The material earplugs are made from helps to figure out whether they'll be comfortable for you or not. For example, foam earplugs tend to be the best at reducing sound, and some have a noise reduction rating of 32dB. However, these earplugs work by completely filling up your ear canal, a feeling some people don't like. In the meantime, I try to deal with it by putting earphones in and listening to the radio but that makes me antisocial and means I miss out on work related conversations…… Reply

During testing, we found they were comfortable and did make loud concerts more enjoyable. They're also very easy to take in and out of your ear. But they're not as comfortable as other options for longer use and won't work for side sleeping. Flare sent me three sets of buds; the standard earplugs, the Flare Calmer mini and the Flare Calmer Pro, which is lined with an aluminum waveguide. So, how effective are the different pipe designs inside each of the earplugs? I asked Davies to comment on them, as well as Jérémie Voix, a professor at École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal who leads the NSERC-EERS Industrial Research Chair in In-Ear Technologies (CRITIAS). However, Davies warns that the placebo effect might be at work in some cases, and believes all of these products need more sound attenuation tests to a recognised standard from a reputable lab.I cannot get away from the constant trigger of a neighbors child running around upstairs constantly! (other times their dog barking for hours or music playing) Because we all experience sound differently – even two neurodivergent people or those with the same hearing difficulties – it’s challenging to find the right solution. Noise sensitivity affects people differently. Some people are triggered by loud noises like fireworks and sudden shouting. Others find everyday noises like chewing, slurping and coughing to be unbearable. For some people with noise sensitivity, these sounds can cause intense emotional reactions. Ear plugs often are incorporated into a misophonia toolkit. However, ear plugs often make misophonia worse, because the ears must work harder to search for sound. Once the ear plugs are removed, sounds may appear more intense. The earplugs are great (at least for me) for going out into the world and normalizing the noise around you. They can make you feel less overwhelmed and anxious. They could work if you wanted to see a movie at a theater. It depends on the person. I went to see a movie recently, and these things did wonders. But, they don’t filter out my worst trigger well enough: “S” sounds. If I was to be talking to someone who put a strong emphasis on their “s” sounds, I would get uncomfortable and upset, and want to flee the situation to calm myself.

I have the impression that no one understands my noise sensitivity and that they think I’m being dramatic.

You’re ideally looking to get an appointment with an ENT specialist (ear, nose and throat specialist) or an audiologist. Between 20dB and 25dB will reduce the volume more, but you'll still hear loud sounds. These are popular for sleep and concerts. More than 25dB, and you'll experience a lot of noise reduction and even silence depending on your hearing. Some people need this level of quiet for sleep. With the standard Flare Calmer in situ, I headed out. Since I was about twelve, I’ve always worn earbuds in my ears when I’m out and about walking, even if I'm alone. This has led to a few too many close calls with speeding drivers and even some unsavoury characters – so this was a big deal for me. A patient should carry foods that simulate a negative response when they are being eaten by others (eg, apples, chips).