Noise level inside planes vary significantly. Take-off and landing are the loudest moments, when noise levels inside the cabin can reach 105 decibels (dB). At cruising altitudes, noise drops to around 85 dB (some plane companies claim it can be as low as 65dB during cruising). But even at lower levels, it is still near the occupational noise exposure limit! In pursuit of something to help me sleep or at least rest on long flights (as I’m a hopelessly bad/light sleeper), I found that …noise cancelling earphones/headphones help a lot, and once I get into a movie or music using the noise cancelling mode, I tend to totally forget about the flight noise – it’s that good. But one does have to take them off (or switch them to ambient awareness mode) if you want to hear what the air-hostesses are saying. I tried several pairs from different brands and found that Bose produces the best noise cancelling ear or headphones- amazing in reducing flight noises (they are also highly recommended in online reviews). As a matter fact, during my a recent flight, I took it off and found that the noise suddenly became so loud that I thought there’s something wrong with the plane! And I’ve to check out the window to see the engine to relieve my concern! They’re really amazing.
I recommend 2 models – the Quiet Comfort 30 (headphone – but very comfortable as it’s light and uses high quality leather ear cushions) and the QC20 (2015 model earphone – with silicone “ear-wings”). The silicone ear-wings (flaps locked inside your ear) help to isolate outside noise is an important and useful feature in the case of the earphones as they don’t provide an enclosure around your ears. Anyway, you can’t go wrong with either of them and they have provided me many hours of calm rest during long flights. Of course, you can use them during bus journeys or similar too, but using for daily walking in the street is discouraged as they are so effective that you may lose your alertness of the surroundings including dangerous traffic!
PS: The above are just my personal experience sharing and I have not got any benefit from Bose.