It’s not often that I find myself working in a construction site or loud area as a business traveler. But, I do find that noise-reducing or canceling headphones are rarely the perfect solution on a plane. I always tend to hear people talking or coughing loudly still.
That’s why I was intrigued by the Etymotic High-Fidelity Earplugs because I figured that I could use them inside my ears with noise-canceling headphones on top for double protection. My prediction worked like a charm. This was an affordable way to guarantee complete silence on a plane or when working in a shared office space.
The earplugs are meant for industrial use, but they fit tightly inside your ear and are not uncomfortable when you place another headphone on top. This may not be the intended use, but I found it to be an ideal solution for business travelers.
The foam texture was very comfortable, even when I was sleeping on my side, and the plugs are designed to reduce 20 decibels of sound for excellent protection. The flimsy ear plugs that some airlines give out on long flights barely do the trick. These come in a carrying case and can be reused. There is a detachable neck cord, and the entire thing weighs practically nothing. I stick it in my pocket right before boarding a flight.
The earplugs come in standard and large sizes and in different colors. This is a great gift for travelers that are extra sensitive to sound especially if they must sleep at odd hours of the night and day when traveling overseas. The pair retails for $13.95 each on the Etymotic website or on Amazon.