Step 2: Get an Airtight Seal

An airtight seal is what makes active noise cancelling work well, so it’s worth taking a moment to get this right.

You’ll notice a slight, even pressure in the ear canal, that’s the sign of a correct fit.

Foam Tips: Getting the Right Fit

QuietOn 4 comes with four foam tip sizes: Extra Small, Small, Medium, and Large. A Small tip comes pre-installed on each earbud.

1. Choose the right size. Pick the smallest foam tip that still gives you a full seal, sizing up too early can feel less comfortable without improving noise cancelling. Try a different size if the fit doesn’t feel right. 
2. Attach and adjust. Insert and remove foam tips using a gentle twisting motion. Avoid fingernails, they can tear the foam. 
3. Check the seal. Press the earbud lightly into your ear. A proper fit creates a slight feeling of pressure in the ear canal. 

If your ears are hairy, this can sometimes get in the way of an airtight seal. Moving hair out of the way before inserting the earbud can help.

Need replacement foam tips? They’re available in our webshop. 

Comfortable Enough to Sleep On Your Side

QuietOn 4’s flat, low-profile shape is designed to sit fully within the ear, so there’s nothing pressing against your pillow. Combined with the memory foam tip, this is what makes side-sleeping comfortable, without the pressure points bulkier earbuds or over-ear headphones can cause. 

What Will You Actually Notice?

It helps to know what to expect before your first night. 

• Snoring typically fades to a faint hum, or becomes unnoticeable. 
• Traffic and low-frequency rumble is significantly reduced. 
• Higher-pitched sounds, like alarms, voices, or your kids calling you, stay audible. QuietOn 4 is built to reduce disruptive low-frequency noise, not to block sound entirely. 

For reference, the WHO recommends bedroom noise stay below 30 dB(A) at night for good-quality sleep, QuietOn 4’s noise reduction is designed with that kind of benchmark in mind. It works the same way whether the low-frequency noise is snoring, traffic, or the hum of an aircraft cabin, which is why it suits both a shared bedroom and travel. 

Wait, I Can Still Hear Some Sound With QuietOn 4. Is That Normal?

Yes, that’s normal. No noise-cancelling earbuds create total silence. QuietOn 4 is especially effective at reducing low-frequency noise like snoring, traffic, and bass sounds, while higher frequencies are reduced to a level similar to high-quality foam earplugs. Very loud snoring may still be faintly audible at a lower level, and you’ll still be able to hear your alarm in the morning. 

Charging and Battery

Place the earbuds in the case each morning. They charge automatically and are ready by night. 

Charge the case via USB-C about once a week under typical use (around 8 hours a night). A full recharge takes about 3 hours. 

• Up to 28 hours of earbud battery per charge 
• ~2.5 hours to recharge the earbuds from empty to full 
• ~3 hours to recharge the case from empty to full (USB-C) 

Lights turn off about 10 seconds after you close the lid, the earbuds are still charging normally.

Checking the Battery Status (LED Lights)

Open the lid anytime to check battery status, lights show automatically. The front lights show the earbuds’ charge (three per side, six total), the rear lights show the case. 

• All lights steady: Good, fully charged and ready for several nights. 
• One to three lights steady: OK, enough charge for tonight. 
• Blinking light: Time to charge, plug in soon. 

Tip: if the lights look empty right after opening the lid, close and reopen it once to confirm the reading. 

Not Sure It’s Working? Check These

A few quick checks if you’re not noticing the switch to active noise cancelling:

• Positioning. The earbud should sit flush against your ear, not visible from the front. 
• Foam tip size. Try a larger tip if sound is still getting in. 
• Timing. Insert the earbud within 15 seconds of taking it out of the case to catch the switch to ANC. 
• Battery. Make sure the earbud is charged. Active noise cancelling needs battery to work. 
• Missed the switch? Set the earbud back in the case, close the lid, then take it out again to restart the timer. 

Hear a faint squealing or whistling sound right after inserting the earbud? That’s normal, it’s the microphone briefly picking up sound from the speaker in a sealed space. It’s harmless and disappears once ANC engages. 

Also worth checking: move hair out of the way, and make sure the earbud feels secure without causing discomfort. 

Still stuck?

Check out this video: How to Get Started with QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds

Take a look at the FAQ or get in touch. We’re always happy to help.