Earplug Questions- NGC

[rss29]

I normally wear disposable foam earplugs under my helmet but unless I trim them to be a bit shorter I still find them to be uncomfortable. I've been considering the custom molded versions, but it looks like there's a big swing in price- from a $10 make at home kit, to a $60 mail in option, to an audiologist visit that costs ???

Anyone have experience and/or recommendations on custom molded plugs? I presume the professional ones would be the best option- how much can I expect to pay for them? They appear to be flush with the ear so I'm hoping they're more comfortable than the foam versions. I don't know if my ears are just sensitive, but anything pressing against them becomes almost unbearably painful after a couple of hours.

[Lannis]

I normally wear disposable foam earplugs under my helmet but unless I trim them to be a bit shorter I still find them to be uncomfortable. I've been considering the custom molded versions, but it looks like there's a big swing in price- from a $10 make at home kit, to a $60 mail in option, to an audiologist visit that costs ???

Anyone have experience and/or recommendations on custom molded plugs? I presume the professional ones would be the best option- how much can I expect to pay for them? They appear to be flush with the ear so I'm hoping they're more comfortable than the foam versions. I don't know if my ears are just sensitive, but anything pressing against them becomes almost unbearably painful after a couple of hours.

I hated foam earplugs, not only did they make my ears sore but I felt like I was isolated from the world in a diver's helmet, with nothing but the resonation of my own voice and breathing on my senses.

So I didn't wear hearing protection for years, depending on the padding in my helmet to cut down on dangerous sounds.   

That doesn't work, as a I found when my audiologist checked and found that I had a 30% (I think) hearing loss in the 4000 hertz range, about where "wind noise" is.   It's not the motor, I always use quiet pipes, but the wind is a real problem year after year.

You can't get the hearing function back, so to avoid further hearing loss but to "get around" the "diver's helmet" problem, my audiologist made me a set of custom-molded plugs that have a small "waveguide" molded all the way through (just a small channel) which is sized to block out the 4000 hz "SSSHHHH" noise but still lets voices and stuff through.

It was about $75 for the audiologist visit and about $90 for the earplugs, about $170 in all.

Compare that to being able to hear, and it's nothing, like dropping a penny in a slot ..... 

Lannis

[canuguzzi]

Went the route of ear plugs. Then went and bought a real quiet helmet, world of difference. To make it even quieter, some memory foam type padding in the ear well of the helmet made it even quieter.

If I add some music player type ear phones I can barely hear the engine running. A really quiet helmet is far more comfortable than any ear plugs if it works for you.

[threebrits]

I did the custom molded ones at a motorcycle show.  They work much better than foam or the ones like ear buds.  However one ear is harder to seat the plug than the other and it is the one that can be irritating if I don't take the time to work it all the way in.  Once in properly they are very comfortable and stay put.  That's about all I have on the subject.  And they were about $60, and worth it in my opinion.

Oh, one other thing...
The only  problem I ran into was this girl pulled up next to me at a stop light on ninja.  She was pretty hot, and was talking to me.  I could barely hear a word she was saying and I mostly nodded and tried to talk back but probably just looked like a doofus. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

The custom molded ear plugs are nice. The Kid has some with speakers for music.
I'm too cheap, (Guzzi content) and just use ear plugs. Everyone's ear canal is different, and there are *many* different sizes/textures on the market if you look. Dorcia uses a completely different ear plug than I do. We buy them by the box from an industrial safety (on line) store.. cheap.
I have a hearing condition called "deaf as a post" from the motorcycle, airplane, industrial noise, rock concerts, etc. As Lannis sez, it only gets worse. Use something.

[rdbandkab]

Every couple of years, we'll go the the International Motorcycle Show in Cleveland and get the custom fitted plugs by FIT-EAR.
Best $120(for both) we'll ever spend.   Comfortable and quiet..

[Wayne Orwig]

I have a hearing condition called "deaf as a post" from the motorcycle, airplane, industrial noise, rock concerts, etc.

WHAT?

I have no problem wearing the cheap foam earplugs for days on end. They claim 32 or 33dB reduction. But, my genes have doomed me to listing to a 4,200Hz whistle all of the time.

[Dogwalker]

I use these.

[Steph]

Can't comment on molded ear plugs, I now use Laser Lite. They are good.

[Travman]

I hated foam earplugs, not only did they make my ears sore but I felt like I was isolated from the world in a diver's helmet, with nothing but the resonation of my own voice and breathing on my senses.

So I didn't wear hearing protection for years, depending on the padding in my helmet to cut down on dangerous sounds.   

That doesn't work, as a I found when my audiologist checked and found that I had a 30% (I think) hearing loss in the 4000 hertz range, about where "wind noise" is.   It's not the motor, I always use quiet pipes, but the wind is a real problem year after year.

You can't get the hearing function back, so to avoid further hearing loss but to "get around" the "diver's helmet" problem, my audiologist made me a set of custom-molded plugs that have a small "waveguide" molded all the way through (just a small channel) which is sized to block out the 4000 hz "SSSHHHH" noise but still lets voices and stuff through.

It was about $75 for the audiologist visit and about $90 for the earplugs, about $170 in all.

Compare that to being able to hear, and it's nothing, like dropping a penny in a slot ..... 

Lannis

I'm a Hearing Aid Specialist.  I make and use the style of custom ear plugs that Lannis is talking about.  We call them "Motorcyclist Hear Savers".  They do have a small canal that allows a little sound through, but doesn't let the higher frequencies through.  So this cuts out all of that wind noise. 

Foam earplugs work well if they fit. I have a relatively small ear canal with a sharp bend so the larger foam earplugs will not work.  I can get the smaller styles to stay in but it takes about 30 seconds to put ear one in.  I have to hold the earplug in and slowly let the foam expand into the canal. If I'm not patient then the expanding foam will push the earplug out of the canal. 

I have never found a helmet that is quiet enough to do the job of earplugs and I've tried many of the high end brands.  My current Shoei is many magnitudes quieter than some less expensive brands, but I still prefer to have some sort of hearing protection in my ears.  It allows my to hear more of the important sounds without all of that wind noise. 

[kirb]

I went round and round with this problem. I can't make foam plugs work in my ears..ever. I finally bit the bullet and went with these:
https://www.westone.com/

Specifically these: http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/hearing-protection/es49-custom-hearing-protection.html

They have filters that work across the entire frequency spectrum. You can use in-helmet speakers and still hear them. I bought the 15db filters and feel they are the best for my use. 25db would be too much attenuation. They also have solid plastic plugs that drop it even lower if needed. The cost of the audiologist was in the price of the plugs (~$150). Worth. Every. Penny.

The motorcycle specific ones are no longer directly on the site, but these are similar: http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/hearing-protection/tru-custom-hearing-protection.html
univerisal (non-custom): http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/hearing-protection/tru-universal-hearing-protection-recreational.html

I wouldn't get the clear molds...they are hard to see when dropped. Get something colored that you can see on the ground, in the grass, etc. They fit my ear canal perfectly and are all-day comfortable. Suggest these any time someone is serious about hearing protection. Don't bother if you are going to penny pinch.

Also, consider a Shoei Quest helmet. One of the quietest I have tried. Schuberth is also known to be very quiet.

[not-fishing]

I also have the problem with the foamies hurting my ears after an hour or so.

Years ago I had a set of customs with electronics made up for pheasant hunting but I lost them soon after.  Customs are fine if you don't loose them very often

I use Surefire EP4's with the plugs in.  They come in three sizes.  Most of the time I can get my Scorpion full face helmet on without dislodging them but not always.

After finding the right size I bought 4 sets so that I always have them.  yeah it's a Boy Scout thing



I just take one out when I need to hear.......and forget to take them out around the wife     

[groundhog105]

I am a distributor for EAR Inc. and make the custom molded plugs that are made at the bike events. I charge $65.00 for both ears.  I used the foam plugs for many years and finally had some custom molded plugs made at a race about 20 years ago and they lasted for over 10 years. Money well spent. I suggest you get the  earplugs made to fit your ear canal.

[Lannis]

I have never found a helmet that is quiet enough to do the job of earplugs and I've tried many of the high end brands.  My current Shoei is many magnitudes quieter than some less expensive brands, but I still prefer to have some sort of hearing protection in my ears.  It allows my to hear more of the important sounds without all of that wind noise.

Here's the other thing.   If you get a good set of molded earplugs made for you, then you no longer have to worry about spending hundreds of dollars in premium helmet costs trying to address getting a "quiet" helmet.   You can get a helmet that is protective, and comfortable, and has good peripheral vision, and easy-to-operate visors, and all that good stuff, without having to worry about "Is It Quiet Too?"    That ALONE may pay for a couple of sets of plugs custom-made by a hearing professional.

Lannis

[PJPR01]

Sounds like (pun intended) that a potential Wildguzzi group buy is in order for those who might want to order a set of Custom Plugs from those here (not hear) who manufacture them.  How about getting together 10 or more buyers here and offering a discount...captive audience!  :)

Other simpler alternatives are silicone plugs (swimmers plus) which cause no discomfort compared to the foam ones, and are moldable/pliable.  There is another set of the bluish/putty type plugs that I use interchangeably with the silicone ones, but I can't remember the name of them at the moment.  Ultra comfortable, soft and don't end up irritating the ear canal.  You could also use a slight lubricant on the ear plug so that it seals a bit..nothing terribly invasive that would cause any sort of infection though.

[Lannis]

Sounds like (pun intended) that a potential Wildguzzi group buy is in order for those who might want to order a set of Custom Plugs from those here (not hear) who manufacture them.  How about getting together 10 or more buyers here and offering a discount...captive audience!  :)

Other simpler alternatives are silicone plugs (swimmers plus) which cause no discomfort compared to the foam ones, and are moldable/pliable.  There is another set of the bluish/putty type plugs that I use interchangeably with the silicone ones, but I can't remember the name of them at the moment.  Ultra comfortable, soft and don't end up irritating the ear canal.  You could also use a slight lubricant on the ear plug so that it seals a bit..nothing terribly invasive that would cause any sort of infection though.

Even if there's no ear-canal-tissue discomfort, the "silicone plugs" and "foam plugs" do exactly that - PLUG everything up.   For me, it's very disconcerting to have my ear completely plugged up.   My balance suffers (not a good thing on a motorcycle) and it almost gives me a claustrophobic feeling.   I suspect that's why some people hate to wear them, even if they don't KNOW that's the reason for the strange uncomfortableness (if there is such a word) .....

Lannis

[ITSec]

I wear a set of custom molded plugs that I got free (for a donation) from another riding group (mctourers.com). I keep some of the throw-aways on the bike and hand them out to other riders when I can. If you ride a bike more than 20 minutes at a time, especially at highway speeds, spend what it takes to get quality, comfortable earplugs. Period.

[jackson]

There is another set of the bluish/putty type plugs that I use interchangeably with the silicone ones, but I can't remember the name of them at the moment.  Ultra comfortable, soft and don't end up irritating the ear canal.  You could also use a slight lubricant on the ear plug so that it seals a bit..nothing terribly invasive that would cause any sort of infection though.

That would be these plugs:
http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Finest-Plug-12-pair-Personal/dp/B003GVTDQW/ref=pd_sim_194_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GVS233WNSHG6QFRAET3&dpID=41u4yIK0QGL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

They used to be sold under another name but these are the same ones that have been sold for a long time.  I have used them and found them to be very good.  I tried custom plugs but still got enough noise to be disconcerting so I mainly use silicone plugs.  I never ride for more than 2-2 1/2 hours at a time any more so they work for me. 

[PJPR01]

Even if there's no ear-canal-tissue discomfort, the "silicone plugs" and "foam plugs" do exactly that - PLUG everything up.   For me, it's very disconcerting to have my ear completely plugged up.   My balance suffers (not a good thing on a motorcycle) and it almost gives me a claustrophobic feeling.   I suspect that's why some people hate to wear them, even if they don't KNOW that's the reason for the strange uncomfortableness (if there is such a word) .....

Lannis

  Good point...that would be uncomfortable if it makes you feel dizzy or has that type of side effect. 

Yup...those are the blue plugs above...I like them because they are so soft and moldable, zero irritation of the ear canal.  Another trick I have found is to just tear one large plug into 2 and use each 1/2 in each ear (not so small that they are irretrievable of course!).  Seems to work well...can ride all day with no irritation (of the ears that is!  :) )

[jackson]

Yup...those are the blue plugs above...I like them because they are so soft and moldable, zero irritation of the ear canal.  Another trick I have found is to just tear one large plug into 2 and use each 1/2 in each ear (not so small that they are irretrievable of course!).  Seems to work well...can ride all day with no irritation (of the ears that is!  :) )

I do the same thing (1/2 of a plug in each ear) when I use those.  I bought a bunch of them over 7-8 years ago when they were much cheaper and still have around a dozen left.  I alternate between the blue ones and silicone plugs.   

[redrider90]

Most foam make my ear canals hurt after an hour our 2. I figured out why. My helmet rises on my head at hwy speeds and forces the interior of the helmet upwards and compresses the foam plug. But I need 100% reduction of wind noise. I cannot tolerate even the slightest amount of wind passing into my ear. I have very sensitive ears after suffering from a virus 25 years ago. I cannot even hammer one nail without setting off my tinnitus.
So I found a soft ear plug that I can use only once or twice because they breakdown. But I can wear them all day and no pain. They are found in generic boxes in drug stores priced rather high but on ebay I buy 200 pair for $37. You can find them at any drug store and by a small box to see if you like them. Most disposable plugs density are just too strong for me.
 Flents Quiet Please Foam Ear Plugs NRR29

[v7john]

It's interesting to hear all your comments. I have tinnitus unrelated to my motorcycling but as a result of chronic migraine. I've never used ear plugs, as I couldn't get on with the disposable sort, and now my hearing has deteriorated as well. A group of us, here in Wales, have an audiologist coming to our Guzzi group meet this month to do a "job lot" of personalised fittings.