Proper sleep is crucial for enhancing various aspects of health; however, more than a third of adults in the United States are not getting enough sleep, as reported by the CDC. For individuals experiencing sleep disturbances due to noise, new options such as reusable earplugs and sleep earbuds may provide more convenience than traditional foam earplugs.
A comprehensive month-and-a-half evaluation was conducted on earplugs and earbuds priced between $50 and $300 to determine their efficacy and value. This evaluation sought to assess whether investing in earbuds specifically designed for sleep is beneficial.
It was noted that sleep earbuds are distinct from regular earbuds. Traditional earbuds can be cumbersome when lying on one’s side, often protruding and causing discomfort. Furthermore, their battery life is generally limited to six to seven hours, risking interruption due to power-off sounds during longer sleep periods.
Conversely, sleep earbuds, such as the Soundcore A20, offer a slimmer profile, white noise options, improved battery life, and greater comfort, allowing users to wear more than one earbud simultaneously. Although many lack active noise cancellation, passive noise cancellation combined with a proper fit sufficiently reduces most nighttime noises.
In terms of safety, using earbuds during sleep every night is generally safe but requires attention to factors like hygiene, noise levels, and comfort. Dr. Ashley Kita, an otolaryngologist and assistant professor at UCLA, advised that addressing the root causes of noise, such as a partner’s snoring, can also be important, as snoring might be a sign of undiagnosed conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
Regarding hygiene, prolonged earbud usage can lead to wax buildup, potentially trapping bacteria and increasing infection risk. Regular cleaning of earbuds, for example with isopropyl alcohol, is recommended to mitigate this risk.
Noise levels should be monitored to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, which is a common type of hearing impairment. According to OSHA, it is crucial to maintain exposure to safe decibel levels, which for sleep earbuds such as Ozlo’s, tops out at a safer 75 dB. Dr. Kita advises keeping the volume as low as possible.
Comfort is also paramount, as improper fitting earbuds can lead to earaches and negatively impact ear health. The shape of ear canals varies among individuals, so selecting appropriately fitting earbuds is essential.
The assessment identified top sleep earbud models, emphasizing their performance in areas such as comfort, noise cancellation, and usability, offering insights into the best options for those seeking to enhance their sleep quality through technological solutions.
