SLEEPING BEAUTIES

Sabrina Sahota picks the best earplugs for a good night's kip

- Sabrina Sahota

Whether it's traffic outside your window or a snoring partner beside you, it can often be a struggle to get a good night's sleep. A pair of the best earplugs for sleeping can help to reduce the sound of these distractions and improve the quality of your shuteye.

These little buds come in several varieties: foam, silicone, wax and even sleep headphones. Choosing the right one can be tricky, according to Dr Siobhán Brennan, lead clinical scientist in audiology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. “To maximise quality of sleep, comfort will be important,” she said. “There may be an element of trial and error to find a material that is most comfortable for the wearer. The comfort will depend on both how it feels to sleep on and also how the material feels against your skin.”

It’s important to note that earplugs for sleeping aren’t designed to be noise-cancelling. Each comes with an SNR figure (single number rating), which is the average noise reduction they provide, in decibels. They will minimise noise to an extent, but you'll still be able to hear crucial sounds such as alarms or your baby crying.

To benefit from the best noise reduction from your earplugs, it’s important to follow the instructions so they are inserted correctly. Dr Brennan says, “For most types, it can be easier to insert earplugs while gently pulling the outer ear (pinna) back a little, as this can slightly expand the entrance of the ear canal, and then inserting the earplug with the other hand. It takes practice, though, and using a mirror can help.” As for foam eaplugs, “it is usually necessary to squeeze them before putting them in, then after they are in, holding them in place for a few seconds while they expand”, she adds.

Taking expert advice into consideration, I spent weeks testing a selection of earplugs across different materials and price points.