Hearing Protection

[AlexL95]

Hey! I just saw this video about Big Ear custom IEM/hearing protection and I want to know if any of you here tried their products. I'd love to get myself a pair but I want to know if their a bang for the buck. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

[kingoffleece]

I tried Big Ear.

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-MAX-1-Plugs-Uncorded/dp/B0033YLEGO
I found these much better for sound, comfort, and price.

[Rich A]

I shoot trap & skeet. The consensus is that the cheap foam earplugs are as good as--if not better than--anything you can buy, provided they are properly inserted.

Rich A

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

I use foam earplugs liberated from work!

[Lannis]

I shoot trap & skeet. The consensus is that the cheap foam earplugs are as good as--if not better than--anything you can buy, provided they are properly inserted.

Rich A

They're protective all right, but I feel like I'm in a deep-sea diver's helmet when I use them, and they're uncomfortable.

I spend $150 every 5 years or so (I lose them  ) on a custom molded pair from my audiologist, made with a "waveguide" through the middle to pass voice frequencies but to block motorcycle wind noise and gunfire.   Comfy, effective, keeps you connected with the world.

Lannis

[nobleswood]

They're protective all right, but I feel like I'm in a deep-sea diver's helmet when I use them, and they're uncomfortable.

I spend $150 every 5 years or so (I lose them  ) on a custom molded pair from my audiologist, made with a "waveguide" through the middle to pass voice frequencies but to block motorcycle wind noise and gunfire.   Comfy, effective, keeps you connected with the world.

Lannis

I went to an audiologist, who confirmed the hearing loss & tinnitus in my left ear from working construction. While there he sold me custom silicon molded earplugs for $120-. While they may be good they rub on the inside of the helmet which creates a 'noise' rendering them useless for riding.
I use 'E A R soft Grippers by 3M from the Earplug store. The key is pulling on the upper part of your ear to open the ear canal & then giving the plug time to expand in your ear.
Wearing plugs does give you that 'underwater' feeling. Some get used to it

[Lannis]

I went to an audiologist, who confirmed the hearing loss & tinnitus in my left ear from working construction. While there he sold me custom silicon molded earplugs for $120-. While they may be good they rub on the inside of the helmet which creates a 'noise' rendering them useless for riding.
I use 'E A R soft Grippers by 3M from the Earplug store. The key is pulling on the upper part of your ear to open the ear canal & then giving the plug time to expand in your ear.
Wearing plugs does give you that 'underwater' feeling. Some get used to it

Shoulda sprung for the $150 ones that don't rub the liner   

[Dilliw]

I went with "concert" plugs this year.  Definitely louder than foam but better for the in helmet comm.

There's always a trade-off!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K2T3XRX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Groover]

I have a set of custom fitted musicians ear plugs that I've tried under my helmet, but for some reason the helmet puts pressure on them and my ears hurt after a while and have to take them out. Maybe they weren't molded properly. Either way, I settled using standard foam ones from CVS (purple type, can't remember the rating) but I cut them in half longwise. That seems to give the right attenuation balance for me to subdue the wind noise, but still allow me to hear everything.

[redrider90]

Due to tinnitus which is easily made worse from hammering a nail to cutting wood and to any air leak though my helmet. The only thing I found that stops all air leaks is foam. Even then some foam it too hard to wear all day. I found that my full face Aria lifts on my head and high speeds. So on a long day my ear canals will hurt from the compression of harder foam plugs. So I go to softer plugs that do no last as long but sure work. One little air pocket and I have to pull and put. new on in. I can be no fun to ride with if I am fiddling with my plugs. 

[wirespokes]

A part of my gear I've worn for the last 20 years is a foam neck wrap that looks something like a neck brace. The primary objective was to cut down wind noise because ear plugs and I don't get along. It not only cut down wind noise, but keeps me warm in the winter, cool in the summer and saved my neck in a tangle with an elk. It might look odd, but I feel naked without it.

[drbone641]

I used to use the E A R yellow foam plugs while flying, But have switched to the Howard Leight because United Airlines provided them. They are softer and denser and I believe have a rating of 32 db reduction.
I did learn a trick with both type that help in the comfort side, as the full plugs start being a bit painful after a while. I cut a small pie slice out of the inside part of the foam. It leaves the big bell on the outside, yet doesn't hurt my ear and it seems to allow just a bit more mid range sound in. As for noise reduction, I switched to a Bose active noise cancelling headset for my last few years in the 737. Seemed a lot quieter, however I started noticing my Tinnitus getting worse. There is a lot of speculation that the anti noise that the noise canceling headsets uses to overwrite the sound actually being 'heard', is also heard and contributes to the overall clutter of input that your hearing actually has to deal with. You just don't notice it because of it's properties. Lot's of pilots with tinnitus, now looking at the Howard Leights as a go to.

[buster1]

Hey! I just saw this video about Big Ear custom IEM/hearing protection and I want to know if any of you here tried their products. I'd love to get myself a pair but I want to know if their a bang for the buck. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

I have been useing them for maby 9 years,On my second set. I have tryed most of the foam and a few of the gel. Big Ear custom ear plugs work great for me.
David.

[Moparnut72]

I wore a set of custom molded ear plugs I got at a gun show years ago. On a trip a couple of summers ago they weren't working so well. I went to a sporting goods store on my trip and bought a do it yourself ear plug kit. I made a new set right in the campground. You can mold them so they don't interfere with your helmet. They work great. Cost about $13. I read that your ear canal will change over the years. That was why my old ones weren't working so well. FWIIW foam plugs irritate my ear canals if I wear them for long periods of time.
kk

[PJPR01]

As shared on prior posts - Decibullz are the best solution I have found, very comfortable for all day riding, has the canal in them with a cap so you can hear someone, no pressure from the helmet, and comes in many bright colors, so they're easy to find.  Also avoids that sea diver's helmet sensation of a full plug...

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-earplugs/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA04XxBRD5ARIsAGFygj8M1oqYxeusR6YXmMUM7CQ1v0KP7K3JgaNvkTKLxk6zVI9-eW4ndGYaAmuEEALw_wcB

[s1120]

As shared on prior posts - Decibullz are the best solution I have found, very comfortable for all day riding, has the canal in them with a cap so you can hear someone, no pressure from the helmet, and comes in many bright colors, so they're easy to find.  Also avoids that sea diver's helmet sensation of a full plug...

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-earplugs/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA04XxBRD5ARIsAGFygj8M1oqYxeusR6YXmMUM7CQ1v0KP7K3JgaNvkTKLxk6zVI9-eW4ndGYaAmuEEALw_wcB

That looks pretty cool. I dont wear plugs, but I really should. Years of working on cars, and racing them has clearly effected my hearing. I dont do well with foam at all. Normally using equipment, and shooting I wear muffs, but thats not possible on the bike..  Ill have to look into these and give them a shot.

[PJPR01]

I think you'll like them Paul...really comfortable for me at least, various sizing of the rubber portion, and so easy to use.

[LowRyter]

I went to the Cycle World Show in Dallas several years ago.  Some guy at a both poured some rubberized plastic in my ears and let it set for a while.  He charged be $60 or so.  I got a red one for my right ear and black for my left.  Works well. 

Previously, I was only able to use one foam style to work for me.  The others were useless, so it's been nice having some permanent ones.   

[Cdn850T5NT]

I tried Big Ear.

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-MAX-1-Plugs-Uncorded/dp/B0033YLEGO
I found these much better for sound, comfort, and price.

I really like Howard Leight Max. NRR 33. Easy to insert when they have not been heated (say) in your breast pocket hehe. Don't hurt my ears when helmet foam presses inwards. Pretty darned effective. Cheap. What's not to like?

[Testarossa]

Howard Leight. 15c a pair in a box of 100 pair, corded. Keep a few in my tank bag. Work well and no sweat if you lose a pair.
https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Visibility-Disposable-LL-30/dp/B0017JIT4C/ref=sr_1_24?keywords=foam+earplugs&qid=1579325731&s=hi&sr=1-24

[Tom]

I've used the cheap foam ones that were supplied at work.  They work for me.  I buy and use whatever I can buy when I need them at any hardware store.  The trick is proper installation when using them.  Follow the instructions.

[frozengoose]

I've used the cheap foam ones that were supplied at work.  They work for me.  I buy and use whatever I can buy when I need them at any hardware store.  The trick is proper installation when using them.  Follow the instructions.

Totally agree. Have used all kinds and while the yellow tubular kind seem to stay in the best, the other soft foam types work well and never have had any issues when wearing a helmet. I think hearing loss, like arthritis, is a natural part of aging and ear protection may do little to prevent it. My wife, who has never run heavy equipment, chain saws, or ridden bikes and snow machines like I have, has similar problems with hearing loss and tinnitus. Do what you can, but old age takes it's toll and wins out in the end.

[Lannis]

Totally agree. Have used all kinds and while the yellow tubular kind seem to stay in the best, the other soft foam types work well and never have had any issues when wearing a helmet. I think hearing loss, like arthritis, is a natural part of aging and ear protection may do little to prevent it. My wife, who has never run heavy equipment, chain saws, or ridden bikes and snow machines like I have, has similar problems with hearing loss and tinnitus. Do what you can, but old age takes it's toll and wins out in the end.

That's all true ... my hearing in my left ear at certain frequencies is degrading year by year, so that the "loss" graph, which varied by frequency from "normal" to "moderate" loss 3 years ago, is mostly in the "moderate" and touching "severe" at one point.

This is despite religious use of hearing protection when needed or even suspected needed.

BUT the "do what you can" is very important and not just a side note, because as opposed to a lot of other things which can be fixed and made better, any hearing loss, once gone, can't be gotten back.

One advantage that I have over many people I know is that I'm not too scared or too vain to use a prosthetic if it will help me.   When I need a hearing aid, I'm getting a hearing aid, I don't care what it "looks" like to others ... !!

Lannis

[kirby1923]

I guess I travel a different path than those that like custom molded ear protection.

Most hearing problems come from certain frequencies related to relative work or living environments. Me I have lost a lot of the clear sounds coming for the frequency generated by J 79 jet engines as I have a lot of time around those engines (Phantom F-4) with no hearing protections as we didn't put much emphasis on that sort of thing years ago.
(Proven in hearing booth test and correlated to J-79)

Loud noise does effect, or contribute to hearing loss.

What I have found is you lose your ability to hear vowel sounds clearly which makes it hard to understand speech, I mean I can still hear noise but the vowels are somewhat muted. So since I would like to preserve what hearing clarity I have, I take hearing protection seriously these days.

Also I have motos and gear spread over a lot of different places therefore my system is rooted in the foam plugs, the throw away type. I use Macs and buy them my the gross (144 per container).

I have found that depending how far I install them in the ear canal, I get up to 32 Db protection depending on what kind of riding I'm doing. All day on the road by myself they go deep, but when riding w/ someone or local not so deep so I can hear the moto and conversation is not bad.

Typically I will use at least two sets on an all day ride as they get dirty from my fingers rolling them up for installation.

I remove the plugs any time I remove my helmet for more than a few minuets', like on a gas stop or break. I always dismount for fueling as the side or center stand grounds the moto (aviation background, always ground the machine while fueling.)

In short I take the plugs out and helmet off at every opportunity when going long cross country. I keep a small plastic bag with 4/6 plugs in all my tank bags and jackets.

If I got custom plugs (which may be better and more comfortable), I would probably loose them in short order or they would be in some place other than where I am.

Old foggy for sure....

:-)


 

[kirby1923]

Totally agree. Have used all kinds and while the yellow tubular kind seem to stay in the best, the other soft foam types work well and never have had any issues when wearing a helmet. I think hearing loss, like arthritis, is a natural part of aging and ear protection may do little to prevent it. My wife, who has never run heavy equipment, chain saws, or ridden bikes and snow machines like I have, has similar problems with hearing loss and tinnitus. Do what you can, but old age takes it's toll and wins out in the end.

Not so sure...

I suspect that if any of us were transported back in time about 300 years or so we would be astonished on how quite it is. I mean not too many things then would be generating loud noises.

Today we live in a sea of noise of all kinds from loud rock music to straight pipes or just daily life in the modern world. We would most likely go from cradle to grave w/o much hearing loss back then.(discounting some sort of medical factor)

Same for sight, with staring at computer screens or TVs smart phones Ugh!, for hours it has to be detrimental to sight.

Diet also probably is a factor as today we get pesticides and all sorts of compounds in processed food that must have an effect.

sigh!

:-)

[Cdn850T5NT]

I guess I travel a different path than those that like custom molded ear protection.

Most hearing problems come from certain frequencies related to relative work or living environments. Me I have lost a lot of the clear sounds coming for the frequency generated by J 79 jet engines as I have a lot of time around those engines (Phantom F-4) with no hearing protections as we didn't put much emphasis on that sort of thing years ago.
(Proven in hearing booth test and correlated to J-79)

Loud noise does effect, or contrite to hearing loss.

What I have found is you lose your ability to hear vowel sounds clearly which makes it hard to understand speech, I mean I can still hear noise but the vowels are somewhat muted. So since I would like to preserve what hearing clarity I have, I take hearing protection seriously these days.

Also I have motos and gear spread over a lot of different places therefore my system is rooted in the foam plugs, the throw away type. I use Macs and buy them my the gross (144 per container).

I have found that depending how far I install them in the ear canal, I get up to 32 Db protection depending on what kind of riding I'm doing. All day on the road by myself they go deep, but when riding w/ someone or local not so deep so I can hear the moto and conversation is not bad.

Typically I will use at least two sets on an all day ride as they get dirty from my fingers rolling them up for installation.

I remove the plugs any time I remove my helmet for more than a few minuets', like on a gas stop or break. I always dismount for fueling as the side or center stand grounds the moto (aviation background, always ground the machine while fueling.)

In short I take the plugs out and helmet off at every opportunity when going long cross country. I keep a small plastic bag with 4/6 plugs in all my tank bags and jackets.

If I got custom plugs (which may be better and more comfortable), I would probably loose them in short order or they would be in some place other than where I am.

Old foggy for sure....

:-)

Great thought on grounding the moto... with the sidestand or the centrestand...

[Lannis]

Great thought on grounding the moto... with the sidestand or the centrestand...

I totally understand the principle .... but do we know or have we ever heard of anyone whose bike caught fire because they were filling it while still on it (two boots and two tires on the ground), and a spark jumped between the nozzle and the tank rim?

There's several issues where I protect myself with money or effort from "LOW probability, HIGH consequence" risk, and a bike catching fire while you're straddling it certainly qualifies as "high consequence" ---- however, if the event probability is sufficiently low, it's sort of not worth the effort ... ?

Lannis

[frozengoose]

Not so sure...

I suspect that if any of us were transported back in time about 300 years or so we would be astonished on how quite it is. I mean not too many things then would be generating loud noises.

Today we live in a sea of noise of all kinds from loud rock music to straight pipes or just daily life in the modern world. We would most likely go from cradle to grave w/o much hearing loss back then.(discounting some sort of medical factor)

Same for sight, with staring at computer screens or TVs smart phones Ugh!, for hours it has to be detrimental to sight.

Diet also probably is a factor as today we get pesticides and all sorts of compounds in processed food that must have an effect.

sigh!

:-)

Pretty much everything I've read says hearing loss is a natural part of aging, as the parts of the inner ear slowly degenerate and become less functional, just like the rest of the body. Certainly exposure to loud noise can accelerate the process, but if loud music and other noises were the main factor, then most older folks wouldn't need haring aids, and many of them do. It's easy to blame the "modern life style" for all our problems, but 300 years ago, most people probably didn't live long enough to develop the old age related issues we have today. Just saying:)

[kirby1923]

Well part of my regiment for battling fatigue on day long or long distance ride is get off the moto and get my helmet off (and plugs).

I'd say the risk of setting the vapors off with a static spark are VERY low for sure. I have seen the results (not in person) of aircraft fires (non grounded A/C) but they are not common but we always ground with a good high continuity ground...its just a habit I have picked up over the years.

Aircraft fuelling is done at a much higher GPM that a normal service station for autos so there is a potential for much higher static buildup.

Anyway not throwing rocks at anybody that does not dismount but you are sitting with the fuel tank between your legs and you face is really close to the fuel in the tank, where on an auto there is a long pipe to the tank and its under the car.

I'm told that the gas pump hoses are grounded and as long as the nozzle  is contacting the filler neck on the moto tank it grounds same..but that is hearsay, however it seems reasonable.

[kirby1923]

Pretty much everything I've read says hearing loss is a natural part of aging, as the parts of the inner ear slowly degenerate and become less functional, just like the rest of the body. Certainly exposure to loud noise can accelerate the process, but if loud music and other noises were the main factor, then most older folks wouldn't need haring aids, and many of them do. It's easy to blame the "modern life style" for all our problems, but 300 years ago, most people probably didn't live long enough to develop the old age related issues we have today. Just saying:)

 Well I have also read that old age will eventually kill you!!
Yipee!

All due respect.

:-)