Earplugs for Sleep, Work, and Concerts: Ratings, Types, and Fit

Earplugs are one of the cheapest fixes for two very different problems. At night, they block a snoring partner, a barking dog, or traffic outside the window. At a concert, a ball game, or behind a lawn mower, they protect your hearing from sound loud enough to do lasting harm. The same small tube of foam can do both jobs, but the best earplug for sleep is often not the best one for a loud show.

This guide explains how earplugs are rated, the main types, how to get a good fit, and a range of popular options for sleep, noisy work, and live music.

Top Earplugs

When noise becomes a hearing risk

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health, explains that sound is measured in decibels. Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels, or dBA, are unlikely to cause hearing loss even after long exposure. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss, and the louder the sound, the less time it takes.

For a sense of scale, the institute lists normal conversation at 60 to 70 dBA, movie theaters at 74 to 104 dBA, and concerts, sporting events, and headphones at maximum volume at 94 to 110 dBA. A fireworks show can reach 140 to 160 dBA.

The institute calls noise-induced hearing loss the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable. Its advice is simple: wear earplugs or other protective devices during loud activities, move away from noise you cannot reduce or block, and protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own. It also offers a rule of thumb worth remembering: avoid noises that are too loud, too close, or last too long.

How earplugs are rated

In the United States, hearing protectors carry a Noise Reduction Rating, or NRR, listed in decibels. Many foam earplugs are rated at 32 or 33, which is near the top of the range. You may also see SNR, a rating used in Europe and on many imported products. The two are measured differently, so do not compare an NRR number directly with an SNR number.

Keep in mind that these ratings come from lab testing. Several makers note on their own listings that real-world noise reduction depends on how well the plug is inserted, the shape of your ear, and what you are doing. A plug that is only half in will block far less than the number on the box.

The main types

Foam

Disposable foam earplugs are the cheapest and usually block the most sound. You roll them into a thin tube, put them in, and they expand to fill the ear canal. They are the go-to for loud work, mowing, and sleep for people who need near silence. Most are meant for a few uses at most, since they get dirty and lose their spring.

Moldable silicone and wax

Moldable plugs are a soft putty that you press over the opening of the ear rather than pushing inside it. Many side sleepers find them more comfortable than foam because nothing sits deep in the canal. They also seal out water, so swimmers use them too.

Reusable silicone

Reusable plugs made of flexible silicone come with several tip sizes and last for months with regular cleaning. They block less than good foam but are easier to put in and take out, and many are shaped to sit flat for sleeping.

High-fidelity filtered plugs

Concert or high-fidelity earplugs use a small filter to lower volume more evenly across frequencies. Music and voices sound clearer, just quieter, instead of muffled. They are the favorite of musicians and concertgoers who want to hear the show while protecting their ears.

Picking by situation

For sleep, comfort matters more than the highest rating. Try soft foam or moldable silicone first, and pick reusable silicone with small tips if you have narrow ear canals. For mowing, power tools, or shooting, use high-rated foam or earmuffs and make sure the fit is right every time. For concerts and sports, filtered plugs keep sound natural while lowering the volume.

Children need protection too, and many adult earplugs are too big for small ears. For fireworks, concerts, or races, child-sized earmuffs are often easier to fit and keep on than plugs.

Earplugs, earmuffs, or headphones

Earmuffs cover the whole ear and are easy to put on correctly, which makes them a good choice for kids and for jobs where you take protection on and off often. They are bulky for sleep and can get hot in summer. For very loud work, some people wear foam plugs and earmuffs together.

Noise-canceling headphones are great at cutting steady sounds like engine hum on a plane, but most are not sold as hearing protection, and turning the music up to cover noise defeats the purpose. For sleep, they are usually too bulky to lie on. Earplugs stay the simplest, cheapest option for most people.

Getting a good fit

Fit is where most earplugs fail. Most foam earplug packages describe the same steps. With foam, roll the plug between your fingers into a thin, tight cylinder. Reach over your head with the opposite hand and gently pull the top of your ear up and back to open the canal, then slide the plug in and hold it for several seconds while it expands. It should feel snug, and your own voice should sound deeper. If most of the plug is sticking out, take it out and try again.

For reusable plugs, try each tip size and use the one that seals without pressure. Moldable plugs should cover the opening completely without being pushed inside.

Keeping them clean and safe

Wash your hands before handling earplugs. Throw away disposable foam plugs once they are dirty, torn, or no longer expand. Clean reusable plugs with mild soap and water and let them dry before storing them in their case. Do not share earplugs. If you have ear pain, drainage, or signs of an infection, stop using them and check with a doctor. The same goes if you notice ringing in your ears or muffled hearing after loud noise, since those can be early signs that the noise was too much.

Earplugs worth a look

These picks come from current best-seller lists and top search results for earplugs. Ratings and features are from the makers.

Mack's Ultra Soft foam plugs have a 33 dB NRR and use a low-pressure, slow-release foam. They come 50 pairs to a pack and are made in the USA.

3M's E-A-Rsoft Yellow Neons are a workplace standard with a 33 dB NRR. They come in a 200-pair box with each pair in its own bag, which is handy for a shop or job site.

Mack's moldable silicone putty plugs cover the ear opening instead of going inside. They are waterproof, which makes them a common pick for swimming as well as sleep.

Loop Quiet 2 is a current best seller. These reusable silicone plugs offer up to 24 dB SNR of noise reduction, come with four tip sizes from XS to L, and are designed to be comfortable for side sleepers.

Loop Experience 2 is built for live events, with 17 dB SNR of filtered reduction that the maker says lowers volume while keeping sound clear.

Vibes high-fidelity plugs use filters that lower volume across frequencies rather than blocking sound, so you can still hear the music and talk to friends. Clear shells keep them low-key.

At Target, up&up's sleeping foam earplugs are a budget pick, with 12 pairs and a 32 dB noise reduction rating.

Walmart sells Radians disposable foam plugs in a 50-pair pack with a 32 dB NRR and a low-pressure seal. They are a good bulk choice to spread around the house, car, and garage.

At Home Depot, Milwaukee's red disposable plugs come in a 10-pack with a 32 dB NRR. A small pack like this is easy to keep with your tools, so you have protection on hand when you start a saw or mower.

The bottom line

Keep a pack of soft foam plugs by the bed and another in your car or bag. Add a pair of filtered plugs if you go to concerts or games, and use high-rated foam or earmuffs for power tools and yard work. Whatever you choose, the best earplug is the one that fits well and that you actually wear, because hearing lost to noise can be permanent.

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