Sanityseeker, I think you are doing a great job. It will be neat for you to go back and look at this when you've returned for your trip and see how well you controlled your fears. I'm proud of you.

Also, a pharmacy should definitely have earplugs. Try asking the pharmacist where they are, maybe if you remember the store's name, call and ask before you venture out again. If I'm remembering right, ear plugs are usually by other ear cleaning things and by the eye drops? Yes, odd combo, but I think that's where they usually are. You could probably even ask the concierge at your hotel where to find some, they are usually very helpful.