NoisyWorld - Page 10 of 12 - Keeping Out the Noise, Letting In the Sound

How to Put in Foam Earplugs and Test Their Fit for Optimal Noise Reduction

Updated on May 4, 2019 by Helmut

Learning how to put in earplugs isn’t rocket science, or is it? Sadly, in multiple studies, fitted earplugs did not even provide half the noise reduction that was printed on the package. The striking difference between the noise reduction rating (NRR) obtained in the lab and real-world noise reduction prompted the National Institute for Occupational …

Alternatives to Earplugs for Sleeping That Work

Published on April 22, 2019 by Helmut

Foam earplugs are very effective at reducing noise across the whole frequency range. Unfortunately, not everyone can tolerate foreign objects in their ear canal. Other people like me, sometimes need or want to give their ears a break from earplugs without completely giving up on noise reduction when going to bed. Others yet may be …

Foam vs Wax vs Silicone Earplugs: How Do They Compare and When to Choose One Over the Other

Published on April 15, 2019 by Helmut

Wax earplugs, invented in 1907, and virtually unchanged to this day, and moldable silicone earplugs have a huge following, and for good reasons. Still, foam earplugs are the most popular earplugs today. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. On average, they are also the most effective for blocking noise: I am a huge …

Are Earplugs Good for You? Side Effects of Using Earplugs and How to Overcome Them

Updated on April 5, 2019 by Helmut

I have worn earplugs for a few years’ worth of nights and while there was nothing major, I have had to deal with a few side effects. The most prominent one was ear pain—mainly when I had gotten earplugs that weren’t a good fit for my ears or when I hadn’t inserted them properly. But …

Aftershokz Sportz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones: Review and Favorite Uses

Published on March 12, 2019 by Helmut

I recently got myself a pair of bone conduction headphones, the Aftershokz Sportz Titanium and put them through some good testing. In this post, I am reviewing the Sportz Titanium for various applications, including listening to audio while keeping an open ear and awareness of my surroundings, and the opposite: using them together with the …

How to Use White Noise for Better Sleep – It Is Easy and Works

Published on February 27, 2019 by Helmut

In this post, I’ll offer specific advice on how you can use white noise to improve your sleep and remove night time noise. I am going to detail how to administer white noise for better sleep and cover specific white noise machines, apps, and headphones to generate white noise in your bedroom. We will also …

The 5 Best Noise Reduction Earmuffs Review

Updated on July 23, 2020 by Helmut

I this post, I am going to review and rank the best noise cancelling earmuffs I have been able to find. I have owned and used all earmuffs in this review. I am also going to shed some light on what noise reduction numbers you should insist on when deciding which pair is right for …

Saltwater: Music to Fly

Published on December 24, 2018 by Helmut

Today is Christmas Eve. I spent a good two hours at the gym running the cross-trainer and working the machines. The last ten minutes was treadmill time. Depending on the music, the treadmill means chilling out, speeding up, or FLYING. Yes, you can lift off from a tread mill—and today was flying time for me. …

How to Create Effective Speech Noise Blockers for Office and Studying on a Shoestring

Updated on March 6, 2019 by Helmut

DIY budget speech noise blocking headphones

Are you sitting at your desk and trying to concentrate but can’t? You really want to dive into that article, book, or paper but keep losing track after short while. You are getting increasingly agitated. How the hell can I get these folks around me shut the … up? I have been there many times, …

How to Block Out Snoring Noise, Even Obnoxiously Loud Snoring

Updated on August 6, 2019 by Helmut

What is the secret to blocking out snoring noise? Many people are forever on the hunt for the perfect earplugs to block snoring, but few ever find them. Others have given up and just try to live with snoring roommates or move them to a different room. I am not going to rehash manufacturer’s claims; …