that I work, I need to be able to get to sleep at night.
This is not minimal noise. Because the bar is across the street and my building is taller than theirs, the noise just bounces back and forth and it feels like I am trying to sleep in the middle of a raging house party. I have tried your usual orange foam earplugs, but they make me feel stuffy and always fall out and get lost in my sheets overnight.
Now, I also need to be able to hear my alarm in the morning. It's a loud alarm and right next to my bed, but I'm also a heavy sleeper and I need to be sure I can hear it.
What kind of plugs, that are available in stores or on amazon, do you recommend? I can't spend the money on custom plugs.
For those who would recommend calling 311 or my local community board, I have repeated done these things, with zero results. So until that happens, I still need to sleep!
Also, I'm no party-pooper. I am, in fact, a patron of theirs. I just wish they'd close their front door (yes, I've asked).
Thanks!
There are alarm clocks for the deaf, that have a mattress pad that vibrates.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:38 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:38 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Maybe get an alarm clock that will shake you awake? This one has a vibrating pod that can go under your pillow or mattress. (I find that my iPhone set to vibrate will do it for me, but I'm a very light sleeper.)
posted by CruiseSavvy at 8:40 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by CruiseSavvy at 8:40 AM on May 10, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the alarm clock recommendations, but I'd like to try out my earplug options first before seeking out other remedies.
posted by greta simone at 8:42 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by greta simone at 8:42 AM on May 10, 2011
Not sure about earplugs either, but have you thought about using a white noise machine to go to bed with?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:44 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:44 AM on May 10, 2011
Try musicians' earplugs. You may need to find one with a shorter stem.
posted by punchtothehead at 8:52 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by punchtothehead at 8:52 AM on May 10, 2011
I live in a loudish part of Brooklyn and I swear by Sun-Star Ear Soft Ear Plugs
(since you're in Brooklyn: they're sold at the downstairs level of Kinokuniya in Manhattan, across from Bryant Park).
They're more effective at blocking out noise, and more comfortable and better at staying in, than any others that I've tried.
posted by Jeanne at 8:55 AM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
(since you're in Brooklyn: they're sold at the downstairs level of Kinokuniya in Manhattan, across from Bryant Park).
They're more effective at blocking out noise, and more comfortable and better at staying in, than any others that I've tried.
posted by Jeanne at 8:55 AM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
I use these Hearos ear plugs (same db reduction as those Etymotics) plus a fan for white noise, and I use my phone (set to vibrate) as my alarm clock.
posted by kimota at 9:00 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by kimota at 9:00 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Maybe set your cellphone to vibrate and put that in your sock. This should wake you, and you can have the best possible earplugs.
posted by Danf at 9:00 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by Danf at 9:00 AM on May 10, 2011
I just started wearing earplugs to sleep. Caterwauling cats wake me up frequently in the odd hours of the morning.
I tried wax plugs first. They're supposed to seal over your ear without going into the ear canal. I find they fall out too easily and can't be re-used. The "tacky" quality doesn't last after one use.
I tried some orange foam plugs from Walgreen's. I don't recall the brand, but they're rated at 33 dB. They're kind of big, but they don't fall out when inserted properly. It took me a few tries to get the trick of actually getting them to say in. I agree, though, they aren't comfortable. They block out noise, though, and I can still hear my alarm. I wake up to NPR news turned up. I think I'd hear a normal, shrill alarm even easier just because it would be close, high pitched, and loud.
There's a brand of re-usable, washable, plastic/rubber plugs called Mack's that might be more comfortable. They're rated at 27dB. They don't look as big as the orange foam plugs and are probably easier to insert.
Good luck! I hope you find something that works.
posted by Anephim at 9:03 AM on May 10, 2011
I tried wax plugs first. They're supposed to seal over your ear without going into the ear canal. I find they fall out too easily and can't be re-used. The "tacky" quality doesn't last after one use.
I tried some orange foam plugs from Walgreen's. I don't recall the brand, but they're rated at 33 dB. They're kind of big, but they don't fall out when inserted properly. It took me a few tries to get the trick of actually getting them to say in. I agree, though, they aren't comfortable. They block out noise, though, and I can still hear my alarm. I wake up to NPR news turned up. I think I'd hear a normal, shrill alarm even easier just because it would be close, high pitched, and loud.
There's a brand of re-usable, washable, plastic/rubber plugs called Mack's that might be more comfortable. They're rated at 27dB. They don't look as big as the orange foam plugs and are probably easier to insert.
Good luck! I hope you find something that works.
posted by Anephim at 9:03 AM on May 10, 2011
I listen to my music through earbuds that fill my ear canal very full. So if you setup your alarm to play through something like these, that may work.
posted by garlic at 9:05 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by garlic at 9:05 AM on May 10, 2011
I often wear just one earplug, on the "up" side of my head (I sleep on my side). By the time my alarm goes off, I've moved, and my good ear isn't buried in the pillow anymore. But this may not work, if the noise is as bad as you say.
posted by kestrel251 at 9:16 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by kestrel251 at 9:16 AM on May 10, 2011
Like sweetkid, I use the Mack putty earplugs and also seem to end up with them on the nightstand by morning so that I'm able to hear my alarm. Unlike Anephim, I seem to be able to get 10-12 nights out of a pair before they lose their stickiness.
posted by doctord at 9:22 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by doctord at 9:22 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hey, I've also been using the Mack's earplugs since Christmas. They blocked out graduation fireworks, cat meowing, the endless parade of landscapers here on Maple Ave and Buttermint snoring when we shared a hotel room in Charleston. Also, having not really worn earplugs prior to this, I have to say: I've never slept better.
posted by thivaia at 9:31 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by thivaia at 9:31 AM on May 10, 2011
After years of experimentation in similar situations, here's what I use: Etymotic ER-6i in-ear phones, with Comply P-Series tips, plugged into my phone.
All the specifics are important except the phone (could be any audio source that has an alarm that wakes you up). Etymotic are the best in-ear phones and the ER-6 series (ER-6 and ER-6i) is the only one that sticks out little enough to be good for sleeping on your side. The Comply tips are, IMHO, better than any tip Etymotic makes -- they're ideally comfy to insert but they stay in all night. (Comply claims the P-Series tips do not fit the 6i, but I'm unclear on why because they work perfectly for mine.)
posted by kalapierson at 9:39 AM on May 10, 2011
All the specifics are important except the phone (could be any audio source that has an alarm that wakes you up). Etymotic are the best in-ear phones and the ER-6 series (ER-6 and ER-6i) is the only one that sticks out little enough to be good for sleeping on your side. The Comply tips are, IMHO, better than any tip Etymotic makes -- they're ideally comfy to insert but they stay in all night. (Comply claims the P-Series tips do not fit the 6i, but I'm unclear on why because they work perfectly for mine.)
posted by kalapierson at 9:39 AM on May 10, 2011
Hearos work for me -- they mask the late evenings sounds, and if they stay in that long, my alarm is loud enough it wakes me even with plugged ears. However, usually upon waking I discover either one or both plugs aren't there -- after many hours, they become just uncomfortable enough that I unconsciously remove them (and find 'em in my bedding, later).
posted by Rash at 9:44 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by Rash at 9:44 AM on May 10, 2011
I should be clear that if you aren't looking for earphones you an also use for day-to-day listening, you can and should find cheaper ones than Etymotic, but if you're interested in making your commute/work/etc. much nicer, there's no better price-to-quality ratio than ER-6is. Don't buy them directly from Etymotic's overpriced website; they hover around $70-75 on Amazon depending on color.
posted by kalapierson at 9:44 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by kalapierson at 9:44 AM on May 10, 2011
I feel you! I have loud neighbours that keep me up, but once I'm out I sleep like a log and am always worried about missing the alarm. White noise machine works for me; in my case I use a normal fan or an air purifier, running all night, but not pointed at me (otherwise I get cold). My kitchen & bedroom are close together so I've also used the stove hood fan as it's really loud. Sometimes I also put in normal earplugs loosely so at least one will fall out once I'm asleep.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:48 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:48 AM on May 10, 2011
No set of earplugs I've tried, which is quite a few, has never stopped me hearing my alarm clock. It's right next to me and makes a sharp repetitive noise, there's no way that can be blocked out. In reality earplugs just don't cut that much noise, it's not like you're sitting there in complete silence, so this really isn't a problem. So I just made sure the alarm clock noise isn't too high pitched (earplugs cut high pitched noises much better than low pitched ones), keep the clock by the bed and wear whatever is the best noise cutting earplugs I can get.
Right now I'm using the shiny orange 3M ones which are rated at 33 dB (the highest I could find) and they're good for a lot of noises, but not that great at cutting loud music. The best I've used for this were the Bilsom 202L but they stopped selling them in NZ and I haven't been able to find any since. They aren't expanding in any way so sit comfortably in the ear without that stifled feeling you've been getting, and I found them much better at cutting lower pitched noises like music and talking.
Whatever you try just buy a single pair, put them in and set off your alarm. You'll soon see if you can hear it or not.
posted by shelleycat at 9:57 AM on May 10, 2011
Right now I'm using the shiny orange 3M ones which are rated at 33 dB (the highest I could find) and they're good for a lot of noises, but not that great at cutting loud music. The best I've used for this were the Bilsom 202L but they stopped selling them in NZ and I haven't been able to find any since. They aren't expanding in any way so sit comfortably in the ear without that stifled feeling you've been getting, and I found them much better at cutting lower pitched noises like music and talking.
Whatever you try just buy a single pair, put them in and set off your alarm. You'll soon see if you can hear it or not.
posted by shelleycat at 9:57 AM on May 10, 2011
The best I've found are Howard Leight foam plugs, and the red, white, and blue ones seem much better than the pink, pink and yellow, or orange ones. Amazon doesn't list the db rating, but when my husband gave me a pair from a cross Atlantic flight comfort bag, I went out and bought two HUNDRED of them. They are that good. (also, my sleep is that crappy). I've tried various foam, silicon, and wax earplugs, and these are the best I've found.
I can hear my alarm clock, though it is definitely muffled.
posted by instamatic at 11:13 AM on May 10, 2011
I can hear my alarm clock, though it is definitely muffled.
posted by instamatic at 11:13 AM on May 10, 2011
Seconding Howard Leight. They are the bomb.
posted by freya_lamb at 11:15 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by freya_lamb at 11:15 AM on May 10, 2011
Mack's foam plugs. The green ones. The trick is to reach over your head with your opposite hand and pull your outer ear up while inserting them. That'll straighten out your ear canal and thus allow the plugs to work much better.
posted by jocelmeow at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by jocelmeow at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2011
Ah, yes! Now that instamatic and freya_lamb have mentioned it, Howard Leight is the brand I use. My store only had the orange ones.
Seconding jocelmeow's advice on insertion, as well. Getting the foam plugs in the ear canal are key to blocking noise and preventing them from falling out.
posted by Anephim at 12:13 PM on May 10, 2011
Seconding jocelmeow's advice on insertion, as well. Getting the foam plugs in the ear canal are key to blocking noise and preventing them from falling out.
posted by Anephim at 12:13 PM on May 10, 2011
I used Hearos for ten years to keep out city noise (until I suddenly and spontaneously just stopped wearing them a year ago) and never once failed to hear my alarm clock. They have multiple levels of dB tolerance that you can try out.
Weird side benefit: I wore earplugs so consistently and so long that my doctor told me I had the cleanest ears she'd ever seen. She wouldn't have liked to see the plugs, though.
posted by whitneyarner at 12:57 PM on May 10, 2011
Weird side benefit: I wore earplugs so consistently and so long that my doctor told me I had the cleanest ears she'd ever seen. She wouldn't have liked to see the plugs, though.
posted by whitneyarner at 12:57 PM on May 10, 2011
nth-ing Howard Leight, although I specifically use the Leight Sleepers (pink and yellow). They don't ever fall out. (I also bought a box of 1000s from Amazon.)
The trick for me is to put my cell phone under my pillow so the combination of maximum volume but especially vibration wakes me up.
Another idea that might kill two birds is getting a super powerful fan for the window - the opposite of the dyson, something that really churns up the air - that effectively works as a white noise machine, and then a <$10 timer to put it on, so that it turns off an hour before you need to wake up (but after the bar has closed).
posted by BleachBypass at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2011
The trick for me is to put my cell phone under my pillow so the combination of maximum volume but especially vibration wakes me up.
Another idea that might kill two birds is getting a super powerful fan for the window - the opposite of the dyson, something that really churns up the air - that effectively works as a white noise machine, and then a <$10 timer to put it on, so that it turns off an hour before you need to wake up (but after the bar has closed).
posted by BleachBypass at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2011
I had to use ear plugs today so I could catch some much needed naptime in spite of a loud AC unit 2 feet away from my head and jackhammers 200 feet down the street. I dont have the packaging on me, so I cant give the dB rating, but the Winchester foam ear plugs work great and my phone alarm was still audible. As long as you squeeze and twist the foam as you insert them in your ear, you should get a good seal. I had no issues with them dislodging. Inexpensive, too!
posted by Giggilituffin at 2:16 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by Giggilituffin at 2:16 PM on May 10, 2011
Re: getting lost in the sheets... I have a pair of corded earplugs I sleep with (I have no idea what kind, just some disposable safety things I got on a site visit). They always come out somehow in the night, but you don't have to go digging and searching to find them again. They're right there--the things on the bright blue cord! Actually, it looks like the ones Anephim linked have a cord!
posted by gueneverey at 5:42 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by gueneverey at 5:42 PM on May 10, 2011
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posted by sweetkid at 8:34 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]