Earplugs for studying

Whether you like to study at home, in cafes or on the bus, it’s likely that it’s never completely silent. Not even the library is safe, with other students whispering to each other, chairs scraping, and the noise of people walking around as they search for the book they need.

And background noise can have a real impact on concentration – which is worse for some people than others. It all comes down to how our brains work. When there’s background noise, some people can easily filter it out to focus on whatever they’re working on. But for others, background noise confuses the brain signals, which makes it difficult to know what they should focus on – which can lead to overstimulation and procrastination.

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling anxious and restless while trying to study in a noisy environment, like a cafe, or in your bedroom while your flatmates are being loud, you may be sensitive to noise.

Background noise can cause you to be more easily distracted, and reduce your ability to concentrate. Even low-level noises, like the sound of your washing machine or traffic on the road outside, can be highly distracting for people with noise sensitivity, making studying seem like an impossible task.

That can lead you to be less productive, which can be stressful when you have deadlines looming – and you’re already stressed from being stuck in a noisy environment. It feels like a vicious cycle.

Wearing earplugs to study can take the edge off, to create a quieter, calmer environment. That means that you’re less likely to be distracted, and more likely to stay focused – leading to study success.