earplug recommendations

[mario]

i'm needing some earplugs that won't be brutal while wearing a fullface.

any suggestions?

[Bugslayer]

I like the disposable foam ear plugs. You can get them at any sporting goods store and of course Wal Mart. For me, I found they work better when they're inserted in the ear backwards.

[The Anvil]

What do you mean by "brutal"?

I like the Hear-O's style foam plugs for wearing with a full or half helmet. They're soft enough so that if you insert them a little too far it doesn't feel like you're being stabbed in the earballs. There are other foam plugs that block more sound but they're typically stiffer foam that can be painful after a while (though the stiffer foam also makes them easier to insert).

[csj]

At all the M'cycle shows I go to there is always a booth where
you can get a special mold made of the exact shape of your
ear, and a few duplicates can be made for about 40 - 60 bucks.

Haven't done it myself, but will soon. From what I've heard from
a friend who did it, it's a better fit than the foam plugs, less
discomfort after some time on the road.

[popsix]

I've tried a lot of different ones but Hearos foam are my favorite. Wind noise is drastically reduced but you can still hear all the sounds, just a lower volume. Comfortable for hours at a time but I always take them out during breaks and gas stops. That said, Hearos has come out with something they call "Pearls", a silicone plug, that I want to try. Never tried the custom made plugs but there's always someone who will pipe up and say you can't beat 'em.

[BonS]

I just had custom hearing protectors made for me. The visit to the Audiologist, ear cleaning, impressions of each ear canal and the hearing protector was a total of $75. The protectors are for swimmers and other high noise environments. It took about two weeks from the first call to getting them. They fit perfectly and go in and out easily. The helmet doesn't catch on them and I wear a full face. I have the string that ties them together, which is removable, and it means that I don't have to fiddle around with storing them when I pop them out temporarily. I can still hear my (loud) exhaust and other cars and traffic noises but it has definitely taken the edge off of the loud drone and the pressure pulsations that I get at speed in disturbed air.


http://www.westone.com/hearing-protection-products/custom-fit-hearing-protection-products-6

[BonS]

Never tried the custom made plugs but there's always someone who will pipe up and say you can't beat 'em.

(That didn't take long did it?) 

[The Anvil]

I've tried a lot of different ones but Hearos foam are my favorite. Wind noise is drastically reduced but you can still hear all the sounds, just a lower volume. Comfortable for hours at a time but I always take them out during brakes and gas stops. That said, Hearos has come out with something they call "Pearls", a silicone plug, that I want to try. Never tried the custom made plugs but there's always someone who will pipe up and say you can't beat 'em.

I had a pair of custom made plugs. They worked fine but they weren't any more comfy than the Hear-O's and one hell of a lot more expensive to replace. Since they're small and easy to lose I decided not to replace them.

[mario]

What do you mean by "brutal"?

I like the Hear-O's style foam plugs for wearing with a full or half helmet. They're soft enough so that if you insert them a little too far it doesn't feel like you're being stabbed in the earballs. There are other foam plugs that block more sound but they're typically stiffer foam that can be painful after a while (though the stiffer foam also makes them easier to insert).

just what you described, anvil. 
thanks for the input guys.  i'll check into the hear-o's first, i think.  i know gearjammer had his fitted, i forget the co., and he likes them a lot, too.

[Farther]

Here is what I wear, on the rare occasion that I wear:  http://www.surefire.com/EP3-Sonic-Defenders

[Gear Jammer]

What do you mean by "brutal"?

I like the Hear-O's style foam plugs for wearing with a full or half helmet. They're soft enough so that if you insert them a little too far it doesn't feel like you're being stabbed in the earballs. There are other foam plugs that block more sound but they're typically stiffer foam that can be painful after a while (though the stiffer foam also makes them easier to insert).

just what you described, anvil. 
thanks for the input guys.  i'll check into the hear-o's first, i think.  i know gearjammer had his fitted, i forget the co., and he likes them a lot, too.

Mine are in-ear speakers, not simple earplugs.  The company is Kozee Solutions.  http://kozeesolutions.com/

[mario]

Here is what I wear, on the rare occasion that I wear:  http://www.surefire.com/EP3-Sonic-Defenders

farther, just wondering what size you went with?

[Farther]

EP3, size medium I think.  See this chart: http://www.surefire.com/pdfs/EP3_sizingchart.pdf

[Madmike]

If you opt for the custom fit silicone ones you can elect ones that are vented or non vented - they recommend the vented for pressure equalisation for flying etc. and they have a valve in them that reacts to loud noise.  They offer an option of a string between the two plugs to help prevent losing them, I have found that the small wire they insert so that they can fasten the string transmits sound and can be annoying.

When I use disposables I like the softest ones I can find as the harder ones seem to irritate my ear canals.

[Valker]

I've used these for years. They are so comfortable that I can wear them all day every day...all night if there's a need.
www.earplugsonline.com 

[JetDriver]

Motorcycle Consumer News did a study in conjunction with the Audiology Dept. of the University of California Irvine Medical Center and published it in the Sept. 2010 issue.  They looked at custom plugs all the way through to cheap foams, primarily measuring wind noise reduction inside a helmet.  Pretty interesting article (if you like that kind of thing  ).  Some customs did well, others not so much.  The foams (not all the foams) are what ended up being recommended, because they did as well as the customs at a fraction of the cost.  Number one choice was "Leight Laser Lite" foam for $.09 a pair.  Hearos were also recommended at $.50 a pair.  If you can't find them in a store, try www.earplugsuperstore.com  There's lots more detail in their 4 page article.

[Tundra]

I use the blaze orange rubber plugs on a cord, from Home Depot. When we stop riding, pull them out and their always around my neck. I don't have to fiddle with them or look for them. I use them with my power tools and yard tools too. All day comfort.
 I've already lost 45% of my hearing in my left ear. I have The Coast Guard aircrew, shooting and motorcycles to thank for that. It's funny how we take care of ourselves better, later in life when it's too late

[bogator]

 When I want quiet------I take my hearing aids out----

[Chrisj CMA]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

[The Anvil]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

Noise reduction level with a full face helmet alone is far from sufficient. It might be fine for the wind noise part but overall sound pressure levels can be quite comfortable while still being damaging to the ear and fatiguing.

[Chrisj CMA]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

Noise reduction level with a full face helmet alone is far from sufficient. It might be fine for the wind noise part but overall sound pressure levels can be quite comfortable while still being damaging to the ear and fatiguing.

HUH? 

[The Anvil]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

Noise reduction level with a full face helmet alone is far from sufficient. It might be fine for the wind noise part but overall sound pressure levels can be quite comfortable while still being damaging to the ear and fatiguing.

HUH? 

WHAT???

[Steve K (IA)]

I have glass packs on both Valks and when I wear my 3/4 helmet, I HAVE to use ear plugs because the sound of the exhaust is amplified so much.  I use "Max Lite" low pressure foam ear plugs.  I find them very comfortable.
http://www.howardleight.com/ear-protection/single-use/disposable-ear-plugs
Click on "Store Locator".

[JetDriver]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

Noise reduction level with a full face helmet alone is far from sufficient. It might be fine for the wind noise part but overall sound pressure levels can be quite comfortable while still being damaging to the ear and fatiguing.

Yeah, what Anvil says.  I agree, Chris- it seems like a reasonable sound level with a full face, but it's loud enough to cause hearing damage.  Testing results from the article referenced above:  Full face helmet at 36 mph = 90 dB.  96 mph = 110 dB.  Long term exposure to noise over 90 dB can cause gradual hearing loss.

[The Anvil]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

Noise reduction level with a full face helmet alone is far from sufficient. It might be fine for the wind noise part but overall sound pressure levels can be quite comfortable while still being damaging to the ear and fatiguing.

Yeah, what Anvil says.  I agree, Chris- it seems like a reasonable sound level with a full face, but it's loud enough to cause hearing damage.  Testing results from the article referenced above:  Full face helmet at 36 mph = 90 dB.  96 mph = 110 dB.  Long term exposure to noise over 90 dB can cause gradual hearing loss.

Because of the business I work in we get a lot of lectures and info on hearing damage and how to prevent it. What's funny is that I always thought that the kind of abuse I've heaped on my ears was what did the most damage. I've played in a lot of loud rock bands, attended a lot of loud concerts and I like music loud to the point of pain. I just assumed I had good genetics because my hearing is surprisingly good considering how badly I've neglected them. But as it turns out the ear can recover quite well from occasional very high volume excursions. It's long term exposure to sustained noise at a similar frequency (like you'd find on a factory floor or an airport ramp) at what seems like a relatively low volume that really does the damage.

I did ride yesterday for a while without earplugs in and with the 1/2 helmet on. The reduction in wind noise with the shield on is amazing. But I think it's still a bad idea to do very often.

[RP#62]

ear plugs and full face helmet??  I can see ear plugs with no helmet, but with my full face Its pretty darn comfortable as far as the noise level without ear plugs, and thats with baffled Cobras.  Plus, how can you hear the music if you have plugs in......

Noise reduction level with a full face helmet alone is far from sufficient. It might be fine for the wind noise part but overall sound pressure levels can be quite comfortable while still being damaging to the ear and fatiguing.

Yeah, what Anvil says.  I agree, Chris- it seems like a reasonable sound level with a full face, but it's loud enough to cause hearing damage.  Testing results from the article referenced above:  Full face helmet at 36 mph = 90 dB.  96 mph = 110 dB.  Long term exposure to noise over 90 dB can cause gradual hearing loss.

Yeah, but on the bright side, anyone whose worked the flight line for any length of time saves a bundle on expensive stereo equipment. You don't need it since you can't hear the high freq's anyway.
-RP

Because of the business I work in we get a lot of lectures and info on hearing damage and how to prevent it. What's funny is that I always thought that the kind of abuse I've heaped on my ears was what did the most damage. I've played in a lot of loud rock bands, attended a lot of loud concerts and I like music loud to the point of pain. I just assumed I had good genetics because my hearing is surprisingly good considering how badly I've neglected them. But as it turns out the ear can recover quite well from occasional very high volume excursions. It's long term exposure to sustained noise at a similar frequency (like you'd find on a factory floor or an airport ramp) at what seems like a relatively low volume that really does the damage.

I did ride yesterday for a while without earplugs in and with the 1/2 helmet on. The reduction in wind noise with the shield on is amazing. But I think it's still a bad idea to do very often.

[Farther]

My pipes are louder with my 3/4 helmet and shield than my 1/2 helmet to the point that I have to wear ear plugs or the sound is very uncomfortable.

[5_19]

Mario,

http://bigearinc.com/Products/BE-1C.aspx

This what I have used for about 2 years now. The noise reduction is very good. I can listen to music at the lowest setting that my BB allows, this is with a full face helmet. If they would ever break I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with the same unit. The sound on my BB is scaled from 0 - 10 in 10 steps and 0 being mute. Setting 1 is loud enough to hear the music and not too loud so I can still hear outside noise like horns, emergency vehicles, some exhaust, some wind. Enough to be aware of your surrounding.

TJ

[Ricky-D]

Been using these kind for years.

http://www.drugstore.com/macks-aquablock-earplugs-purple/qxp75098?catid=183126&fromsrch=mack+earplugs

They beat everything else.

Lic' 'em n shov' 'em.

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