I’ve been experimenting with ear plugs as an insomnia remedy for the past few weeks. I’m happy to say that the early results are quite promising. Wearing a set of ear plugs to bed wasn’t easy at first. It took some getting used to, without a doubt. While the first couple of nights were rough, I eventually became so accustomed to sleeping with ear plugs that I gave up on my white noise routine …

After scoping out the selection of ear plugs at the local CVS, I decided to try Leight Sleepers. Maybe I got lucky, but these beauties turned the trick.

Snoring? Check. Loud radio in the next room? Check. Action movie playing down the hall? Check. The snazzy yellow and red swirled foam Leight Sleeper ear plugs work like a charm.

It took a while to learn how to properly insert the ear plugs. But after a while it became old hat … just roll an ear plug between the thumb and forefinger to compress the foam, lean the head sideways, hold the ear with one hand, insert the ear plug with the other, and then keep a finger on the end of the ear plug as the foam expands to fill the ear cavity.

Things didn’t happen without incident. There was a moment or two of fear when I thought I had shoved an ear plug too far into my ear. But I removed it fairly easily … once I got over the panic phase. (The directions recommend a twisting motion as the ear plug is removed.)

Folks with longer fingernails should find this easier to do … the crazy thought of running out to the garage to grab a pair of needle nose pliers ran through my head.

Many thanks to Gnomie Tracy who recommended Moldex Purafit brand ear plugs and to Gnomie Steve who kindly suggested that I get checked out for sleep apnea as a possible cause for my insomnia.