Our Favourite Earplugs for Travel: Hearos Ear Plugs Product Review
You may well ask: Why are we writing a product review on Our Favourite Earplugs for Travel?
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Travelling and seeking new adventures and cultures to explore is always exciting, but it can also be exhausting. Long flights, airport transits and transfers, and new beds in new hotel rooms can leave you tired and not functioning at your optimal best. In addition, we are both sensitive to any ambient noise during the night i.e. loud TV in a neighbouring room, slamming doors, cars on the street, noisy air-con units etc.
So, the best way we have found to combat this is to get a good night’s sleep no matter whether we are in transit on a flight, or in a new hotel room. As such, our number 1 packing item for our hand-held luggage are earplugs.
In this product review, we’re going to talk about the factors to consider when purchasing earplugs for travel, and why we love our Hearos Earplugs. We have found these to be the best earplugs to ensure a great sleep no matter where we are in the world.
READ MORE ABOUT TECH AND TRAVEL GEAR WE LOVE AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND HERE
Earplugs for Travelling Comfortably – Factors to Consider
One question we have been asked multiple times is: what type of earplug should we buy for travelling? Well, that all depends on what you’ll be using them for….
Choosing the perfect earplugs for travel is a very personal thing but it is vital to get right to ensure comfortable travel. After many hours of research, these are the factors we took into consideration prior to purchasing our earplugs for travel:
Effectiveness
Your earplugs will only be effective if they can filter out sufficient decibels to make your surrounding quieter. Check the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) before you buy. The higher the rating, the more sound the earplugs are able to block out. For example, quiet speech is about 20 decibels, conversational speech is about 40 decibels, and an alarm clock is about 70 to 80 decibels. Most earplugs cover a range of 15 to 30 decibels.
Fit / Comfort
We found the earplug that worked best for us was determined by the fit. Earplugs that do not fit correctly won’t provide you with enough noise reduction and the wearer will experience discomfort, especially if wearing them for a long period of time i.e. for sleeping at night.
The size of your ear canal is also a very important factor. If the earplugs are too big for your ear canal, they’ll constantly slide out. If they are too small, you will experience discomfort.
Also, the materials the earplugs are made of will affect the fit. Earplugs with softer, more flexible and pliable options will conform better to your ear and block out loud sounds.
Materials
Earplugs are commonly made of foam, cotton, plastic, wax or silicone. Some materials may be stickier than others, and some may be less comfortable for some users.
Value for Money
The cost of earplugs depend on a number of factors including the brand you buy, price, type (disposable reusable or custom made), and specific purpose.
Ease of Use
Make sure that the product you get is easy to use. Inserting and removing the earplugs should be pain-free and not cause any ear damage.
Durability
There are pros and cons to both reusable and single-use earplugs. Generally, disposable earplugs are cheaper but they are also not as durable. Reusable earplugs, on the other hand, are more durable and suitable for repeated use, and they should also be easy to clean and maintain.
Intended Use
Earplugs for Sleeping
Getting a good night’s sleep when we are travelling is essential to ensure we start each day well-rested and ready to explore a new city, experience a new adventure, or cope with the complexities of travel days. We are both light sleepers and at times find it difficult to sleep in a new environment (i.e. hotel room, camping) as we adjust to new sounds and noises, or noisy inconsiderate neighbours.
If you are planning on using your earplugs for sleeping, then comfort is your number one priority. You will be wearing them for a number of consecutive hours so they need to fit your ears perfectly. In addition, they shouldn’t extend beyond the outside of your ears so you can sleep on your side comfortably and it stays in place for the duration of the night.
Earplugs for Flying
There are many benefits of wearing earplugs while flying. They can provide peace and quiet allowing you to get some sleep during the flight, or block out the sound of the crying baby two rows ahead.
Another benefit of wearing earplugs during your flight is the ability to combat the pressure on your eardrums that can result from flying. Earplugs can help to reduce the unpleasant pressure in your ears or pressure-inducing headache when an airplane takes off or lands.
Hearos Ear Plugs Xtreme Protection – Specifications
Material
Soft Hypoallergenic Polyurethane Foam
NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)
NRR 33 decibels (the highest grade for foam ear plugs)
Weight
9.07 grams / 0.02 pounds
Dimensions
25 x 25 x 25 millimetres
Colour
Blue
Sizing
Form Fit to Ear
Number of Uses
Earplugs should be discarded after several uses or as soon as dirt or wax accumulates on ear plugs
Features of Hearos Ear Plugs Xtreme Protection
- Ideal for all your noise reduction and hearing protection needs i.e. for sleeping, snoring, working, studying, meditation, shooting, travel, sporting events, concerts, fireworks etc.
- High NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) noise blocking / cancelling for high noise applications.
- Super soft, smooth, comfortable foam.
- Hypoallergenic foam making them safe for even the most sensitive ears.
- A soft, closed cell layer prevents dirt or wax build-up and permits comfortable wear over long periods of time.
- Popular tapered shape with flat back for maximum comfort.
- Customized fit by conforming to the contours of your ear canals.
Suppliers of Hearos Ear Plugs Xtreme Protection
Hearos Ear Plugs can be purchase in various sized packs: 14 pair, 56 pair, or 100 pair.
Directions for Use – Hearos Earplugs for Travel
Ear plugs must be inserted correctly to enjoy the benefits of optimum performance. Practice of insertion is highly recommended (watch this video).
- With clean, dry hands, firmly roll entire ear plug between thumb and fingers to form a thin tight cylinder.
- Using one hand, gently lift the top of ear up to open ear canal. With other hand, insert smaller rounded end of ear plug.
- With forefinger, hold ear plug in place until it expands to form a comfortable, snug fit.
Do We Recommend Hearos Earplugs for Travel?
Absolutely! Hearos Earplugs for travel live up to all their claims and delivers much more. They are ideal for any type of traveller and have become a permanent addition in our hand-held luggage for the following reasons:
- Easy to insert and use.
- Comfortable roll down slow recovery foam allows time to properly insert ear plugs and achieve the best, most comfortable fit every time.
- Super soft and comfortable for hours.
- Enough sound reduction so we can sleep well both on the plane as well as in our hotel room.
- The earplugs are made of hypoallergenic foam which are disposable which minimises frequent use which is associated with skin and ear infections.
- Weigh nothing so super convenient to pack.
- Fantastic value per pair.
Do you use Hearos Ear Plugs? Or, do you have an alternative brand you like? Please leave a comment in the comments section below.
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DISCLAIMER: Some of the links within this blog post are affiliate links and Exit45 Travels are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This means that we may earn a small commission when you use these links and make a purchase without incurring an additional fee yourself. Many thanks for supporting this website! Please see our disclosure policy for more information.