Life Extension Natural Sleep
HIMALAYA ACUPRESSURE MAT/ Bed of nails color LAVENDER Amazon awarded TOP SELLER!!!
I love this mat!!! It is the best way for me to fall asleep. After laying on the mat for a few minutes I begin to feel immediately relaxed and it is very easy for me to fall asleep.
I have also noticed that I no longer have lower back aches. I have also used the mat on my face, on my legs and arms. I've used it to increase blood circulation. This mat has helped significantly. I also lay my head down on it if I have a headache. This mat also helps with that...probably because of the increase in blood flow and it targets trigger points.
Whatever it is....it works! I'm going to get this as a gift for my friends and loved ones!I bought the mat a few weeks ago and I've been using it since then. It's amazing how just a few minutes on it can take the day's stress off your back! I highly recommend it.
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I saw this matt on the Dr Oz show and was curious. I looked it up for more information. Once recieving the matt I was a little hesitant to use it but once I did I feel great. Very relaxed after lying on this little wonder matt. It does take some getting used to but the recommended five minutes to start with is a good guide. Buy it, use it and feel great after a stressful day at work. Also very good after a fitness work out too.I ordered this hoping it would take away the pain from the ruptured disc's in my neck and torn rotator cuff. I gotta say, It WORKS!!! Of course most would say that's because your focused on a gazillion pins sticking in your back... BUT, WRONG! It's a feeling that is a tad difficult to explain...until you really try it yourself. But a sense of warmth comes over you and once you find a comfy spot.. it's Great!I put it on the floor and place a rolled towel under to cradle my neck and it feels fantastic! I watch TV and before you know it, you've been on it for 45 minutes! When Im done I put on Penetrex [..] WHICH is BEYOND amazing and Im Pain FREE for the night!
My hubby and son thought I was NUTS---saying how could THAT feel good??--LoL! So they decided to try it too, and NOW we have to fuss with who gets to use it first!... and btwmy son is 11 yrs. old and he LOVES this mat... He takes a shower and then lays on the mat before bed. It really is relaxing, the only thing that smarts a wee bit...is, when you go to get up, it is a little uncomfortable, but seriously... if my 11 year old can suck it up, so can I! lol... All I can say is don't knock it UNTIL you try it because... what seems like a, ""You've gotta be kidding me"" product, could really make a difference for your body in so many positive ways! I absolutely, foresee another purchase before long!
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I was excited about the Himalaya mat but when it arrived I cut myself trying to get it in the cloth cover and it was much smaller than indicated and of very poor quaility.Adaptive Sound Technologies Ecotones Duet Sound Therapy Relaxation Sleep Machine with Bonus Sleep Th
- Adaptive Sound Technology listens and reacts to the environment - Adjusting the volume automatically if it gets noisier
- 10 high quality natural sound recordings create the most realistic and natural sleep environment possible
- Three richness settings control a broad range of additional sounds for optimal sleep conditions
- Optional sleep timer and display controls provide optimal night time operating environment
- Includes BONUS ultra-thin speakers that fit under your pillow so you can surround your head with sound for enhanced therapy
The first night I used the machine, it effectively masked the sound, but I wasn't used to it and didn't sleep very well. However, with each use I have found it more conducive to restful sleep, as well as extremely effective in masking unwelcome noise. I like all of the "SoundStories" except the "white noise," which just sounds like static. I don't find the "campfire" very restful, either, but that's because living in an old row house makes one rather wary of the sound of flames! I have found that, as the instructions say, a lower "richness" level is more calming for sleeping.
I opted for this model because it came with pillow speakers at the same cost as the model without them. I now see that the model without pillow speakers is being offered at a lower price. In my opinion, the pillow speakers are not very effective, and it makes sense to pay less and do without them. I like to use earphones with mine, which allows the SoundStories to even more completely mask the external ruckus. My little girl loves listening to the machine through its normal speakers.
In short, my recommendations:
1) Stick with the machine for a few tries and get used to it.
2) Enhance its effectiveness by using earphones.
3) Don't be put off by Ecotones' relatively higher price compared with other brands. Based on the consumer reviews I've read of the other types, it's worth paying more for something that's effective and pleasant to use.I have tried a couple of these machines in the last year. Most were pretty poor quality, with poor reproduction and a clear breakpoint where the recording recycles. Not so the Duet. It has long recordings with seamless overlap. I like the Ocean best for sleeping, and the Meditation setting actually helps concentration. Top quality, I recommend it.
We just moved into a new apartment in NYC and were quite dismayed by the noisy upstairs neighbors and the occasional street nuts keeping us awake at night. The sounds we were dealing with were: stomping feet, thumping base from a stereo, late night TV, children playing in the hallway, the occasional car alarm, etc. Ahhh, New York City!
After a bit of research (price vs. quality) we decided to take a chance on the Ecotones Duet. The first night we set it for "Brook" with complete sound stories and lo and behold, not only did it mask all the annoying sounds, but within 30 minutes, we were both fast asleep. The timer was set for 90 minutes...and while we did not hear it fade...it was definitely off when we woke. At last!!! We can sleep again!
The "Adaptive Sound Technology" is great. Except if you start chatting in bed. It gets louder to cover up your speech.
We tried a few of the different settings to see which one masked the sounds better and found that for us that "Brook" was the thing. My wife really didn't like "Ocean". And the crickets in the "Meadow" were a bit overwhelming for our purposes. (And we found "other pleasures" from the fireplace sound. Light a candle, for a little more atmosphere, guys, and off you go.)
But truly, this machine can deal with a large variety of different sound issues. It gives you a lovely sounds cape to listen to, with random sounds breaking the monotony of a simple repetitive sound. Occasionally one can imagine little pieces of wood sloshing past, or a bird or squirrel rustling near the water's edge...next thing you know...it's morning and you've had another blissful night of sleep.I definitely like the sound from this machine I thought I would use white noise because I am used to keeping a bathroom vent fan on, but I like the waterfall sound. I use it to drown out my husband's snoring. It has worked pretty well, not perfect. He still wakes me up sometimes :) I also can't get the automatic sound adjustment feature to work. I tried to test it by making noise and nothing happened. So I just set it for the night and as I was trying to fall asleep, it kept getting quieter when there was no noise in the room? So I turn that off and just leave it on a steady volume. It stinks because I paid the high price for this feature, but since I like the noise, I am keeping it anyway. Would recommend, but it is expensive.I originally purchased the Sound Therapy Machine to cover out subtle dog noises very unwelcomed by my non-dog loving partner. So-so with that, but I found I love it when I work on my dissertation at home. The sound quality is really nice and the sounds are well done. I'm partial to brook and ocean. Thank you and good luck. This is a nice product.I was leery to purchase this product at first because of some of the negative reviews. I'm really glad I listened to the good reviews. So far this product is wonderful.
Pros:
* Small, but well made and solid.
* The sounds are high class. They sound great! My favorite is the bonfire, my wife's is the city.
* Options galore! Many sounds to choose from. You can keep it simple or juice the sounds up by adjusting the settings.
* The adaptive setting works well. I'm told that it still doesn't drown out my snoring however, but wifey just kicks me...problem solved.
Cons:
*Honestly, nothing yet. If I run into any problems, I'll update this review.
Calcium Pyruvate Energy Enhancer 60 Caps by Swanson Ultra
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California Consumers Proposition 65 requires sellers to notify California consumers of substances that are in many foods, plants, herbs and supplements with the following warning. WARNING: These products contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.Here's a link to a technical article RE: the LEAD found in Calcium Pyruvate (and other supplements).
Read Best Reviews of Calcium Pyruvate Energy Enhancer 60 Caps by Swanson Ultra Here
Macks Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs Value Pack, 6-Count (Pack of 2)
The best ones I found were Flents Ear Stopples SoftWax/Cotten; Howard Leight MAX; Ohropax; Bio Ears with Microban; and "World's Finest Natural Ear Plugs." None of them work as well or fit as well as MACKS. PERIOD. They have various kinds of problems among them such as letting in noise, not staying put, being too hard to conform to your ears, etc.
Yes, I know some people have commented that they can get dirty and feel a little sticky. Well they work better BECAUSE they are a little sticky so they stay in place and don't develop a gap during the night when you move your head and let the noise in. If you keep them in the container they came in instead of sitting them out then they won't pick up dust.
A close second would be the Worlds Finest Earplugs that are made out of essentially the same kind of material silicone. But they are not as pliable as MACKS and not quite as tacky so they start out good but then in the middle of the night they let in some noise around the edges.
No, I don't work for MACKS or have anything to do with them or gain from sales or own any stock. I'm just writing this to help other people who have suffered through years of not being able to sleep through SNORING. THESE THINGS WORK!!!!!!! :):):)My son snores very heavily, so on a ski trip with him last week, I asked him to wear Breathe Right strips. Instead of doing that, he gave me 2 of these Mack's plugs to wear, and I slept so soundly that I never even heard my cell's alarm go off at 7 A M, 5 mornings in a row. They lasted fine for the 5 nights. I'm on line with Amazon now to buy some and wanted to share my results.
Buy Macks Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs Value Pack, 6-Count (Pack of 2) Now
I use Mack's earplugs pretty much all the time to deal with issues I have with noise. 12+ hours a day ( and in public places like shopping and libraries) would not be that unusual for me (I can just hear the comments now, heh!) With that much usage, there are a few points to let you have comfortable and long wearing experience.1. The earplugs should be a cone shaped 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide at the top. They need to be wetted in order to insert well. A little water or spit does the job. When firmly seated, they will create a strong seal and noise just STOPS dead. If they slip out, they will not seal well and are pretty much useless to stop noise or water. About 2 days of use before I put them aside to get washed and grab another (used) pair.
2. The earplugs can be WASHED and reused many, many times. The best way to wash is to place in the washing machine with a few lint free cloths, low water setting, and a little detergent and bleach. They come out sticky like they were when new. Even old ones will yellow but work well, especially after they warm up and become softer in your ear. When they become too hard and dried out, throw them away.
3. The size they come in the package are TOO SMALL for me. I take about a 1/5 of one of the plugs and add it to the earplug WHEN I FIRST USE THEM. You can tell if they are too small if they are hard to remove from your ear. If they are too BIG, they will be uncomfortable when lying on them. The extra piece will pretty much stick in but has a tendency to start separating again after a couple dozen wearings. Be careful that you do not let the separate piece fall off in your ear. Never happened to me yet, but...
4. Mack's are GREAT for swimming. Inserted properly, they will keep water pretty much out. Never completely dry but really close.
5. Used with a white noise generator (Dohm-DS), the plugs will pretty much guarantee a goods nights sleep even with snoring, cars, or barking dogs.
6. Mack's work well for loud tool usage and I don't have to worry about bulky mufflers.
7. Works well in airplanes but be careful about altitude changes. Pull them out occasionally to let the pressure change. Nothing like flying without the noise of the engines or passengers.
These things have given me years of peace and quiet and sleep. I have plenty stashed away in case of the apocalypse. If you have any issue with noise, this is the way to handle it. It may take a few weeks of wearing in order to get used to them but its worth the time.
Read Best Reviews of Macks Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs Value Pack, 6-Count (Pack of 2) Here
This is a great product that works superbly, BUT you can find them cheaper at Walmart. Don't let the "Pack of 2" fool you, this is actually ONE package of 12 individual earplugs (6 pairs).Want Macks Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs Value Pack, 6-Count (Pack of 2) Discount?
I've tried all types of earplugs for sleeping, and this is the only type that is comfortable enough for use all night. I find them extremely useful for getting a good night's sleep, and very comfortable.They block out noise well enough not sure whether the noise reduction is as much as the strongest foam plugs, but at least it's close.
It's important to apply them as directed they need to stick to your outer ear. Ear wax, dirt, etc. can keep them from sticking properly; that's the main reason you need to discard them after a few uses. Don't insert them into the ear canal.
Lose and Snooze - Liquid Weight Loss
Let's be clear from the start. I bought this product strictly for WEIGHT LOSS! Anything else would b icing on the cake.
I started taking it just before Christmas 2010. Because I'm 50 lbs over. And 59 yrs old. I chose to take double doses the 1 Tsp didn't seem enough.
Well I'm almost done with my 1st bottle and I've noticed NO WEIGHTLOSS, NO DIFFERENCES, NADDA, ZIP ZERO NOT ONE FRIGGIN POUND. And I haven't slept better.
According the product info. To get the best weightloss results you need to fast on 400-500 cals. one day eat reg next. I've been doing that. Didn't make any difference.
So I did my homework. I looked up studies on these product ingredients..
And there just wasn't anything to support weightloss using this or the other ingredients in this product. All the studies advocated it's use for joint and muscles repair. Not weightloss.
What I (THINK) I have noticed is a little renewal of my energy level. So I decided to join my local Curves. And while there I think I have more energy to workout. And I feel I'm not so tired when I'm done.
I'm not going to send the product back I'm going to finish it cause I do like the renewed energy. But I'm not convinced It's the product or just me.
Then I'll buy all the listed ingredients in veggie cap form It's alot cheaper.
I wouldn't waste my money on this overly expensive product just for weightloss/sleep.
I don't know if people who say it worked believed what they wanted and convinced themselves it did. I just know for me NOT SO MUCH! But there is this one thing in their favor reports do state it can take up to 8 wks to show results.
04/26/11 Revision...I did end up sending 1 empty bottle and 2 full back. There just wasn't any reason to keep something that wasn't working..so to get my full refund within the 30 days I requested a RA on the 30th day. I wanted to give it every oppertunity to work. But in the end back it went and they did refund the full amount (-) shipping.
VERY, VERY DISSAPOINTED...WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!!
Kirkland Sleep Aid Doxylamine Succinate 25 mg, 192 tablets
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Relax Caps - 60 - Capsule
Nature's Gate Advanced Skin Care Oh What A Night
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I first tried this about a year ago and immediately put it on auto-delivery. It smells fantastic, goes on smoothly, absorbs well and doesn't irritate my eyes which most moisturizes do because of the volatile fragrance additives. I love that it is organic and my skin looks incredible. I am 56 and people always think I'm closer to 40 :) A jar lasts a little more than a month. I find it works better than any high-priced department store moisturizer I've ever tried and I've used more than my fair share.Read Best Reviews of Nature's Gate Advanced Skin Care Oh What A Night Here
I have used this cream for about the past 5-6 months and my skin loves it! (I would describe my early 40s skin as fairly "normal" to medium dry, especially in winter, with a small oil t-zone.)Pluses:
-My face really does feel and look noticeably "dewy" and moisturized in the morning. (I can count on a few fingers the number of times a skin product has followed through on promises.)
-This cream manages to feel simultaneously rich and light but not greasy. I was concerned about the small size for the price. But I found that a few well-placed small dabs (forehead, each cheek, chin, etc.) worked well enough. A single jar lasted me quite a while because this cream did NOT need to be slathered on like some other creams or lotions.
-No resulting burning, redness, bumps or other sensitive skin negative reactions.
-The scent is sweet and not unpleasant. (In fact, I rather liked it.)
Minus:
My only minor gripe is that the company could have perhaps used more efficient/hygienic packaging, i.e., a pump or tube instead of a finger-dipping jar.
Off course, your mileage may vary. As with all face products, I would recommend checking out the ingredients, if possible on Amazon or another site, prior to buying, especially if a person has known allergies or sensitivities. :)
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as a new user of Nature's Gate, I will say so far I like this night cream..in the winter I may need a bit more moisture, but I use organic oils as well so that should help...I use the cleanser and the daytime moisture as well. no problems or negatives...love the texture and slight scent....Schiff Melatonin Plus 3 mg Melatonin with 25 mg Theanine - For Stress Relief and a Sounder Sleep - 3
kirkland Signature Nighttime sleep aid - 96 Tablets
For people who have problems with it leaving you drowsy the next morning, try breaking the pill in half and only take half of it. My first time taking this I slept for 13 hours and woke exhausted the next day, but I only took half the next time, and had no issues whatsoever. Even after using this for awhile, I only ever need half of the pill to fall and stay asleep without drowsiness the next day. And by only taking half, the bottle lasts twice as long!For the last 10 years or so I've had problems sleeping. It takes forever to unwind my mind enough to fall asleep and then I toss and turn all night and wake up several times and have a hard time getting back to sleep, if I'm able to at all. It's very frustrating to wake up at 2 in the morning and not be able to get back to sleep. So I looked up sleep aids and found these and I take it about 30 minutes before I go to bed and I sleep all night long. To someone who doesn't struggle with sleep, you have no idea how good that feels to finally get a solid night's sleep! Even if I wake up in the night, I fall right back to sleep. When I wake up, I am a little groggy. Nothing bad, it's just different for me because I'm used to having instant energy the minute I wake up. Now I need to kind of ease into my day and I actually like that, I feel human again.
If this has side effects, I'm not aware of it yet. But I imagine never getting any sleep has side effects that are just as or more dangerous for me than taking this at night does. I'm happy to be getting some deep sleep though.
*Update* I found if I cut the dose in half, I still sleep great but I'm not groggy the next day. So for days that I know I'll need full energy as soon as I wake up, I cut the dose in half the night before.
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The active ingredient in this sleep aid is much better than diphenhydramine. It works very well it is comfortable and leaves me feeling good the next morning.Read Best Reviews of kirkland Signature Nighttime sleep aid - 96 Tablets Here
Before resorting to OTC medications, I try natural remedies, but every so often they fail and I find myself unable to sleep. What sold me on this was the boast that one wakes up without feeling groggy and there is only one small pill as opposed to two large ones.I must say that it worked quickly--I was out within fifteen minutes and stayed asleep for about seven hours, but the little pill is disgusting. (I learned that the hard way. It's best to down it right away, rather than letting it rest on the tongue for any duration, or with a flavored beverage.)
I was groggy upon waking and suffered from a bit of dry mouth and a minor lack of coordination (beyond typical morning grogginess), but these side effects weren't nearly as bad as with some other OTC sleep aids. I found that these symptoms were lessened if I drank a full bottle (16.9 fl oz) of water with the pill or if I drank the bottle upon waking it would only last for about ten minutes.
All in all, for the price and effectiveness, this is a winner.
(*The active ingredient in this sleep aid is also an active ingredient used in NyQuil.)
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This is a great sleep aid for the money. I've never used a prescription sleep aid, and with all the negative side effects I'm trying really hard not to. But this product does the trick, and I'm not drowsy the next day. The only down side is that it tastes horrible, even though it's taken with water.SleepRight NO-BOIL Dental Guard Slim-Comfort
Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Warm Milk & Honey Body Wash and Foam Bath 10 fl oz (295 ml)
TeresaVery disappointed because the picture doesn't match the product that I wanted. I received a similar product with vanilla in it.If you like the Warm Milk and Honey body lotion by Bath & Body Works you will probably like this as well. Like the lotion it's very soothing, and has an intoxicating fragrance, although, I this the body wash has a little more of a citrus smell. I highly recommend.
Jennifer K. Lafferty
Author of Offbeat Love Stories and MoreThey never have this product in the stores at Bath and Body Works, so I am just happy that I have found another place that I can get it from when I run out.
Hearos Ultimate Softness, 20-Pair Foam (Pack of 2)
The plugs can be a bit tricky to insert, but once they're in there they are comfortable and don't stick out from your ear -the other plugs I used stuck out quite a bit and caused discomfort when smooshed against a pillow. The only problem with using these ear plugs when sleeping is that they are a little TOO good at blocking out sounds, so I've slept through my alarm a few times... and I'm a pretty light sleeper. So, I wouldn't recommend them if you're a heavy sleeper that needs to make it to an 8:00am meeting.
I gave these ear plugs 5 stars because they are the ultimate combination of comfort and effectiveness... and I can finally get a restful sleep!
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From a review of three earplugs, these came in first:1st place: Hearos Ultimate Softness, 20-Pair Foam (Pack of 2)
2nd place: Quiet Time Comfort Foam Ear Plugs 50 Pair
3rd place: Hearos Xtreme Protection, 14-Pair Foam (Pack of 3)
(they're basically ranked in decreasing softness, since all three block out sounds well)
The following were excluded as they did not fare well in the following review:
Flents Quiet! Please Noise Reducing Ear Plugs 50 Pair NRR 29
and Howard Leight Max-1 Ear Plugs, Uncorded, NRR33, 200 PR / box
w w w . s l a t e . c o m / i d / 2 1 1 8 8 0 0 /
or read the first review found in google with the search term: best ear plugs
The Hearos Ultimate Softness ear plugs were the winners for my ears because they had the right combination of comfort and noise reduction. Some notes: 1) my ear canals are probably narrower than average, so even these tended to generate pressure when worn; of course this can't be avoided since that's how sound is blocked out. But these were definitely the softest out of the three. 2) All three (and probably all ear plugs) don't reduce as effectively lower frequency sounds. They are very good at reducing sounds at the frequency range of music, voices, typing sounds, etc., but not so good at blocking out sounds of your upstairs neighbor dragging his furniture across the floor at dawn, or his evil spawn dropping various toys on the floor.
Pros: Comfortable, effective.
Cons: In people with small ear canals or who have sensitive vestibular systems, all ear plugs, including these, will create slight nausea or discomfort.
Caveat: I have small ear canals.
Conclusion: If unable to stop the source of the noise, and if ear plugs must be used, then use these.
Note: These are rated 32dB
Read Best Reviews of Hearos Ultimate Softness, 20-Pair Foam (Pack of 2) Here
I got a little carried away comparing different brands/models of ear plugs this past week and thought I'd share my experience here. Of the following three, the Hearos Xtreme Protection are my favorite. If the length of this review looks daunting, just skip the rest and take a look at the three kinds of plugs I tried and my overall assessment of their key characteristics:HEAROS XTREME PROTECTION
Noise isolation: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Appearance/style: 4/5
HEAROS ULTIMATE SOFTNESS
Noise isolation: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Appearance/style: 5/5
HOWARD LEIGHT "SUPER LEIGHT"
Noise isolation: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Appearance/style: 3/5
I decided I needed some ear plugs after being at my wits' end from having to constantly listen to the low rumbly bass of my neighbor's stereo. It's not that it's that loud--but at any volume, constant repetition of a few single low-frequency notes really drives me crazy. I went over and knocked on the door, but no one answered; I'd bang on the wall and they'd turn it down, only to turn it up again half an hour later. I even tried expensive noise-canceling headphones (Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones) and even though they helped, they didn't eliminate the noise.
After reading many positive reviews, I opted for Hearos Xtreme Protection. They have an NRR (noise reduction) of 33, which is the highest I could find in a plug I could afford. I even checked the attenuation data on the back of the package and saw that the decibel reduction was, quizzically, even higher at the low frequencies I was hoping to eliminate. I purchased them and went home and promptly inserted a pair into my ears, which was easier than I expected. I have seen a lot of comments about how they are difficult to get the hang of inserting, but it's really a piece of cake. Just don't skip the part in the instructions about pulling on the top of your ear with your other hand, because that does make it easier to get the plug in all the way. As I heard the second plug crinkling gently as it expanded, I could almost feel the air being sucked out of my ear and a layer of silence emerging. Suddenly I was off in my own world where I could hear only my breathing and the faintest muffled sounds from outside. Once they were fully expanded, I was surprised at how comfortable they were. They exert only a slight pressure on my ears, but it's not annoying at all. My neighbor was not playing music at the time, so I couldn't test their effectiveness against it. However, several hours later I found out from my girlfriend, who had and been sitting at her own computer (in the same room) for the previous hour, that the neighbors had been playing music for quite a while. I never knew because the Hearos were doing their job that well! Tears almost came to my eyes at that realization. A caveat, though: I have another neighbor with a deafeningly loud car stereo that shakes everything in my apartment. I'm not sure these plugs will get rid of that kind of volume, but then again, I haven't heard his stereo at all since I've been wearing them. (I will update this post when I have some real information about this.)
After such a successful experiment, I decided to sleep in them. I could feel them when I was on my side, but they were not uncomfortable--just there. (I later discovered, thanks to some other reviews here on Amazon, that you can simply cut the end off of the plugs with scissors, which does not affect their sound-blocking abilities in the least.) Coupled with the fan on my window unit, I couldn't hear a thing outside of the room. No annoying neighbors, cars, or anything...I didn't wake up once. I used that first pair for about 4 days, and could have used them longer--you could wear the same pair for a week with no problem. About the only con to these plugs are the fact that they are bright blue and a bit long (though, as I mentioned, they can be cut), which means they're not exactly discreet. But if you're anything like me, you don't really care what you look like in these things as long as you don't have to listen to other people's noise. Also, and more relevant for me, is the price. At about $.60/pair in small quantities, they are the most expensive of the three. However, they are significantly cheaper if you buy them in bulk here on Amazon, especially if you are a Prime member and can get free shipping--this brings the price down to a much more reasonable $.35/pair or so.
I decided, "wow, if the first kind of plugs I tried were so great, what about the others?" Since Howard Leight Max plugs also have great reviews on Amazon, I picked some up a local C-V-S (sold as "Super Leight" in a package of 10 pairs). While I found them to be very easy to insert and extremely comfortable, they didn't seem to offer quite as much noise isolation as the Hearos Xtremes. Although they have the same NRR (33), the seal just didn't seem quite as tight, and I'm pretty sure this is the reason. Comparing the plugs side by side, the Super Leight seem just a tad smaller in diameter. As a result, they are easier to remove, which I consider a con because I would rather have earplugs stay put. However, if your ears are smaller than mine, you might find the Howard Leight's just as good, if not better, at reducing outside noise; and they would probably be more comfortable as well. Just be aware that they are hunting-jacket orange, so they are even less discreet than the Hearos XP's. However, they are the cheapest of the three plugs--if you buy 200 pair on Amazon (sold as MAX1, but I'm pretty sure it's the same plug), it brings the price down to just a dime or so per pair! Because these plugs seem to be similar in their construction to the Hearos XP, you should be able to get at least a week's worth of wear out of these plugs as well--so you're set for four years!
Just for the heck of it, I figured I might as well try the Hearos Ultimate Softness too (another plug well regarded by Amazon reviewers). Although they were comfortable, the seal was not very tight at all and they didn't seem to block nearly as much noise as the Xtremes or the Super Leights. When I compared them side by side with the Xtremes, I realized how much smaller in diameter the Ultimate Softness are, which is almost certainly the reason. They are, however, the most discreet of the bunch. They barely stick out of my ears at all, and they blend in better with my skin tone--of course, they may not blend in with yours. It would be nice if they made the same kind of plugs in different colors, but manufacturers probably think it would be more confusing for the consumer. They are a little cheaper in the drugstore than the XP, but in bulk they become quite a bit cheaper at about $0.25/pair.
Since noise-blocking is by far the most important feature for me, I'm going to stick with the Hearos Xtreme Protection. Don't take my experience as gospel, but if you have average to large ear canals (which I'm not sure how to figure out, but I figure mine must be of the larger variety), you will probably find the Xtremes to be the best noise blockers. If price is your main concern, go with the Howard Leights, which are almost as good at noise-blocking but much cheaper. If you want to do some of your own comparisons, Hearos will send you a free sample if you fill out a form on their website. If you don't want to wait 6-8 weeks, you can go to your local drugstore and spend about $10-$11 and pick up a few different brands for yourself.
If I missed anything you're curious about, leave a comment and I'll do my best to provide more information. Thanks for reading to the end!
Want Hearos Ultimate Softness, 20-Pair Foam (Pack of 2) Discount?
I did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews before deciding on which ear plugs to buy. Who knew there was so many options!?! I finally settled on these since they were getting such great reviews. To give a little background, I was shopping for ear plugs to use when sleeping since my bro and his friends were keeping me up at night. These ear plugs are really great at muffling sound. My problem is they get painful! My ears start aching after a few hours of sleep and the ache ends up waking me up. I followed the directions on inserting them, it's not rocket science, and I do have sensitive ears, so others probably won't have a problem. I'm just writing this review for others that have sensitive ears like me.
