|  | Family Health | Womens Health

The Best Sleeping Earplugs for Ladies

Fifty percent of all American adults snore at least occasionally, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. If you're sharing a bed with a snorer, or have to deal with nighttime noise, you're probably not getting the rest you need. Ear plugs are one solution, but you need to pick the best type for your needs and preferences.

  1. About Earplugs

    • Earplugs are supposed to fit comfortably while blocking out sound. Though drugstores sell large bottles of earplugs for a few dollars, there are also high-end earplugs available. Ulrich Boser, a Slate magazine writer, subjected eight brands to a series of tests, including sleeping, running up and down stairs, and operating a jack hammer.

    Best Sticky Ear Plugs

    • If you don't like the idea of stuffing something down your ear canal or just don't like the feel of foam earplugs, Boser recommends Flents Ear Stopples -- made of cotton wax and cotton -- and Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone ear plugs. Both brands are designed to flatten out, blocking the entrance to your ear canal. Boser reports both do an acceptable job blocking sound; however, since they're sticky, they pick up dust and hair. That might be a problem if you have pets that you allow in your bedroom.

    Best Foam Earplugs

    • Foam earplugs, according to Boser, tend to work better than sticky earplugs, are less expensive and do a better job of staying clean. ConsumerSearch.com recommends Howard Leight Max earplugs as well as Hearos Ultimate Softness earplugs. Howard Leight makes a standard earplug as well as a smaller earplug for women, which might be a good choice if you have a small head.

    Considerations

    • Earplugs don't work unless you use them correctly. If using sticky earplugs, follow the manufacturer's directions. Consumer Reports Health Blog has a video on how to insert foam earplugs. Using earplugs correctly ensures you'll get the quiet you need to rest without any risk of doing damage to your ears. Stop using earplugs and consult your doctor if you get any itching, discharge or other signs of infection.

Womens Health - Related Articles