While the foam earplugs in an airline kit can give you a quieter flight, they are a temporary fix. Whether you need to reduce your partner's snoring or the barking from next door, custom-made earplugs are a more effective long-term answer. When you are sleeping beside a snorer, comfort matters as much as attenuation.

What is wrong with disposable earplugs?

Disposable foam earplugs are cheap, soft and comfortable to sleep in. But foam is porous, which makes it a good breeding ground for bacteria, and dirty earplugs can irritate the ear canal. If you use foam, keep them clean and replace them regularly.

The bigger issue is consistency. Foam depends on being rolled and inserted correctly every single time, and most people do not manage that half asleep at midnight. The figure on the packet was measured in a laboratory on a correctly inserted plug.

Why silicone works better for sleep

Silicone can be moulded to the contours of your ear, so the seal is repeatable and the plug sits low enough not to press against a pillow. Most people stop noticing they are wearing them.

Hearsafe supplies Elacin Relax Custom Earplugs, made from medical-grade silicone with a softness of 40 Shore. (Shore is a measure of how resistant a material is to permanent indentation.) If you would rather try a universal fit first, the Elacin Universal Relax is a lower-cost version of the same idea.

Why Elacin Relax?

The earmoulds are hollow, which keeps them comfortable across a full night and suits side sleepers, students, frequent travellers, shift workers and partners of people who snore.

Can I still hear an alarm or warning signal?

Elacin Relax has no acoustic filter - it seals the ear canal for maximum attenuation. Sound still reaches you through the nose, mouth and bones (bone conduction), so alarms and warning signals generally remain perceptible. If hearing your alarm is critical, test it before you rely on it. We go into this properly in will earplugs block my alarm.

What if I am a side sleeper?

Side sleepers need a low-profile plug that will not press into the ear when your head is on the pillow. Custom-moulded plugs are shaped from an impression of your own ear, so they sit flush rather than protruding, which is usually where standard sizes cause trouble. There is more detail in best earplugs for side sleepers.

Browse the range

See the full sleep earplugs and night-time protection range, or read best earplugs for sleeping: what works for a wider comparison of foam, reusable and custom options.

If you have questions about any of our products, call 1300 425 496 or see our frequently asked questions.