Need Earplugs, but ER20 not enough

Hi All.

I take the subway everyday 40mins each way, and through many ethnic neighborhoods, so there are always people speaking loudly in foreign languages. I am very annoyed especially when someone has their music VERY loud (if you've been on a train, you know what I'm talking about), or when they are talking VERY loudly on the phone next to my ear.

Needless to say, it is VERY annoying. Sorry for the emphasis on "very".

Earlier this year, I bought a pair of ER20s. They did help a little, but the conversations in foreign languages were still audible, and the music was still audible. I don't want to hear any of it.

So perhaps it is good that I lost my ER20's last weekend. I had the "large" size, and it seems that they were too large, as I often had difficulty putting them in. Also, they were tearing apart.

For someone who has to take the train through such rough environments, what kind of hearing protection can I get? It seems that 20db is not enough. Will I have to go to custom earplugs, or maybe compliment earplugs with one of those mufflers (I bet that would be odd though).

Thanks for any help received!

I don't think its weird. "Weirdness" is in the mind, and is usually imposed by the opinions of others. I don't care too much about what other people think.

The fact is, public transit is very loud, and very annoying, and hearing people speaking loudly in a language I don't understand makes it even worse. 

I looked up the er20's again, and it seems like it only decreases the volume by 12db or so.

hmm, what if I don't want to listen to music on the train?

That would involve purchasing IEMs, and getting additional expenses that I don't want. I usually only listen to music at home.

Anyone else have another suggestion.