{"product_id":"silicone-ear-plugs","title":"Silicone Ear Plugs | Reusable | Plastic Free","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedical-grade silicone, no foam, no PVC, no phthalates. Reusable for months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNocturnal noise raises cortisol even when you don’t wake up. ~27dB reduction, reusable, medical-grade silicone — no foam, no latex, no wax.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eMaterial\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e100% silicone\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eNRR\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e~27dB\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eType\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003ePush-in\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eReusable\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes — months of use\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMaterials\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedical-Grade Silicone\u003c\/strong\u003e (100%) — \u003cem\u003eBody\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHypoallergenic, non-porous, flexible. No latex, no PVC, no phthalates. The same silicone used in medical devices.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat we left out\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoam (polyurethane)\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Material)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFoam ear plugs are single-use and harbour bacteria within hours. Even foam plugs marketed as ‘reusable’ degrade after a few washes because the open-cell structure traps moisture and can’t be sterilised. They expand inside the ear canal, applying outward pressure. Silicone is washable, reusable for months, and sits at the canal opening without internal expansion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatex\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Material)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLatex is one of the most common contact allergens. Repeated exposure increases sensitisation risk. Medical-grade silicone is hypoallergenic and non-sensitising — the same material used in implants and medical devices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePVC (polyvinyl chloride)\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Material)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCheap ear plugs use PVC softened with phthalate plasticizers. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that leach from PVC with body heat and moisture — exactly the conditions inside an ear canal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWax\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Material)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWax ear plugs melt at body temperature, leave residue in the ear canal, and are single-use. Silicone holds its shape at body temperature and cleans with soap and water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhthalate plasticizers (DEHP \/ DINP)\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Additives)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsed to soften PVC and some foam formulations. Phthalates interfere with hormone signalling. Not present in medical-grade silicone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAntimicrobial chemical treatments\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Additives)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome ear plugs add triclosan or silver nanoparticles to combat the bacterial growth their own foam material encourages. Silicone is non-porous — bacteria can’t colonise the surface, so no antimicrobial additives are needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy we built it this way\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100% medical-grade silicone — hypoallergenic, non-porous, no latex, no PVC, no phthalates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e~27dB noise reduction — reduces background noise without eliminating alarms or doorbells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReusable for months — wash with soap and water. Foam plugs are single-use and harbour bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComfortable for side sleepers — soft silicone deforms under pillow pressure without poking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNocturnal noise increases cortisol even without waking you (Hume et al., 2012) — plugs prevent this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNight-time noise above 30dB disrupts sleep architecture (Basner et al., 2014) — these bring most environments below threshold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo foam — foam ear plugs expand inside the canal, trap moisture, and can’t be sterilised\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo wax — wax plugs melt at body temperature and leave residue. Silicone holds shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePush-in design — seals the ear canal opening, doesn’t need to be inserted deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete the sleep setup — pair with Silk Sleep Mask for light and Blue Light Glasses for screens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to use\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePick the right size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTry both sizes if included. The plug should sit snugly at the opening of your ear canal without being forced in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInsert gently\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePush the plug into your ear canal. Don’t force it deep — it should sit at the opening and create a seal by contact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck the seal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou should feel the noise drop immediately. If sound is still getting through, adjust the position or try the other size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClean after each use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWarm water, mild soap. Air dry. They’ll last months with daily use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat are the best ear plugs for sleeping?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaterial matters most. Foam plugs are single-use, harbour bacteria, and expand inside the ear canal. Wax melts at body temperature. Silicone is reusable, washable, hypoallergenic, and sits flush at the canal opening. ~27dB reduction brings most bedroom environments below the 30dB threshold where sleep disruption begins (Basner et al., 2014).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDo ear plugs actually improve sleep quality?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Nocturnal noise increases cortisol and disrupts sleep stages even when you don’t consciously wake (Hume et al., 2012). Subjective sleep quality deteriorates above 32dB (Öhrström \u0026amp; Rylander, 1990). Ear plugs bringing ambient noise below threshold let your body stay in deep and REM sleep instead of cycling to lighter stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill I hear my alarm?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. ~27dB reduction means sounds are quieter, not gone. Alarms, fire alarms, and doorbells remain audible. This is a safety feature, not a limitation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre they comfortable for side sleepers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSilicone is soft and sits flush with the ear — nothing sticks out. Much more comfortable than rigid foam plugs that dig in under pillow pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSilicone vs foam vs wax ear plugs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoam: single-use, expands inside the canal, can’t be sterilised, harbours bacteria within hours. Wax: melts at body temperature, leaves residue, single-use. Silicone: reusable for months, washable, non-porous, hypoallergenic. Medical-grade silicone is the same material used in medical implants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I clean them?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWarm water and mild soap after each use. Air dry. They’re reusable for months with daily use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat’s the noise reduction rating?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eApproximately 27dB NRR. That’s enough to bring most urban bedrooms below the 30dB threshold where sleep disruption begins, while keeping safety-critical sounds audible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I use them for swimming?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Silicone creates a watertight seal at the ear canal opening. Also works for focus work, travel, concerts, and any environment where you want noise reduction without full isolation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eResearch\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHume et al.\u003c\/strong\u003e (2012). \u003cem\u003eNoise \u0026amp; Health\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNocturnal noise exposure increases arousals and shifts sleep to lighter stages, even when subjects don’t consciously wake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBasner et al.\u003c\/strong\u003e (2014). \u003cem\u003eThe Lancet\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnvironmental noise is a significant public health concern — cardiovascular risk increases with chronic nighttime noise above 40dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eÖhrström E, Rylander R\u003c\/strong\u003e (1990). \u003cem\u003eArchives of Environmental Health\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSubjective sleep quality deteriorated measurably at night-time noise exposures above 32 dB(A). Participants reported increased fatigue, reduced morning alertness, and more frequent awakenings. Even subjects who reported no conscious waking showed elevated cortisol the next morning — the autonomic system reacts to noise even when the conscious mind does not.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEso World\u003c\/strong\u003e publishes every material in every product. The full materials list, exclusion list, and citations live on the product page.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eso World","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":54111652806996,"sku":"FP-EARPLUG-BLACK","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"White","offer_id":54111652839764,"sku":"FP-EARPLUG-WHITE","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Green","offer_id":54111652872532,"sku":"FP-EARPLUG-GREEN","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1024\/5655\/7908\/files\/104A6287.jpg?v=1775336999","url":"https:\/\/esoworld.myshopify.com\/products\/silicone-ear-plugs","provider":"Eso World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}