The image of someone wide awake in the middle of the night as their partner snores away is the stuff of sitcoms. In real life, it’s not so funny. In addition to being problematic for the sufferer, sleeping with a snorer can really impact your quality of life! It can lead to sleep deprivation which can impact your ability to function safely and normally. Even the simple act of driving to work can be deadly if you’re exhausted.
Just How Loud is Snoring?
Sound is measured in decibels, and snoring is pretty high on that sale. Most snoring is between 60 and 90 decibels. To put that in perspective, a vacuum cleaner is about 70 decibels. A garbage disposal is about 80 decibels. Even a 60 decibel snore mimics the roar of a conversation in a restaurant.
That may not be ear piercingly loud, but it’s certainly enough to disturb your sleep. You need a decent pair of ear plugs to preserve your health and well being.
Getting to The Bottom of Loud Snoring
Before we delve into the subject of ear plugs, let’s address snoring itself. If you can find the cause of your partner’s snoring, it may be possible to fix the problem altogether.
There are many reasons people snore. Some snore only when they’re suffering from allergies, a cold, or sinus infection that causes their nasal passages to swell. Then there’s positional snoring. If you’ve ever seen your loved one stop snoring once they roll over in bed, there’s a good chance they’re a positional snorer. Obesity and alcohol consumption are also big contributors to problematic snoring.
Then there’s sleep apnea. This potentially fatal condition causes restricted breathing during sleep. Sometimes, sufferers even stop breathing altogether. As someone who sleeps next to a person with sleep apnea, you may hear them choke, gasp, and snore loudly throughout the night.
Many causes of snoring can be dealt with through lifestyle changes, and medications. Sleep apnea requires immediate help from a medical professional. Fortunately there are a variety of solutions to help with sleep apnea as well.
What Type of Snorer Are You?
There are 3 types of snorers and each need their own treatment. Take our 40 second test to see what type you are.
You Need Earplugs to Restore Your Sleep!
It can take quite a long time to get to the bottom of a snoring problem. In the meantime, you need your sleep. Your best bet is to find a set of earplugs that work great for you. Otherwise, you can suffer from many of the same effects as your partner. This includes chronic insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and reduced ability to function.
Earplugs can muffle, or even eliminate disruptive sounds. The most common ear plugs are made of soft materials such as silicone, foam, or polyurethane. They are made to be used for general noise reduction and canceling.
Disposable earplugs are the least expensive. They will reduce noises, but usually will not eliminate them. Still, they are worth a try. For less than ten dollars, you could get enough relief to begin sleeping normally again. Most disposable earplugs fit into your outer ear canal. Some are made from materials that you must mold into shape yourself. Others simply fit right into your ear canal.
If you look at a package of ear plugs, you’ll see the words ‘Noise Reduction Rating’ or the acronym ‘NRR’ along with a number. This number indicates the number of decibels by which the earplugs will reduce sounds. For example, if the NRR is 20, 60 decibel snoring would be reduced to 40 decibels. The highest NRR rating is 33.
Consider Custom Molded Earplugs
If you need a long term solution, you might consider buying a pair of custom molded ear plugs. These are professionally made earplugs that are built specifically for your ear canals. These are significantly more expensive, but they last indefinitely. Over time, buying one pair of custom-made earplugs could cost less than what you would spend on disposable ones.
You Deserve Restful Sleep
When snoring disrupts a household, everyone suffers. The snorer needs relief from their problems, but you deserve solutions as well. For your own well being, please consider using a decent pair of earplugs to restore your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
