Similar for me, I use a blindfold and white noise to create a sleep cocoon with no distractions

Same, highly recommend the manta sleep mask for any back sleepers

I just repeat mantras until all the sheep are counted, works like a charm

I have the same problem but I've yet to find earplugs that I can wear every night. The only only ones I've been able to sleep with at all are silicone ones that mould to the shape of the ear. I can only sleep which makes things significantly more difficult but with some practice I can get the silicone ones flat and not feeling like there's pressure inside my ear which will stop me sleeping.

I don't travel without these now and they have been great, but after several successive nights of use I find my ear starts to get sore and sensitive to them.

The best thing, of course, is to live somewhere actually quiet. Most noise is from cars. But failing that I have to sleep with some white noise source like a fan.

I use these earplugs every night and whenever I'm exposed to noise, like vacuuming. For me, it helps me sleep better and also seems to reduce tinnitus. Note: I'm not saying wearing earplugs directly reduces tinnitus, but IMO it reduces ear stimulation because my ears are processing less sound, so my ears don't get as tired, and that seems to make my tinnitus less noticeable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051U7W32

I re-use the same set, washing them when I take a shower. I bought the above set of 50 years ago and still have many left.

A couple of tricks I use with these:

- I cut about 1/4" off the small end. If I don't, the earplug starts to hurt my ear if I wear it a lot, I think because it goes too far into my ear.

- before using a new earplug, I wash it several times with bar soap. There is something in a new ear plug that makes it stay mashed. Maybe it suppresses more noise with that, but it also makes it hard to fit for me. I keep washing it until it is springy. This is a one-time thing with a new ear plug.

The "stay mashed" property is by design for these types of earplugs because they are meant to go right into the ear canal. The idea is you mash them (well, carefully roll and compress) then insert them while still mashed, holding them in as they slowly re-expand.

But this is, of course, to ensure protection in the case of dangerously high sound pressure levels. Cutting them would also compromise them in this regard. Perhaps different if you are using them to block out low noises for sleep.

Whenever I use these, I have to wake up in the middle of the night because my ear canals are all wet inside. Does this not happen to you?

Yes, but I think to a lesser extent. I have not felt uncomfortable in the night due to this, but my ears definitely feel more moist in the morning which probably contributes to the soreness/sensitivity over time for me.

Hard for me to get good sleep with earplugs:

1. They're noticeably "there" in my ears, or even mildly uncomfortable 2. I'm nervous about missing important sounds (family telephone emergencies, emergency door knocks, etc)

Regarding some of the comments: Yes, I had trouble sleeping with earplugs initially myself. It's definitely something you have to get used to, but once you do you don't notice them at all. Then it feels like having acquired a new super-power. I use Bilsom 303 type of disposable plugs, the type you'd find on a worksite, although I only change them after a few weeks of use.

The Bose sleepbuds were helpful for me in masking snoring sounds. I found conventional earbuds too uncomfortable the way they seal, while these make up for the lack of perfect seal with white noise. Looks like the product has been recently spun out to a new company.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/22/23837206/ozlo-sleepbuds-b...

This works very well for me. I have tried just about every type but most were not comfortable. Finally found 3M ear classic NRR 33 earplugs and have bought them 200 pairs at a time. Super comfortable and effective.

used to buy these but not in stock:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MCTXJC

so now I got these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MCTOPU

I still struggle to get really good sleep. I've slept with ear plugs (nearly) every night for the last 30 years. Now there is almost zero chance I can get any sleep without them, even in very quiet environments. Also just checked my CYP1A2 marker and have the A/A variant so I'm a "ultrarapid" caffeine metabolizer and I only drink 1 cup of caf-coffee in the mornings, so this is probably not a big contributor to low quality sleep. Maybe Alcohol (straight whiskey only), but maybe not. When I go through periods of not drinking I see no apparent improvement in my sleep. Still looking...