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by rkagerer 1387 days ago
Way back I used to live in an apartment with terrible noise from above at night.

I got pretty sensitive to it over time, to the point I started drafting sketches and ideas for what essentially would have been a "soundproofed coffin". The concept eventually evolved into a helmet design. But I moved out to a quieter place before actually prototyping anything.

I was similarly disappointed I couldn't find anything premade on the market. It terms of earplugs, I personally find the silicon ones worked best, shoved in tight enough to make a good seal. Sometimes I was able to cram into a contorted position with my arms holding memory foam pillows on top of my head that would further help dampen noise.

Sorry to hear about your woes. It sucks. Hang in there and don't give up. If you're able to consider resituating, don't be afraid to make noise a priority factor for the new location - noise pollution often doesn't get the consideration and attention it deserves, and people who haven't gone through it don't always realize how it can impact your health and break down your mental fortitude.

Finally, if you really are having suicidal thoughts please seek out professional help.

Sending good karma your way; I hope you're able to reclaim a corner of control.

1 comments

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out.

About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

I use these kind [1][2] of silicone ear-plugs to sleep, although I buy them in local pharmacies. Last week there was a festival where I live, with loud music and DJs at least 4:00 am, and it damped the noise by a lot, enough to let me sleep.

They are a bit uncomfortable to use at first, but I got used to them in 2/3 nights.

[1] https://kathmandu.imgix.net/catalog/product/6/1/61247_earplu...

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Silicone-Earplugs-Reduction-...

thanks
I'm guessing it's something similar to these, they come in different brand names depending on which country you're in and I can highly recommend them, having tried many different earplugs myself. Much more effective than the foam types and almost as cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/d...

The silicone earplugs have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 22dB. I use these, which have a NRR rating of 33dB:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051U7W32

I don't like using them full size because they tend to make my ear sore when worn for long periods, so I cut about 1/4" off the smaller end. I wash mine when I take a shower, so this bottle of 50 pairs has lasted nearly 10 years.

I have tinnitus caused by working in a computer room with loud blowers, and wearing ear plugs most of the time helps a lot. Good luck!

Yep, those are the ones. I roll one into a ball then push it in.

The silicone deforms to the shape of your [outer-ish] ear canal, and is a bit tacky which helps create a better seal and maintain it through the night. Cheap and worth a shot.

thanks, this is a type I never tried before