When HN users recommended it
2 HN users recommended this between 2013 and 2019, in 2 comments.
20072026
Each tall tick is one HN user's first recommendation. A short tick is the same user again. Click a tick to jump to the comment.
2 HN users recommended this between 2013 and 2019, in 2 comments.
Each tall tick is one HN user's first recommendation. A short tick is the same user again. Click a tick to jump to the comment.
They have their issues, but quality ear plugs can be a decent substitute for a quiet working (or sleeping) environment. The key is to find a variety that is comfortable and works well for your ears. I started by ordering a variety pack of 35 different types: http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html
From these I ordered a large box of the two that I liked best:
3M E-A-Rsoft FX: http://www.amazon.com/3M-E-A-Rsoft-Uncorded-Conservation-312...
Howard Leight Max Lite: http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-LPF-1-Uncorded-Earplugs/...
The (green) MaxLite are the most comfortable I found and quite effective, and the (yellow) SoftFX are quite comfortable and extremely good at blocking noise. I mostly use the MaxLite for sleeping, and the SoftFX when I want something in the daytime. Since each pair can be reused at least a half-dozen times before they become too soft and start losing their effectiveness, I should be set for another 5 years or so.
If you've tried ear plugs before and felt that they weren't effective enough, it's possible that you weren't wearing them correctly. They need to be inserted quite deeply into the ear canal, and need to be rolled tightly before insertion to make this possible. And then there is the slightly-embarrassing-but-essential "pinna pull": http://www.e-a-r.com/pdf/hearingcons/tipstools.pdf
A lot of concert venues have these: https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Honeywell-Disposable-LP...
They're comfy and they sound pretty good. Unlike some others, they only reduce by about 12dB, which brings a concert into the safe zone while retaining good clarity. The more reduction you have, the more bass-heavy the resulting curve is, which doesn't sound too good.