If big noise-canceling headphones feel too overwhelming, earplugs offer a more low-key way to reduce sound,” says Dr. Nishant ...

Most earplugs come with a noise-reduction rating (NRR) or single-noise rating (SNR), which measures how effectively they reduce noise. In the United States, earplugs are typically rated with the NRR.

If you’re trying to sleep in a noisy environment, you’ll need ear plugs with a high noise reduction rating (NRR). Second, consider the comfort and fit of the ear plugs. Foam ear plugs come in ...

Remember that real-world protection is typically about half of the rated NRR value, so for extremely loud environments like shooting ranges or racing events, consider using both earplugs and over ...