The best earplugs for sleeping, to ensure a restful night's sleep

Have you ever been woken up at night by the sound of traffic, your neighbor's footsteps, or your spouse's snoring? Sleep is one of the most important things for your health, but many people still sleep poorly – and wonder why they feel tired in the morning. The solution could be something as simple as well-designed earplugs.

This Tyyni blog will explore the difference between regular earplugs and earplugs specifically designed for sleeping, and why they can truly improve your sleep. It also includes research and practical tips on how to choose the right Tyyni earplugs for you.

Sleep disturbance is a common problem

Many people think that waking up or having interrupted sleep is “normal.” In reality, it’s not – it’s often a result of the brain reacting to nighttime sounds, without even being aware of it. Sleep labs have measured that the light hum of traffic or occasional noises from neighbors can raise your heart rate and interrupt deep sleep stages, even if you don’t wake up properly.

One study (Hu RF et al., 2010) showed that the use of earplugs in combination with eye patches improved the amount of REM sleep and the duration of deep sleep in a hospital setting. So the effect is tangible and measurable.

Why don't regular foam earplugs always work?

Standard disposable foam earplugs are designed more for industry than for sleep. They expand a lot, don't always fit snugly, and can press on your ear if you sleep on your side. They also seal your ear so tightly that some people can hear their own breathing or heartbeat, which is more disturbing than the original noise. This is because when you sleep, your senses are at their most sensitive, and when you're resting on your back, you often feel your heartbeat more strongly.

How do good earplugs designed for sleeping differ from others?

Modern earplugs for sleeping are:

• Made of soft silicone or hypoallergenic material that adapts to the ear canal painlessly.

• Designed to support the earlobe so they don't press on the ear even when you turn to the side.

• Balanced attenuation – they do not completely block out sound, but filter out disturbing frequencies (e.g. traffic, snoring), but do not make the ear feel stuffy or pressured.

• Reusable and washable, which is the best hygienic and long-lasting. Just wash with soapy water and after 100 days replace the heads with new plugs. You can easily order these from Tyyni's online store.

My night's sleep changed the first time I used it - Mikko Sainio

I myself tried different options for a long time. Regular earplugs would press or fall out during the night. Then I used Tyyni's soft earplugs and immediately noticed that I no longer woke up at night to random sounds. Especially on summer nights with the window open, the city traffic and the footsteps upstairs no longer interrupted my sleep in the old suburb of Stad.

Another thing worth noting is that I didn't feel "foggy or hungover" in the morning, like I sometimes do when there are noises in the background at night without noticing them. Deep sleep was more restorative, and I noticed it right away from the alert state. I tracked my sleep quality with a smartwatch and saw the change immediately, the amount of REM sleep increased by 30%.

How to choose the right earplugs for sleeping:

1. Choose a shape that suits your sleeping style. All earplugs from the Tyyni collection are suitable for back sleepers. Choose the one that is most visually pleasing to you. Only the models in our collection that are suitable for side sleepers are intended for sleeping on the side.

2. Attenuation level (SNR) – about 18–30 dB of attenuation is suitable for sleeping. Excessive attenuation can cause internal sounds such as breathing and heartbeat to be distracting.

3. Reusability, a good choice ecologically and economically. Wash and replace the ends of the plugs every 100 days.

Summary – don't let noise ruin your nights

Sleep is not a luxury, it is a necessity for well-being. If you find yourself waking up at night or feeling half-tired in the morning, it could be because you didn't get a good night's sleep. High-quality and properly selected earplugs can be a simple solution that can have a big impact on your well-being.