I'm on the earbud bus too! If its that unbearable without the buds than go with whats comfortable! Holosync technology is great but it wasn't used with PLs until recently anyhow. Yes you loose some aspect of the PLs with holosync...but they still work fantastic without them!
When I have earbuds in and its a certain volume I don't much around me. I've been in a busy store, motorcycle and yes a plane!
Good luck,
Dan
