Do you take ear plugs?

[Look2Sea]

I hear people talk about bringing ear plugs on cruises.

What kind of ear plugs are they?

Where do you buy them? How much do they cost?

[Coralc]

There are ear plugs in our suitcase, but not specifically for cruises. Most large chain drug stores sell them...they are usually near the eye products for some reason. Eyes, ears, whatever. I think the foam ones are most comfortable. Ear plugs are one of those things that you don't think about needing until you actually wish you had them.

 

Someone said that guest relations also has ear plugs for guests. I can't confirm that. Easier to have your own package of them. And they are very inexpensive :)

 

Edit: and be sure to read the directions. With foam ones, you roll them and put them in. Always be careful of your ears.

[NorbertsNiece]

If SO and I have to share a room I have to wear earplugs. Independence of the Seas Guest Services didn't have any for me last year when I didn't have my own. Bought my own for this last trip from the pharmacy as mentioned above. Actually ended up using the ones that came with the airline comfort pack.

[Look2Sea]

Thank you. I appreciate the information.

I will pick up some ear plugs and try them out.

 

You are right about ear plugs being something you don't think about needing until you wish you had them.

 

Occasionally, I take the train to work; and often wish I could block out certain sounds, especially people talking on their cell phones..

[djmutters]

Well being a guy I don't need ear plugs because us guys have selective hearing :)

[navis navis]

sorry didn't hear you.....:p:p:p:p

[CarolS19]

sorry didn't hear you.....:p:p:p:p

 

 

thats really funny

[navis navis]

hehe........sorry

[cb at sea]

I don't know what kind of vacuum some folks live in where they feel the ship is loud! I've never been bothered by noises--human or otherwise, on a cruise! I mean, it's no different from a hotel and all of the ambient noises you hear! And at home, things certainly aren't silent!

No--no ear plugs for us!

[Kruzeagain]

Depends what kind of noise you wish to block, and when you wish to block it.

 

The staterooms are very well insulated, but some people are light sleepers and the slightest unfamiliar sound pops them upright in a heartbeat.

For those people, check your local pharmacy for foam earplugs that have a "Noise Reduction Rating" of approx 35 decibels. Roll those little suckers up tight, insert them properly, hold them gently in place as they expand and the only thing you'll hear after that is your own breathing.

 

If your concern is with the sound system in the main theatre, you might want earplugs that have less of a reduction than 35 decibels...otherwise the only thing you'll hear will be...(see above).

 

And finally, if you like to blend music with noise-canceling technology, Bose has a few models of headphones that are acoustically precise, but use nifty tools to wipe out background noise at the same time.

 

Long answer (sorry) but hope this helps.

Alan

[BillOh]

Well being a guy I don't need ear plugs because us guys have selective hearing :)

 

Very funny, I say that all the time to my wife. In all sincerity why do you people feel they are neccesary? Where do you find the excessive noise? Ironically, it was 2 weeks before my first cruise that my left ear started ringing and it hasn't stopped since then. Ear plugs would just make it easier for me to hear the ringing. :D Jokes aside, this reminds me of the old commercial where the guy is about to putt and the ships horn goes off.

[BillOh]

Depends what kind of noise you wish to block, and when you wish to block it.

 

.

Alan

 

 

Now that you mentioned it my wife used them everynight until I lost 50 pounds and quite snoring :eek:

[Kruzeagain]

Bill, with regards to the constant ringing there is a site that I frequent for purposes other than ear issues, but the founder has extensive experience with tinnitus and has written a fairly lengthy (and free!) article about various options.

 

But I'm not sure what to tell you next for fear of having Cruise Critic drop the boom on me. It happened once before when I tried to help somebody out of a jam, so I'm a bit gun-shy now.

 

Alan

[Look2Sea]

Thanks :)

Not a guy, but will try the selective hearing thing.

[mistergq]

I am a pretty sound sleeper. I grew up on a boat...I was conceived...never mind...so I do not really hear much noise related to the boat...and when I do, its kind of peaceful.

 

I think the ear plugs are more useful for people who have other people sleeping in their room that snore loudly...but that is just me.

[NorbertsNiece]

SO = Significant Other = Snores Obsessively

And that's why I wear earplugs. Love the motion of the ocean and the sound and rumble of the engines but I have to sleep SOMETIME!!!

[Coralc]

When we were at a pre-cruise hotel in Hawaii there was construction going on next door. Every morning at 5AM they would loudly drop off a huge dumpster and then all the trucks and forklifts would *beep*beep*beep* as they backed up and scooted forwards. And then they would start hammering. I slept with the pillow over my head the first 2 days. Purchased the package of earplugs on day 3. I just left the rest of the package in the suitcase. :D

[missbogota]

I wear them because of my Hubby and his snoring! Now I am addicted to them and find it hard to sleep without them!

[QueenOfKruz]

I don't know what kind of vacuum some folks live in where they feel the ship is loud! I've never been bothered by noises--human or otherwise, on a cruise! I mean, it's no different from a hotel and all of the ambient noises you hear! And at home, things certainly aren't silent!

No--no ear plugs for us!

 

In my vacuum, the "ambient noises" are just fine. However, the volume level in the theater has become outrageous. On our last cruise on Liberty OTS we actually left the theater because the sound was so loud it actually hurt our ears - especially when the singers were wailing. We plan on bringing the foam earplugs and using them at the shows if necessary. I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but we want to be able to enjoy the entertainment in the theater and if we come out of the show deaf it's not fun.

[I'm on holiday]

I occasionally use ear plugs for a variety of noise related reasons. I am somewhat of a light sleeper, so reducing noise helps me get a better night sleep.

[alexpress]

I hear people talk about bringing ear plugs on cruises.

What kind of ear plugs are they?

Where do you buy them? How much do they cost?

 

Not normally but if you go on Costa Atlantica in an aft cabin you will need them because of the creaking of the cabin.

 

 

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2008 Costa Atlantica 0000000Caribbean

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[Cruising Carol]

The only time I have wished I wore hearing aids is in the theatre. Then I could turn them down! As it is, I use ear plugs to cut some of the sound. Otherwise, I would have to leave rather than suffer ear pain. Who is so hard of hearing that they need that sound level?

[olefin32]

Ear plugs?

For what?

 

Just got back from a cruise on RC. I never heard a sound at night.. not even plumbing noise. Someones brats did knock on our door one night but that was all.

 

I've stayed at some 5 star hotels that I could have used earplugs. :rolleyes:

[abridalmaven]

Bill, with regards to the constant ringing there is a site that I frequent for purposes other than ear issues, but the founder has extensive experience with tinnitus and has written a fairly lengthy (and free!) article about various options.

 

But I'm not sure what to tell you next for fear of having Cruise Critic drop the boom on me. It happened once before when I tried to help somebody out of a jam, so I'm a bit gun-shy now.

 

Alan

Do tell the website, I have tinnitus and would love some options. to Email just add @aol.com to my name.

Thanks

[wrp96]

I sleep with ear plugs even at home, because if I hear anything as I'm trying to go to sleep my mind won't shut off and let me go to sleep. Even things like the air conditioner turning on can perk my mind up, so I just learned to combat it with ear plugs (started when I lived in a dorm in college).

 

I also carry ear plugs in my purse for loud noise situations, things like concerts, construction, casinos on the ships, etc. I never know when I'll find them necessary.

 

And when I travel I carry extras with me for my roommates in case I snore and the pillow they stuff over my face doesn't muffle it enough.;)

 

I buy the Flents brand of foam earplugs because I can get a large container at Walgreens for cheap.