[headdict]

The hf5 more or less disappear in my ear canal. I don't usually sleep with iems but it once happened with hf5 by accident. But stay away from er4. They do stick out a lot more.

 

[always learning]

Odd to read about a significant comfort difference between the hf5 & er4. Some head-fiers say that they sleep well & comfortably with their ER4 iem's. I suppose folks' ears are significantly different, both in shape and what is heard through 'em.

 

[waynes world]

I was in the same situation, with a bipap machine, for many years.
I've found that the better the iems seal in my ears, the better the isolation I get from the hisssssss sound of the airflow.
I've slept with a lot of different ones over the years.  (please don't judge me for that  LOL)
My favorites, and the ones I use most, are the Phillips 3590's.  They are certainly not my best sounding iems, but they are not horrible by far.  And they're so darned light and cheap, so I won't be terribly upset if I destroy them in the night.  That said, I've used the same pair almost nightly for over 2 years now, and they  still work fine.  Available on Amazon for about 10 bucks.  I plug them into a Sansa Clip+, which I clip to my headstrap and then wind the cord as short as possible.  No tangles no fuss, and I can listen to music, or audio books from Audible.com, all night long.
Sweet drams!
BG

I think you win the "best advice" prize BG! Heck, I wanna try out those phillips myself now

 

[alv4426]

I found both the er4 and hf5 to be comfortable (it feels weird at first cause you basically shove them in until you hit brain) but both stuck out at least a little from my ears. I roll a lot in my sleep I would hate to roll my head over with one of those iems since I would jolt myself awake with pain and damaged eardrum. Plus isolation is better than anything I've ever used so I'd sleep through my own death in case of a fire/earthquake/or any alarm. Like everything Ymmv since different ear types won't have my issues and could still enjoy the awesomeness that is etymotic.

 

[headdict]

I tried to imagine an ear shape where the er4 would not stick out, but to no avail. I'm puzzled. Maybe if someone could post a picture...?

 

[Bothand Nether]

As a musician I have always used ear plugs on stage, the best ones are actually made from casts they take of one's ear canal.
They are physically unnoticeable to me, and have adjustable inserts of varying DB lvls.
 
My question is:
Has anyone done that with IEM Buds?
If they havent, I think it should be done because it would make a great replacement bud for my AKG Q350s.
 
Perhaps the right kind of ear Doctor could make a cast for You,
and modify them to fit on Your existing IEM's...-for perhaps less than the cost/hassle of purchasing a new set.
 
If they can make a cast of one's ear canal, then why not have a cast of the IEM housing and a hole, too?
 
 
I am a maker so I get silly ideas sometimes, forgive me.

 
 
I hope that You can find the perfect soloution, sleeping peacefully is a must. methinx.

 

[alv4426]

You just described a Custom in ear monitor (CIEM) which is a whole custom molded IEM or just custom molded tips for universal IEMs. Neither is a new idea or cheap.
Quote:

  As a musician I have always ..... SNIP

 

[BGRoberts]

I think you win the "best advice" prize BG! Heck, I wanna try out those phillips myself now

I personally like the "no worries" aspect of 'em.

 

[Bothand Nether]

I used the shure SE215 iem's when I played a large venue, but they were not hand-casted to fit my ear canals.
They were very low-profile, and quite comfortable, but as our drummer uses a 26" kick, they Bled a little bit
 
 
If You do have 350 clams to experiment with: 
Gorilla AT-2 custom IEMs
 
I'd see about hacking up a set of plugs My insurance would buy for me, before I experiment with anything, though.

 

[always learning]

Thanks Bothand Nether.  I'm trying to loacte a used pair of Westone 20 or 20's.  Ispoke with Westone.  They are very low profile, and reviewers state that they isolate exceptionally well.  Now I need to be patient to locate a pair.

 

[Bothand Nether]

Not sure if these are the ones You are looking for:
 
Westone UM PRO 20 Dual Driver In-Ear Headphone
 
FWIW There is also a fellow on ebay that will make custom molds for the westone um pro 20 .
 
LET US CUSTOM MOLD YOUR WESTONE UM PRO 10 20 30 Satisfaction Guaranteed

 

[waynes world]

  I personally like the "no worries" aspect of 'em.

 
Well, at $11.59, there's not a lot to worry about... ordered!
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/261306527075?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[BGRoberts]

Curious to hear how things have worked out.