Oh well lube would make a huge difference, it's true. Some places require me to wear foam ones for health and safety reasons, and I always put water on them, for softness and a good seal. By calling the silicone ones fussy I just meant that they need washing, really (I am lazy). I buy big boxes of wax ones, they cost approximately nothing and come with a little storage container, and then I throw the current pair away after a week or two, mainly because they start to look gross (I suspect bacteria don't actually find paraffin wax hospitable).

I have the same experience with foam being best at noise blocking. The brand makes a big difference. 3M ear plugs are terrible. Best brand is Oropax.

> they make special ear lube

huh, potentially a game-changer. Thank you!