Healthy sleep is important, but a lot of people struggle with sleeping comfortably at night because of noise. Noise can affect the quality of your sleep, but using earplugs can help block it out. For instance, your house might be located close to a road or a recreation center. One way or another, you will have to find a way to block out this noise if you want to sleep well. That said, below are some of the reasons why you need earplugs to improve the quality of your sleep.
Snoring partner
While some people can sleep comfortably, a lot of people find it hard to sleep with a snoring partner. And it can be annoying if you can’t sleep with the slightest noise while your partner snores the most. Having good quality ear plugs can help block out all the snoring to give you a peaceful night of sleep.
New parents
Being a new parent is exciting, but it also requires a lot of sacrifice, from waking up in the middle of the night to hold the kid when it cries to the early mornings. It requires a lot of dedication, and while you end up tired at the end of the day, you will need good sleep to re-energize for the following day. Ear plugs go a long way to providing a conducive environment for you to sleep well.
Night shift worker
Working overnight means that the only time you get to sleep is during the day when everyone else is working. And oftentimes, sleeping during the day is not the best as there are endless distractions. Worse still, if you have kids who need your constant attention, you are most likely not getting quality sleep. So, as a result, you are forced to invest in heavier and darker bedroom curtains to keep the light away, and a pair of earplugs because there is usually a lot of noise during the day.
Noisy neighborhood
When living in a busy neighborhood, chances are that there are a lot of noises outside, even during the night. So if you live in such a neighborhood and struggle to sleep at night, earplugs go a long way to help improve your sleep.
Best earplugs for sleeping
When it comes to the types of material used to make earplugs, there are three main types, each with its own advantages.
Wax – One of the biggest advantages of using wax ear plugs is that they are flexible. So, you don’t have to struggle with discomfort since they are made to mold into the size and shape of your ears. Another advantage is that they are waterproof, so you can always wear them whenever you go for a swim.
Foam – Foam ear plugs, on the other hand, are comfortable and will not irritate your ears over time. The foam is soft which makes it very comfortable to sleep in. They are also affordable but on the downside, you have to replace your pair more often than not because the material is notorious for accumulating bacteria.
Silicone – With silicone, you can choose to have either the hard or the soft ones. Having the hard ones means that you will use them for a long time but they are not the most comfortable to sleep in especially when sleeping on the side. The soft ones are more comfortable and the material is similar as the wax one. One of the biggest complaints for the soft silicone ear plugs is that they are poor noise blockers when compared to the other types of ear plugs.
Is it healthy??
One of the biggest concerns for most earplugs wearers is safety. You want to know if the material used to make your earplugs will affect you or not. You would also want to know if using earplugs every night is harmful. From causing headaches to ear infections, tinnitus, pressure and wax buildup, and headaches. These are some of the health concerns linked with earplug use. While they are safe and comfortable, they are linked with wax buildup and infections. So when you decide to use earplugs when sleeping ensure to do enough research so you know what to expect.
Bottom line
Earplugs will serve the purpose, but you also need to know the side effects of using them for a prolonged period of time. Depending on your priorities, you can always find earplugs best for sleeping whether you are looking for something affordable, durable, or comfortable. And when buying earplugs for sleeping, ensure to ask your vendor what material they are made of.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.