Earplugs for sleeping

Many people will agree: nothing is as good as a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, some people have trouble falling asleep. Noisy neighbours, a snoring partner or a buzzing fridge: sound disturbance is one of the most common causes of sleeplessness. Fortunately, earplugs provide a solution for sleeping.

Sensitivity to noise during sleep

Some people are more sensitive to noise than others. Noises can be disturbing when these prevent you from falling asleep. During sleep, noises are still picked up and processed by the brain. For light sleepers, this can mean waking up from even soft noises.

 “More than 20 percent of Dutch people sometimes have trouble falling asleep”

Types of earplugs for sleeping

Earplugs for sleeping are available in two different types: universal and custom (otoplastics). The biggest difference between universal earplugs and otoplastics intended for sleeping is the attenuation value. Universal earplugs for sleeping can on average attenuate a maximum of 25dB, while custom earplugs can attenuate around 40dB.

Universal earplugs for sleeping

The Alpine universal earplugs for sleeping have a unique filter and are made of special thermoplastic material, which moulds to the shape of your ear using body heat. This ensures a perfect fit, which is important when wearing earplugs to bed. The material is also hypoallergenic, which means that it doesn’t cause any skin irritation.

Attenuation without closing off

The transmission of sound takes place in two ways: through the air and through your bones. Our skull also catches sound vibrations. This is called bone conduction. Our eardrum is made to vibrate as a result of this, which we perceive as sound. Sound can therefore never be entirely muted by only closing off the ear canal.

Earplugs for sleeping: multifunctional

There are earplugs for sleeping specially for light sleepers who are sensitive to noise. However, earplugs for sleeping aren’t only useful for at home. You can use these earplugs in various situations. Earplugs for sleeping are for example also practical …

• For muting the snoring of your partner;
• When you want to close yourself off completely to for example concentrate better;
• In noisy hotels/hostels/campings;
• In the hospital;
• When you want to sleep while travelling, for example in the train, airplane or at the airport.

Sleeplessness and health: the facts

More than 20 percent of Dutch people sometimes have trouble falling asleep. We all sometimes experience a bad night’s sleep occasionally. But if this occurs more frequently, it is advisable to consult with a doctor. After all, sleep is important for your health. When you sleep, your body rests and can recover.

“To be able to function well, sufficient sleep is just as important as eating and drinking.”

Consequences of insufficient sleep

You suffer from chronic lack of sleep if you structurally sleep less than six hours per night. Chronic lack of sleep has negative consequences for health and your day-to-day functioning. Symptoms that can occur when you suffer from structural lack of sleep:

• Gloominess or even depression
• Irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Weakened immune system
• Muscle ache
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Shaking hands

How much sleep do you need?

The amount of sleep you need doesn’t only depend on your age. Your lifestyle, physical activities and number of hours of daylight also play an important role. The more physically and mentally active you are, the more sleep you need. And if you spend a lot of time outdoors, you sleep better and longer. In the overview below, you’ll find an indication of the number of hours of sleep you need per night, depending on your age.

Sources:
https://www.inslaap.nl/begrijpend-slapen/probleemloos-door-geluid-heen-slapen/
https://nos.nl/artikel/2193541-we-slapen-lang-in-nederland-maar-zeker-niet-goed.html
https://gezondnu.nl/dossiers/psyche/slaapproblemen/hoeveel-uur-moet-echt-per-nacht-slapen/