Saturday, August 03, 2013

More effective earplugs

In continuation of this post, I bought the "Ultra" earplugs just for a laugh, because in this world, when they say New And Improved, it's usually not so much. (For example I recently tested Sony's "Clear Zoom" technology, stated to be closer to real optical zooming than just another digital zoom. Guess what it was much closer to? In fact barely distinguishable from? Yep: digital zoom.)

So last night a neighbor played music louder than usual, and I put in my usual plugs. But as it turned out, at this volume they could only handle most of it, not all of it. I was still distracted.

So I thought, hey, this is the perfect chance to test my new "Ultra" plugs. So I did. And lo and behold! They were better! Music... gone!
(In the spirit of my slightly OCD sense of accuracy, it was 99.5% gone. So, 'virtually gone', good enough for me.)

I also tested it with the indoor air con unit in my bedroom: same thing. The normal plugs had never been able to handle all of it. But the new ones: (virtually) gone! Way kewl.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

where u get them from?

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

I used to order from some specialist store, but now I just buy from Amazon!

It pays to keep an eye on prices. For example, with Nespresso capsules, Amazon is typically 70 pence per capsule (cup), but if you buy them from nespresso.com they are only half that! Such info will often be found in commend in or under amazon reviews.

Bru said...

I have found the db number on the box to be a good guide for quietness. You "upgraded" from 29 to 32 db, so I would expect a quieter experience.

The numbers also make it easier to choose from multiple brands at a local drugstore.

Kelly Trimble said...

I bet the 0.5 % of the sound that you are still hearing is getting to your aural cavity through the media of the rest of your body. Put on a motorcycle helmet, cover yourself with a quilt or heavy blanket, sit in a padded chair or lay on a bed which is sprung from the floor, and make sure your feet are off of the floor, and it will take care of that other 0.5 %. You won't be able to get any work done, and anybody that sees you will wonder if you are laying in bed under the covers with a helmet on because you are recovering from being shot out of a cannon.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Ah, thank you for that splendid advice. I'll be sure to follow it if the 0.5% ever starts to bother me.