If you or a family member have ever tried to travel with misophonia, then you know how challenging this can be for everyone! Airplanes and car rides can be excruciating for a person when they can’t escape the sounds that trigger them. So what do you do when you just want to sleep or read a book, but you’re stuck in the middle seat next to Smacky McSnacksalot?
Earplugs can be lifesavers in a situation like this. My daughter majorly struggles with misophonia, and we’ve tried so many different kinds of earplugs for her. We looked for options that provide the best noise reduction and comfort. We’re going to share our picks for the best misophonia earplugs and provide a detailed review of each product, so you can find the earplugs to best help reduce those sound triggers.
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What is Misophonia?
If you have misophonia, you experience an intense emotional reaction to specific sounds, usually repetitive sounds such as chewing, tapping, or breathing. It is a neurological condition that affects how your brain processes information, and it can lead to feelings of anger, anxiety, and disgust. My daughter has misophonia and is highly sensitive to and triggered by mouth sounds and chewing sounds, which can send her into a rage.
Misophonia is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, and it can be very challenging to manage. It took us two years before we realized my daughter’s sensitivities had a name. Unfortunately, there is not an actual medical diagnosis for misophonia and there is limited research on it at this time, which makes it difficult when you’re trying to help yourself or a child.
Misophonia can significantly interfere with your daily life, affecting your relationships, work, school, and overall mental health. However, there are ways to cope with misophonia, and one of the easiest is by using earplugs.
While not a cure-all and something that should be worn all day, misophonia earplugs can help reduce the impact of triggering sounds for periods of time, such as on a flight or when dining out on vacation. There are lots of earplugs available, and finding the right one for you can make a significant difference in managing your misophonia.
Best Misophonia Earplugs for Travel
If you’re someone who suffers from misophonia or you parent a child with misophonia, you know how difficult it can be to cope with certain sounds. Whether it’s the sound of someone chewing or making mouth sounds when talking, misophonia can cause a range of emotional and physical responses.
Fortunately, there are earplugs available that can help reduce the impact of these sounds. Below is a list of the best misophonia earplugs that can help you find some relief.
Flare Calmer – Ear Plugs Alternative – Reduce Annoying Noises Without Blocking Sound – Soft Reusable Silicone – Mint
If you’re looking for a comfortable and effective way to reduce noise-related stress and sensory overwhelm, Flare Calmer earplugs are a great solution.
Pros
Calmer is an alternative to traditional earplugs that reduce your stress response to annoying noises without blocking all sound.
Calmer features a unique technology that reduces stressful frequencies.
Calmer is completely hollow, letting your ears breathe and preventing waxy build-up.
Cons
The sizing is a little confusing, and they can be a bit too big, so they might squeeze themselves out of your ears.
Sound reduction isn’t enough for some people if there’s not a lot of background noise.
Flare Calmer earplugs are made from a safe, soft, and durable silicone that is easy to clean. They come in four colors (Grey, Translucent, Purple, Mint), and their discreet design means you can wear them without feeling self-conscious about having them in your ears.
Calmer helps anyone who experiences sound sensitivity but doesn’t want to feel isolated from the world. With Calmer, the sound is accurately directed into your ears, reducing your stress response and making trigger sounds such as busy places, eating and chewing, electric buzz, traffic, cutlery scraping, and tapping less annoying and much more manageable.
Flare Calmer earplugs come in one standard size that fits 90% of users. Only choose Mini if standard-size earphones don’t fit when using the smallest tips. Calmer features patent-pending technology and has also been independently tested by the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research. Every pair of Calmer includes 1x Flare carry pouch and a handy user guide and is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging.
In summary, if you’re looking for a comfortable and effective way to reduce noise-related stress and sensory overwhelm, Flare Calmer earplugs are definitely worth trying out.
Loop Engage Earplugs for Conversation
The Loop Engage Earplugs are another great choice if you’re looking for earplugs that block out irritating noises while still allowing you to hear conversations.
Pros
With Loop Engage, you can have conversations without feeling like you’re underwater.
These earplugs come with 4 sized tips (XS-L), so you can find the best fit for your ear canal
Loop Engage earplugs are washable and intended for long-term, repeated use.
Cons
Loop Engage earplugs reduce noise by only 16 dB, which may not be enough for very sensitive users or loud noises.
Some users may find the earplugs uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Loop Engage earplugs are designed to help you have better conversations in noisy environments. They use cutting-edge technology to limit the occlusion effect, which can make it difficult to interact with others while wearing earplugs.
One of the best things about Loop Engage earplugs is that they provide low-level noise reduction. This means that they block out excess sound without affecting the things you need to hear, like your own voice.
Loop Engage earplugs come with ear tips in four different sizes, so you can find the perfect fit. They also come with a carry case to keep them safe when you’re not using them. And because they’re washable and intended for long-term use, they’re a sustainable option for anyone who needs earplugs on a regular basis.
My daughter wore these in class most of last school year. She could still hear the teacher’s instructions, but it helped cut down on the smacking noises of other students. Plus, she loved the cute color options and the XS-sized ear tips, which made wearing them much more comfortable for her.
If you have very small ear canals and are looking for an earplug that still allows you to engage in conversations while cutting down on the irritating noises that trigger you, give the Loop Engage a try.
Hearprotek High Fidelity Concert Ear Plugs
If you’re looking for earplugs that can block out background noise at a comfortable level while maintaining sound clarity and sharpness, Hearprotek High Fidelity Concert Ear Plugs are a great option.
Pros
These earplugs can cut up to 20 dB of sound volume, making them perfect for concerts, band rehearsals, and other loud events.
The earplugs are made of high-quality silicone material that provides comfort even during prolonged use.
Hearprotek ear plugs come with a soft silicone detachable cord and a durable aluminum case with a carabiner, making them easy to carry wherever you go.
Cons
Some users may find the earplugs to be too small or too large, depending on the size of their ear canals.
The earplugs may not be as effective as some foam-based earplugs in blocking out high-frequency sounds.
The Hearprotek High Fidelity Concert Ear Plugs are designed to bring down the overall volume without muffling the sound, so you can still hear different sound frequencies and talk to people without any problems. They’re also designed for comfort, with an ergonomic curved body that follows the shape of your ear canal.
They’re designed for people to wear at concerts or other loud events when they need to lower the volume but still want to be engaged in the event. If you’re triggered by loud sounds of cutlery scraping or high frequencies, these might be the earplugs for you.
One of the best things about Hearprotek ear plugs is that they come with two sets of ear plugs in different sizes, so you can choose the size that best fits your ear canals. The earplugs are also designed to be discrete and portable, with a low-profile design and translucent or frosted plug shells that are inconspicuous and less noticeable, which I love. When my daughter is at school, the last thing she wants is a misinformed teacher asking her to take out her headphones. These are hardly noticeable at all.
Overall, these are awesome earplugs if you’re looking for discreet noise reduction, while still preserving sound clarity.
SUPCEAT Ear Plugs for Sleeping
If you’re looking for a comfortable and effective solution to block out unwanted noise while sleeping or studying, the SUPCEAT Ear Plugs for Sleeping are worth considering.
Pros
The earplugs have different noise-canceling effects in different scenes (NRR 25dB to 33dB), which helps to soften the sound source and reduce noise while preserving sound clarity and sharpness.
The earplugs are made of super soft food-grade silicone material, which is safe, reusable, and washable. The earplugs can be pulled at will without deformation.
The earplugs are designed with a bionic jellyfish and fit the ear canal 360 degrees. The non-in-ear design eliminates the need to insert them deeply into the ear canal, thus avoiding the risk of hearing loss.
Cons
The earplugs can block some noise to an acceptable volume, but not totally silent.
The earplugs come in two sizes, large and small, but some users may find neither fits their ears perfectly.
The earplugs may cause some discomfort for users with sensitive ears after extended use.
The SUPCEAT Ear Plugs for Sleeping are designed for maximum comfort and effectiveness. The soft silicone earplugs are available in two sizes to ensure a comfortable fit for most ear canal sizes. The ergonomic design fits the ear canal 360 degrees, making it suitable for side sleepers and active users. The earplugs are also breathable and comfortable, allowing for extended use without pain or discomfort.
The earplugs are made of super soft food-grade silicone material, which is safe, reusable, and washable. The earplugs can be pulled at will without deformation, making them a great value for money. The earplugs also have different noise-canceling effects in different scenes (NRR 25dB to 33dB), which helps to soften the sound source and reduce noise while preserving sound clarity and sharpness.
If breathing sounds, a snoring spouse, or rattling phlegm {shudder} are your misophonia triggers, then you should try these SUPCEAT earplugs for sleeping. They are super trigger-blocking! My daughter could not sleep in the same room with her sister for MONTHS. When we planned our trip to Europe where we’d all be in the same hotel room, finding an earplug that was comfortable enough to sleep in and would block most of her sister’s mouth and breathing noises was a godsend. Pair this with some white noise and you should be able to block out most sounds for a good night’s sleep.
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs
If you’re looking for misophonia earplugs that can reduce noise and help you focus Loop Quiet Ear Plugs might be a good choice for you.
Pros
These earplugs are made from soft silicone and provide a noise reduction rating (SNR) of 26 decibels and an NRR of 14.
They come in 4 different sizes, so you can always find the perfect fit.
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs are reusable and come in 6 stylish colors.
Cons
Some users might find them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
They might not work as well for extremely loud noises.
They can be difficult to clean.
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs are versatile and can be used in many different situations. They’re great for sleeping, studying, working, and reading. They come in eco-friendly packaging that includes 1 set of Loop Quiet ear plugs, 4 sizes of soft silicone ear tips (XS-L), and 1 handy carry case.
These earplugs are easy to insert and when you wear them correctly, they don’t stick out of your ears. They’re also easy to clean and maintain. However, some users might find them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and they might not work as well for extremely loud noises.
These earplugs work. On testing days at school, my daughter will often opt for this pair. It cuts down on most of the noise and allows her to better focus on her work. It’s also great for long car rides or airplane rides when she’s trying to get some sleep. While there are other earplugs that have greater noise reduction, she prefers this pair due to the size of the ear tips, as she prefers the XS size for her narrow ear canal.
Overall, if you’re looking for ear plugs that are stylish, reusable, and provide good noise reduction, Loop Quiet Ear Plugs might be a good choice for you.
Buying Guide
If you suffer from misophonia, earplugs can be a lifesaver to reduce the impact of trigger sounds and flying discomfort. When choosing the best misophonia earplugs, there are a few key features to consider.
Earplug Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
The NRR is a measure of how much noise the earplugs can block out. Look for earplugs with a high NRR, ideally over 25 decibels (dB) if you want to block out most loud sounds, like when you’re trying to sleep on an airplane or on a road trip. If you need to muffle sounds but still want to be able to engage in conversations, look for earplugs in the range of 10-20 NRR. Keep in mind that the NRR is not a guarantee of how much noise will be blocked out, as it can vary depending on the fit, any hearing loss, and other factors.
Earplug Comfort and Fit
Misophonia earplugs that are uncomfortable or don’t fit properly can be ineffective or even cause pain or irritation. Look for earplugs that are designed for comfort and have a good fit. Some earplugs come in different sizes or have adjustable features, like the Loop earplugs, to ensure a proper fit.
A loose ear plug can also cause problems, as you won’t get the tight seal that will reduce enough noise. Ensuring a proper fit is the first step in lessening your sensory overload.
Earplug Material
Misophonia earplugs can be made from a variety of materials, including foam, silicone, and wax. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Foam earplugs are affordable and widely available, but aren’t as durable or comfortable as other materials. Moldable silicone earplugs are reusable and can be more comfortable, but may not block out as much noise. Wax earplugs are moldable and can provide a custom fit, but may not be suitable for all users.
Additional Features
Some misophonia earplugs come with additional features, such as carrying cases. They’re so tiny and easy to lose, I prefer a carrying case that I can attach to my keys or fit in the pocket of my purse.
Wrapping Up
Misophonia is a miserable condition if misunderstood and untreated. While at this time there are no easy fixes for misophonia, finding ways to help alleviate sensory overload and reduce sound triggers is something that we can absolutely do. When planning your travels for yourself or a family member with misophonia, it’s absolutely necessary to plan ahead so you’re not overwhelmed by noise sensitivity. Having at least one pair of noise-reduction misophonia earplugs is a necessity when you are going to spend extra time in close quarters with others.
I can’t imagine how my daughter would have been able to handle a 9-hour flight without her earplugs. It made an impossible trip possible. We hope you give some of these misophonia earplug options a try and that they provide relief for your sound sensitivities as they have for us!
And if you’re traveling with a baby or toddler who is highly sensitive to sounds, then check out our list of the best noise-canceling headphones for little ones.
