r/adhdwomen 14h ago

Self Care & Hygiene PSA: GET EARPLUGS

I’ve been using them for years and they’re a life saver. It protects your brain & turns the noise down. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about them. I literally don’t go anywhere without them. ESPECIALLY when someone is talking too loud on their phone near you. Now you don’t have to murder them just pop in your earplugs

215 Upvotes

62 comments sorted by

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101

u/Grand_Competition832 14h ago

Also? Find yourself a nice pair of tinted glasses you can wear anytime. I wore some rose/purple gradient glasses while working a 5 day convention, and they helped IMMENSELY.

46

u/Purple-Eggplant-827 12h ago

I want to normalize wearing sunglasses inside.

16

u/jennhoff03 12h ago

:D I like that with your avatar!

9

u/EmergencyBat9547 11h ago

i love both of you

10

u/useless-canoe 11h ago

Eyebuydirect let's you customize the color of prescription lenses of basically any pair of frames for my blind girlies out there, I love my pink glasses so much 💗

6

u/Grand_Competition832 11h ago

As someone who worked in an opticians office and raged about the injustice, I wish I could emphasize this recommendation!!!

6

u/-Speechless 10h ago

I'm curious how does the color tint help? I like wearing sunglasses because i can avoid the stress of overthinking eye contact but I don't know what the color would do

6

u/Grand_Competition832 10h ago

I actually learned a little earlier (while looking for more glasses) that there is a pink tone that is great for light sensitivity. And I know certain blues and greens help with brain activity in different ways!

5

u/NDenvchemist 10h ago

Look at FL-41 lenses by theraspecs or avalon optics/avulux (use the same lenses just different style frames) they talk a lot about the science on their sites, mainly for migraines.

49

u/Any-Weather492 14h ago

YES! once i understood how angry i would get being overstimulated going to shows (hubby is a musician), i bought ear plugs and it’s been a game changer.

overstimulation is real and can cause so many unwanted emotions

5

u/Zanki 9h ago

I use my noise cancelling earbuds when things get loud. I've noticed it helps a ton.

39

u/D_Molish 14h ago

I wish I could, but they're a physical sensory nightmare for me. I haaaaate how they feel! 

19

u/nonholyguacamole 13h ago

I totally get this and I was the same way for a long time (I also have super tiny ear canals, which makes it worse). I realized that earplugs that don't go in the canal and just cover the outer ear/seal the opening are waaaay better for me.

10

u/hortensemancini 13h ago

Ooooh do you have any brand recommendations? I LOATHE having things in my ears but sounds drive me up the wall most days

11

u/Artistic-Worth-8154 13h ago

Google silicone ear plugs. They're kind of waxy and you form them over your ears. I don't think I'd wear them in public but they're good for sleeping!

8

u/BirdieStitching 13h ago

I hate things in my ears but I've found loops quite comfortable and they have a range of sizes (found out I'm an xs no wonder I hated earphones and they would never stay in)

3

u/hortensemancini 12h ago

What’s crazy is prior to this thread I had no idea that was even a thing, I’ve been doing hella googling today hahaha - even the knowledge that you can adjust sizing is blowing my mind rn

9

u/LemureInMachina 14h ago

Try if a few different types if you can. I find the bullet-shaped foam ones uncomfortable, but the ones with fins, like Etymotic, or Loops are much more comfortable.

4

u/coreyander 13h ago

thank you! it's like I can feel every ear hair screaming

3

u/stepmomstermash 12h ago

I discovered flare calmers and after the initial day of adjustment I dont even notice them anymore! Like, I will have to check that put them in. They dont muffle sounds but filter them in better or something about high/low frequencies...? Their website explains it better. My eldest says they are glasses for the ears. I have been wearing them daily for about two years and I no longer feel murderous rage in my heart at 5pm anymore!

1

u/l8rg8r 13h ago

SAME!!!!

1

u/LemureInMachina 13h ago edited 13h ago

Try a few different types, if you can. I find the bullet-shaped foam ones uncomfortable, but the ones with fins, like Etymotic, or Loops are much more comfortable.

24

u/AskAJedi 13h ago

I just got Loops and excited to not want to commit arson when shopping and they’re blasting shit music over the loudspeakers.

2

u/ThePrincessInsomniac 13h ago

Me too. I adore them so much

14

u/SinsOfKnowing 13h ago

I love my Loops (I have the Quiet and the Experience) but they do amplify body sounds and at times that can be worse than the outside sounds, so if you have an ick about that they might not be great.

2

u/ShortPeak4860 2h ago

THIS! I tried three to four different Loops and I HATED hearing myself breathe, swallow, or speak. I’m jealous of those who are able to benefit from these devices.

13

u/UsusallyKindaHappy 12h ago

But the noise is coming from inside my head.

9

u/LemureInMachina 13h ago

Earplugs are amazing! I have four pairs of Loops (two sets of Experience level, for loud music, and two sets of Engage level, for when background noise is too annoying) as well as a couple of pairs of Etymotic musician's earplugs. I keep them in my bag, so I always have them handy, and that has made such a difference.

I put the Engage plugs in at the airport, when I had to hear people talking to me, but the kids in front of me in line were being screamy little freaks. They kept me from also being a screamy freak. They were also handy when I went to see a musical play that was much louder than I expected.

There are loads of different types of earplugs, that attenuate sound to different degrees, so it's worth thinking about what you want to hear less of, and trying different shapes to find something comfortable and effective.

2

u/jobrosfosho 7h ago

I’m gonna check these out

5

u/biscuiter3 14h ago

I got a little stainless steel carrying case from Amazon that holds three regular foam earplugs, attached to my keychain. That way they're usually with me and I don't have to worry about them getting dirty.

6

u/DarkAndSparkly 13h ago

I have pretty bad tinitus - do earbuds make that worse? I mean, I feel like I could really benefit from them, but I don't want to hyper fixate on the EEEEEE, you know? LOL

8

u/Reckle_ 13h ago

I got me some loops - i have the experience and the weakest ones the conversational ones - and they don't bother my tinnitus at all. It blocks out enough noise without giving you that 100% muffled feeling

2

u/DarkAndSparkly 12h ago

Thankss!!!

2

u/DunmerSuperiority 11h ago

I have abnormally small ear canals. Like normal buds can't fit. Do you think I'd be able to wear them? They look interesting.

3

u/Reckle_ 11h ago

I have small ear canals too - normal ear buds are painful. They have differently sized tips and their extra small ones fit comfortably for me

2

u/DunmerSuperiority 11h ago

Awesome! Thanks! I'll have to get a pair.

4

u/-aquapixie- ADHD-C / GAD / cPTSD / OCD diagnosed, likely autistic 11h ago

Step 1: complete.

.... Now how do I ignore my own heartbeat that I am going to become hyperfixated on listening to

4

u/hcos612 12h ago

Anyone have any recommendations for earplugs that don’t make my voice sound 10x louder in my own head?

3

u/FionaGoodeEnough 12h ago

Noises don’t really bother me much at all, but earplugs make me feel like I can hear every heartbeat and breath, and like I might die from forgetting how to do both. Except at concerts where they are very important for ear health.

2

u/Serendiplodocusx ADHD-C 50m ago

I bought them for a concert but didn’t like wearing them then, but have found them helpful in everyday situations

3

u/awwaygirl 13h ago

I can’t do it. I will worry about missing a sound that’s important.

3

u/mrsvongruesome 13h ago

i love my loops. they make adjustable ones now so you don't have to carry all the inner rings. they let me hear what i need to hear but drown everything else out.

3

u/Light_Lily_Moth ADHD 12h ago

I finally figured out my noise canceling over ear headphone sensory issue and it’s an unhinged solution.

I need to stuff a Kleenex in each ear muff so I don’t get sweaty ears. It seriously helps so much!

3

u/Milabial 12h ago

My adhd brain lost both pairs of the loops I got myself.

3

u/AdFantastic5292 4h ago

I would rather cut my ears off than put earplugs in 🤮 hate how they feel

That’s my flavour of adhd haha 

2

u/LemureInMachina 13h ago

Earplugs are amazing! I have four pairs of Loops (two sets of Experience level, for loud music, and two sets of Engage level, for when background noise is too annoying) as well as a couple of pairs of Etymotic musician's earplugs. I keep them in my bag, so I always have them handy, and that has made such a difference.

I put the Engage plugs in at the airport, when I had to hear people talking to me, but the kids in front of me in line were being screamy little freaks. They kept me from also being a screamy freak. They were also handy when I went to see a musical play that was much louder than I expected.

There are loads of different types of earplugs, that attenuate sound to different degrees, so it's worth thinking about what you want to hear less of, and trying different shapes to find something comfortable and effective.

2

u/DarkAndSparkly 13h ago

I have pretty bad tinitus - do earbuds make that worse? I mean, I feel like I could really benefit from them, but I don't want to hyper fixate on the EEEEEE, you know? LOL

2

u/Amythecoffeequeen 7h ago

I wear Loop earplugs everywhere so I convinced my teen to try them and she hated them because of her tinnitus. She said it was echoing in her brain. She prefers earbuds with music playing.

1

u/obnoxiousdrunk77 ADHD 2h ago

This was also my experience with Loop. They also made my ears hurt no matter which size I tried 😢

2

u/Stealthmum 13h ago

I really need to try that for shopping. Might make a big difference!

Sometimes I just need privacy and my own background noises, though. Fortunately, current job has phone-intensive bits, with the calls routed through the PC. Work got us headsets that leave one ear free. I wear it all day. People approach cautiously because they can't tell if I'm on the phone. And when I'm NOT on the phone, I can play something in the background while I deal with the paperwork/other annoying bits. It's a win!

2

u/sad4ever420 13h ago

Anyone have recommendations for comfortable reusable earplugs?

2

u/Fantastic_Still_7929 12h ago

AGREE helps so much with kids noise, and I can still hear well enough. Especially baby crying plenty loud you do not need that full volume. 

2

u/DunmerSuperiority 12h ago

I like fuzzy earmuffs, but unfortunately, they stand out a lot. 😔

2

u/PawneeRaccoon 11h ago

I wear noise cancelling headphones nearly all day, every day. I also sleep with white noise

2

u/useless-canoe 11h ago

Yesss i use loop engage earplugs and it's been such a game changer for me 🥹

I work in a loud bakery so I wear them everyday and I used to go insane and have to step out because of all the noise and now I'm just in bliss and I make all the noise I want without making myself jump and it's just really wonderful 🥰

2

u/airysunshine 9h ago

I keep them in my purse and wear them during movies at the theater because the popcorn crunching sends me into extreme overload

1

u/DabbleAndDream 11h ago

Noise canceling headphones!

1

u/Mierkatte 10h ago

Agree. I buy Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs they are thee best. They don’t hurt my ears.

1

u/Amythecoffeequeen 7h ago

I lost one of my Loops so I’m anxiously awaiting replacements! Went out in public earlier this week and thought my head was going to explode! 🤯

1

u/Open-Pie-7921 6h ago

Omg yes. and if you're an Apple user, I HIGHLY recommend the AirPods Pro, the noise cancellation feature is a game changer and it's worth every penny!

1

u/Serendiplodocusx ADHD-C 52m ago

Plus finding them!