Three-shift work, family, and a goal‑oriented ultrarunning hobby. That’s quite a challenging equation.
Sleeping – or trying to sleep – when the rest of the world is buzzing around you doesn’t always work. I’ve struggled with sleep problems for years, especially after night shifts, and honestly, I’ve tried almost every possible way to improve my sleep quality. Often with little success.
When I first heard about the QuietOn 4 active noise‑cancelling earplugs, they sounded great on paper. But I admit I was skeptical: could they really be that good?
Short answer: Yes, they are good!
Actually… THEY ARE AMAZING!!
That Silence
A longer answer: When I finally got the earplugs, of course I tested them right away. When the plugs activate for the first time—20 seconds after taking them out of the case—and the world around you suddenly quiets down, you just know you’re dealing with a product that truly works. It’s hard to describe the feeling; you have to experience it yourself!
But what do the results look like on paper? I have a sports watch that tracks my sleep. Before, my sleep quality was usually rated as “satisfactory” or “okay,” but since I started using the earplugs, my sleep has mostly been rated “good” or “excellent.”
Many times after a night shift, my sleep has been so poor that the watch hasn’t even registered it as sleep at all. Nowadays, even that has improved to “very poor” or “satisfactory.” While that might not sound great in general, for me it’s a huge step forward. After night shifts, I’ve been more alert, and waking up feels much less groggy. I feel like I’ve actually slept!
The Importance of Sleep for an Athlete
I do trail ultrarunning, which is a physically very demanding sport. It includes long training runs. You simply can’t head out for a 1–4‑hour run feeling exhausted—or if you do, the run is extremely tough and you won’t get the training effect you’re aiming for.
Now that my sleep quality is so much better, I can head out for even long morning runs without feeling heavy‑legged. I dare say that every goal‑driven athlete should at least try QuietOn earplugs, because recovery really is the cornerstone of progress.
Fit and Comfort
I’m sure many people wonder how the earplugs feel when sleeping. For me, they fit extremely well. The package comes with several different sizes of tips, so everyone can find the right fit.
Not once have the earplugs caused pressure or discomfort while sleeping.
The design is excellent—they sit entirely inside the ear and nothing sticks out. They also stay in surprisingly well. Only once in a month have I woken up to find that one earplug had fallen out.
One thing did worry me at first: would I still wake up to my alarm? Would the earplugs block too much?
The worry was unnecessary. The purpose is not to create complete silence; they mainly remove low‑frequency noises like traffic or a partner’s snoring. Alarm sounds still come through just fine.
They Work in Factory Conditions Too
I’ve also tested the earplugs at work in a factory environment, where there are lots of large pumps and electric motors. The noise level is high and hearing protection is mandatory. I’ve used the earplugs at work too, with no issues in terms of staying in place.
QuietOn earplugs have provided noise reduction even in very noisy areas, although they don’t block all sound and do not have hearing protection certification. This is important for workplace safety—I can still hear what’s happening around me while harmful noise levels are reduced.
In Conclusion
QuietOn earplugs have become a permanent part of my sleep routine. I probably wouldn’t even know how to sleep without them anymore—they’re that good. If you’re struggling with sleep, shift work challenges, or recovery, I warmly recommend giving them a try.
Written by Matti Hauru, three‑shift worker, endurance athlete and father.
