Flare Calmer Night – Sleeping Ear Plugs Alternative – Reduce Annoying Noises Without Blocking Sound – Extra Soft Reusable Silicone – Black

I opted for the "night" version of these buds because they're supposedly softer than the regular ones. I'm glad I did — they are comfortable and work great, no fatigue or pain in my ear. I'm a petite adult woman and did not need to get the smaller size. TL;DR: I have auditory hypersensitivity, and the moment I inserted these Calmer buds, I noticed an immediate difference in ambient sound levels. I tested them out in various places around my house (loud cracking door, certain appliances, cat meowing loudly in the kitchen, etc.) and was amazed at the difference. It FEELS like you're wearing earplugs, but you can still hear everything. It’s just that the "grating edge" is now gone. Quality is excellent. Instructions are simple. I suggest not using the mesh bag they come in (it sheds fibers) and finding a different container. These really make a difference for those of us with auditory hypersensitivity. FULL REVIEW: I have neural intensity. In the American educational system, this is called "giftedness," which is honestly a misnomer because the defining factor of giftedness is an intensity of neural connections in the brain — and with that, you can already begin to understand how sensory input and the nervous system might be affected. ("Giftedness" is not the same thing as autism/ASD, although the two can overlap in some people. FWIW, I don't have ASD.) A huge segment of gifted people also have sensory processing sensitivities, and are called "twice-exceptional," commonly abbreviated as "2e." I'm 37 now, and back in the 1990s when I was in elementary school, educators didn't understand giftedness as neural intensity but, rather, as a high IQ coupled with impressive academic and/or creative performance. Unfortunately, back then there were no resources for the emotional intensity or sensory processing issues that accompany giftedness. I suffered from noise-induced anxiety throughout my childhood. Even now, certain sounds still create a PTSD response in me. Examples include dishes clanking against each other, garage doors opening, babies/children screaming, fire alarms, sirens — all of those things used to (honestly still do) startle or even terrify me, activating my nervous system and sending me into "fight or flight" mode. Additionally, my parents used to joke/lament that, as a kid, I had supersonic hearing because I could easily hear conversations three rooms away. My noise-induced anxiety shows up even now that I’m an adult: I completely lose my train of thought if someone makes a loud noise, if a phone rings during my work presentation, if a dog starts barking, etc. All these things, I learned, are signs of auditory hypersensitivity. (I have more examples, but that will suffice for this review.) During COVID lockdown this past year, I took it upon myself to learn more about what it means to have a "gifted" brain as an adult — because, of course, we don't just grow out of it. On a hunch, I got tested for sensory processing issues with a local audiologist. To my immense relief and validation, I learned that I do indeed have auditory hypersensitivity, which puts me into that "2e" category I mentioned earlier. Researchers believe auditory sensory overload is due to the amygdala not being an effective "air-traffic controller" like it is in neurotypical folks. The amygdala is also the part of the brain that keeps us safe by alerting us to potential danger — it triggers the fight/flight response, so it makes sense why certain noises can disrupt the nervous system. These Calmer buds showed up as a targeted ad on my Facebook feed. I'm honestly glad they did; it was one of the few times a FB ad has been truly useful for me. I decided to give them a try. I bought them with my own money and received absolutely no compensation, discount, or *anything whatsoever* for this review. HOW/WHY THESE WORK First, a caveat: I’m not an expert or a professional in the field of audiology, neurobiology, or speech language pathology. However, I want to share some information I’ve found in my layman’s research (using actual books, not just Google) in case it helps others. The Calmer buds appear to be a type of “passive filter,” which is a great tool recommended by audiologists for managing auditory hypersensitivity, hyperacusis, and central auditory processing disorder. Passive filters keep your hearing within normal limits but improve the following: (1) Your stressed/overloaded amygdala’s ability to serve as a better, more effective air-traffic controller. (2) Your ability to understand auditory information in loud or chaotic environments. Passive filters give you more control over your auditory environment and let you lower the amount of “auditory chaos” around you. EFFECTS AFTER TWO DAYS OF WEARING After two days of wearing these Calmer buds for several hours each time, I already feel less jumpy and frazzled overall. It just feels a bit more peaceful to be in my body. It's easier for me to write and focus on my work when I'm wearing these — in fact, I'm wearing them right now as I write this review. It's not that they make sounds quiet or muddy but, rather, that the "grating edge" is just... gone. "Muffled" is the word that comes closest, but that's not even totally accurate. It's hard to describe the difference because I’ve never used anything like these before. Sounds around my house that would ordinarily make me jump — like that old painted-over door that makes a piercing *CRACK!* sound when opened, or the dishwasher being unloaded, or my cat yelling an hour before dinnertime (lol) — are no longer quite so grating on my nervous system. Wearing these Calmer buds is like taking some kind of magical CBD for your hearing. I look forward to wearing these at the grocery store, around my toddler nieces and nephews (sooooo much screaming), and in other situations that are often auditorily overwhelming to me. SPECS & SET While wearing them, the buds are not visually obtrusive. You can't even see them from the front! From the side, they look a bit like a hearing aid or a tiny futuristic earbud. I do like the white color because it feels clean and fresh, and it makes the buds easier to see inside the black mesh pouch when I'm not wearing them. I haven't noticed any staining (earwax) but will report back if so. The set comes in blessedly plastic-free packaging (THANK YOU), inside a sealed, outer envelope made of paper-carton. You get: - The buds (in their own tiny, separate envelope) - Paper instructions - Black mesh cinch bag And that brings me to the one downside I've noticed: the mesh bag. It sheds polyester fibers that stick to the buds, because the sewn seam inside the bag has a raw edge and is not finished with any kind of overlocking stitch. I'm going to use a different container for my Calmer buds because I have no interest in sticking tiny fibers into my ear canals. Other than that, I haven't experienced any downsides to this set. WHAT'S UP WITH THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS? As for the folks who don't notice a difference when wearing these Calmer buds, I believe they are telling the truth. They may just have structural differences in their ear canal that make the effect of these buds less pronounced. Or maybe they don't have auditory hypersensitivity, neural intensity, and/or a frazzled amygdala. Or maybe they’re wearing the buds wrong*. Or some combination thereof. * (As shown in the photos uploaded by a different reviewer on Oct. 3, 2021; she’s wearing them backwards, with the antenna/pull-tab thingy on the wrong side, *and* she has barely inserted them at all.) I think these Calmer buds are designed for a specific purpose and a specific user, and unfortunately not everyone will fit that profile (or wear them correctly). But for me, the "supersonic hearing" kid? I noticed a massive difference the second I inserted them. SUMMARY I definitely recommend these Calmer buds to anyone in similar situation to me, who is "2e gifted" and has auditory hypersensitivity. It's like these buds were designed specifically for us! I wish I could have had this simple device as a kid — my nervous system would be an entirely different picture. I am certain that they are going to help me on my journey as I mend my frazzled nervous system. Amazing, amazing device. A+.

Edit: I changed my rating to 1 star because one of these ear buds got pushed in my ear canal while I was sleeping. I woke up in pain and couldn't get it out, so I had to go to the ER. I informed the manufacturer, but they were nonchalant and insist their product is safe. Avoid or use at your own risk. These definitely helped with my misophonia. At night I hyper focus on small repetitive noises like ticking clocks, dog licking his bum, or my husband's slight snoring and it drives me crazy and keeps me from getting restful sleep. I put my Calmer Night buds o in my ears in the evening and I could tell the subtle difference. You can still hear, but it takes the edge from triggering sounds. The true test was at night and it definitely helped me sleep better. The Calmer Night earbuds fit inside my ears snug and secure, they're so comfy I forgot I was wearing them at one point. I would recommended giving these a try if you have misophonia.

What these aren't - So first, I'm not sure why people would think that these are earplugs. They clearly have a hole through them. What it helps is when the type of noise is more irritating than the noise level itself. If the noise level is loud (think airplane flight or construction right outside), people need active noise cancelling (ANC) earbuds (e.g. JBL Tune 230NC TWS) or over-ear headphones (e.g. Sony XM5). The standard ear plugs that sound isolate are a poor substitute, because those feel like you're underwater and can sometimes hear your own heartbeat through them - fine for sleeping or lounging, I guess, but not when going about the day. Actual review - These are excellent for reducing the impact of obnoxious-to-me noises like road noises, lawn mower, high pitched whines, etc. They're distant enough to be annoying (40 dB or so) but not from the noise perspective itself, though I do sometimes put in ANC earbuds. The noises become less grating, though can still be heard, which means that I can still play music from speakers. These still let your ears "breathe". Wearing actual earbuds all day are bad for your ears. For people these don't work for (and understand their purpose), I wonder if it's from people who like white and pink noise. I can't stand those high frequencies and prefer green or brown noise. Fit - If they're uncomfortable, they might either be the wrong size or be getting inserted incorrectly. The pull tab side goes towards the back of your ear, almost laying flat against it, and it gets inserted further in than the picture shows, so it's a pretty snug fit, as the bend matches up with where your ear bends. So, if you're looking at it, you're looking at the pull tab side, then inserting even with the ear canal and angling it in (tip shouldn't be scraping against the ear). Tinnitus - On tinnitus (no hearing loss), it minorly helps, but the tinnitus is definitely still there.

The pros: I am autistic and work in a mall, which can get very overstimulating very quickly. These are amazing in a food court especially as they help reduce background noise like buzzing lights. They also fit underneath the headset I wear at work and they're barely noticeable, which is awesome. The cons: I have now lost two pairs because they slip easily out of the carrying bag, no matter how tightly I cinch it. I bought a zipper case for them this time. Also, this time I ordered them in black and they came in white... so -1 star for that. Overall, though? 8.5/10.

As someone that has misophonia & ADD these are a real life saver for me, I have been relying on noise cancelling headphones when out & about around stressful noises, but these allow me to be much more present. I have been to two typically stressful events in busy pubs as well as just generally wearing them & have had such a wonderful time due to my stress levels not being peaked at all by normal "triggers", at first I didnt think they were doing anything but i realised how I could just focus on conversations with my friends etc without every harsh noise stressing me or being distracted by all the other sensory input. They do just negate the harshness, after reading about how they actually work I now understand how & it is interesting to know. I still need my earplugs to sleep but I am so happy that I can walk through town etc without needing music playing & can enjoy nights out alot more. Thank you. Update: Honestly, every single day is better, I haven't had my stress levels peaked at all by usual triggers, a guy was literally stood on top of the shed I was in at work today doing heavy building work & I was fine. They are a blessing & are going to improve my life immeasurably. If you suffer from sensory disorders etc, do yourself a favour & get some!

Sadly these really do nothing, which is disappointing because I was really hoping these would be effective.

Soy de oídos muy sensibles, me molestan las frecuencias de sonidos que usualmente no les suelen molestar a otras personas. Vi este producto anunciado por el proveedor principal (Flare) y tras investigar sus productos decidí comprarlos porque decían ser funcionales para personas con síndrome de hipersensibilidad auditiva. Tengo casi un año con ellos y ???? no me han funcionado. Intenté contactarme con Flare pero lo único que recibí fue un "no se los está colocando bien". Mi madre es otorrinolaringóloga, especialista en oídos, y me ayudó a verificar que estuvieran bien colocados. Ese no era el problema, realmente la reducción de frecuencia es mínima y no resolvió mi problema. Ha sido un gasto que desearía no haber realizado, no vale el precio. Lo único que puedo decir es que dentro de todo, son cómodos.

a parte il fatto che durante i movimenti notturni faticavano a rimanere inseriti, non ho notato differenze nell'averli inseriti o meno... Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare... in questo caso tra il dire e il reale rimane in mezzo il rumore :)

No sirven para nada, no tienen ni el más mínimo efecto solo son un mero accesorio.