Noise protection tips?

Man, the noise in my new apartment is absolutely driving me insane. Does anyone know if there’s anything out there besides those basic earplugs? I need some kind of serious ear protection or something so I can actually get a decent night's sleep without losing my mind.

What's the deal with these earplugs?

Yeah, those little ear picks help a tiny bit, but they don't really do much—it’s just a temporary fix. Honestly, I need something with some actual kick behind it.

Thomas Green96 said:The noise levels in my new apartment are driving me absolutely insane, and I was wondering if anyone knows of any alternatives to standard earplugs—maybe some kind of specialized ear protection or something else that actually works so I can get a decent night's sleep?

First off, what on earth is making all this noise?

I’m currently stuck in a massive open-plan office surrounded by twenty people, constant printer noise, and endless chatter. I can't take this noise anymore.😠😠 I need some kind of ear protection just to create a mental barrier between myself and this environment.

A construction helmet would be ideal, but obviously impractical for a cubicle. Noise-canceling headphones? Sure, but which ones actually work?
I don't want to listen to music; the audio will just start grating on my nerves after twenty minutes.

Can anyone point me in the right direction regarding where to pick up some noise-canceling sleep headphones? My backup plan is finding some high-quality earplugs that actually last, but I’m primarily interested in the headphones, assuming they're even available here in the States.

Some friends of mine from Germany picked up some Vaseline earplugs for me.
They go all the way into the ear canal.

They might be available at local pharmacies—perhaps even Walgreens—or you could try ordering them online ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ohropax-Pa...item4157be3189 ).

You can pick up those earplugs at Walgreens or CVS....

You can find options at Walgreens, or even some different versions over at local pharmacies. But if you're looking for something specifically softer to help you sleep, check out what's available on Amazon http://bit.ly/1NjAAV5

By the way, how exactly does anyone expect to sleep with earbuds in? It’s incredibly uncomfortable; most of those things are just too bulky...

Look, http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/super-leight--2 is easily one of the top options globally—we're talking a 33 dB NRR. If you check that site, you'll see several different models, so you can pick whatever fits your ears best. Just grab them via Amazon. They come in a tiny, lightweight package, which is key because shipping won't break the bank; they just show up right at your doorstep in a standard envelope. It's a solid setup. When they get dirty, just toss them in a mesh laundry bag and throw them in the washing machine. Boom. They're good for a few more rounds.

Now, if you’re actually talking about headphones instead of earplugs, they carry those too (though I have no clue how anyone sleeps with those strapped to their head. Honestly, why?)

Responding to the last two posts.

In my mind, I picture those headphones acting almost like a headband for your head, except they’d probably have some extra padding specifically where the ears sit to block out the noise. That’s how I visualize the design working. But from what I can tell, you can't find anything like that for sale here in the States.

You can't find that anywhere.

Look, here’s the situation: I live right next to a major highway, so the traffic noise is absolutely relentless, and to make matters worse, my neighbors are loud enough to drive anyone crazy.
What’s the best way to block all this racket out? Should I be looking at earplugs, or maybe those high-end noise-canceling headphones people use for music? Or is there something else entirely that actually works? I need something with serious isolation. Thanks.

Earplugs are fine, though I wouldn't recommend them if you have any other way to block out the noise. What kind of windows are you working with? High-quality vinyl windows can do a decent job at dampening outside sounds. Unfortunately, none of that matters if you're dealing with loud neighbors living above, below, or right next to your apartment.

I've been rocking earplugs for years now—anything else just feels way too bulky when I'm trying to sleep on my side.
You should give EarPlanes a shot. Honestly, they're the only ones that actually work for me without being super uncomfortable. Just a heads up though, if someone starts banging on the walls, nothing is gonna save you.
Just ask the pharmacist at the drugstore.