I’m very sensitive to any environmental noises when I’m trying to fall asleep, so I’ve come to rely on earplugs. I’ve become quite the earplug connoisseur, actually. I have tried nearly every brand and kind of earplug out there and been very dissatisfied. Foam earplugs often hurt my ears and they allow too much noise seepage. Other wax earplugs just didn’t cut it. The best for comfort and amount of sound blocked are called Quies. I’ve used them faithfully for years.
The Quies earplugs fit perfectly and comfortably in my ears and they block out so much noise, it’s heavenly. They helped me maintain my sanity while dating snorers and they have also worked great at concerts and loud events.
Earplugs won’t block out all of the sound, so you can hear things that are near to you or really loud. Generally, I can hear when people are talking to me, though I might not be able to make out what they are saying. I sleep with earplugs every night, pretty much, and I never have trouble waking up to my alarm.
If you are a super deep sleeper that can doze on through alarms without earplugs, then you will probably want to work out a backup, though. :P