Maximising Sleep Quality: Combining Earplugs and White Noise for Peaceful Nights

Unwanted noise can make falling asleep and staying asleep difficult. Whether you're dealing with a snoring partner, traffic, neighbours or other nighttime disturbances, choosing the right earplugs can make your sleep environment noticeably quieter.

For particularly disruptive environments, combining comfortable earplugs with white noise can provide another layer of sound masking and help create a more consistent environment for sleep.

Understanding Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

When selecting earplugs, one important factor to consider is the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). NRR is expressed in decibels and provides an indication of the level of noise reduction a hearing protection product can provide when properly fitted.

For louder nighttime disturbances such as snoring, many people prefer higher-rated foam earplugs. Mack's Maximum Protection Soft Foam Earplugs, for example, have an NRR of 33 dB.

Comfort Matters When Sleeping with Earplugs

Noise reduction isn't the only consideration. Because you'll potentially be wearing your earplugs for several hours at a time, comfort is equally important.

Ear canal size, sleeping position, material and earplug shape can all affect how comfortable a pair feels. An earplug that works perfectly for one person may feel too large or too small for another, which is why finding the correct fit matters.

Best Earplugs for Different Ear Sizes

For Medium to Large Ear Canals

For medium to larger ear canals, Mack's Maximum Protection Soft Foam Earplugs are a strong option, offering an NRR of 33 dB.

Mack's Ultra Soft Earplugs are another popular choice for sleepers looking for a combination of softness, comfort and noise reduction.

For Small Ear Canals

If standard foam earplugs feel too large or uncomfortable, a slimmer option may provide a better fit.

Mack's Dreamgirl Soft Foam Earplugs and Mack's Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs are designed with smaller or more sensitive ear canals in mind.

Not Sure Which Size? Try a Variety Pack

Everyone's ears are different, so sometimes the easiest way to find your ideal earplug is to try several options.

A Mack's Variety Earplugs Pack lets you compare different styles and fits before settling on your preferred option.

What If Earplugs Aren't Enough?

Earplugs can reduce the amount of noise reaching your ears, but particularly disruptive sounds such as loud snoring may still be noticeable.

In this situation, another option is to combine earplugs with a consistent background sound such as white noise.

Dohm White Noise Machine

The Dohm White Noise Machine provides a consistent background sound designed to help mask disruptive environmental noise.

Dohm Nova Sound Machine

Another option is the Dohm Nova Sound Machine, which provides sound masking for bedrooms and other environments where unwanted noise can be distracting.

Why Combine Earplugs and White Noise?

Earplugs and white noise approach unwanted sound in different ways. Earplugs reduce the amount of external noise reaching your ears, while white noise provides a consistent sound that helps mask remaining disturbances.

For people dealing with particularly noisy sleep environments, using both may provide a more comfortable solution than relying on either one alone.

Another Option: Reusable Sleep Earplugs

Alpine SleepDeep Reusable Earplugs

If you prefer a reusable option rather than disposable foam earplugs, Alpine SleepDeep Reusable Earplugs are specifically designed with sleeping comfort in mind.

Finding the Right Solution for Better Sleep

Choosing the best earplugs for sleeping comes down to three main considerations: noise reduction, comfort and fit.

High-NRR foam earplugs may be suitable when noise reduction is the priority, while slimmer or reusable designs may be preferable for people who place greater emphasis on comfort.

If disruptive noise remains noticeable, adding a white noise machine can help create a more consistent nighttime sound environment.