I’ve tried foam earplugs, but those are impossible to use socially as everything’s too muddy. Also they’d end up sliding out eventually.
I eventually bought audiophile grade earplugs and they are FANTASTIC but the flange tips irritate my ears so bad.
I know circumaural headphones work great, but people have a harder time understanding I’m just using them as a filter to even hear them.
I tried a couple on the market- the flange ones hurt my ears over time, I think the loops are kinda a scam. If either go custom fit if you have the money/insurance or get earasers. They aren't flanged, have multiple sizes and filtering strengths, and you can buy replacement silicone sleeves for cheaper and keep the filters you already bought. They're also very nice people. I had an issue with the fit in one of my ears and called them up and chatted about it, and they got me a return, a different size, a different filter strength all turned around in a few days.
If I had insurance I'd probably get custom molded but the flexibility and the price of the earasers are very good. I have a max filter and sleep filter set and they work great. They're also super discrete, I don't think people can even tell when I have them in