Hearing Protection

[Avi Azrieli]

Over the years, I've tried dozens of ear-plug types. The most effective by far are these. BUT: you have to insert them correctly by: (1) rolling each one tightly, (2) pulling back on the top of your ear, (3) inserting the ear-plug, and (4) holding it in so that it can expand properly. If the seal is good, you'll have peace and quiet while still able to listen to music or take calls if you have in-helmet speakers. Also: they lose elasticity after a few insersions, so toss them away after a day's ride and use a new pair the next day. (Just to clarify, I have nothing to do with this product except as a rider/consumer.)

Flents Foam Ear Plugs, 50 Pair for Sleeping, Snoring, Loud Noise, Traveling, Concerts, Construction, & Studying, Contour to Ears, NRR 29, Beige, Made in the USA

 

[Stephen!]

We have tried some very comfortable and effective foam or wax plugs with in-helmet speakers over the years and the plugs all did a mighty fine job. The problem was, the more effective the ear plugs, the louder we needed to play the in-helmet speakers. So much so that the batteries would not last very long and most everything was distorted. It was because of those issues we ended up going with Ear Fuze ear plugs and have not looked back since.

 

[Favor+]

Good info.....

 

[Jim Craig]

For all you riders that have tried the custom molded plugs or in ear monitors how do they compare to a traditional ear plug as far as comfort for long extended periods? I’ve always struggled to find something that I can withstand days on end without becoming painful or causing my hear canals to bleed after many days. The Hearos ultimate softness plugs along with Aquaphor have been the only ear plug that have fit the balance of comfort and sealing correctly. I’m wondering if a molded silicone ear plug with Aquaphor can be as comfortable?

Traditional ear plugs never worked well for me - they were just irritating to my ears or kept coming out. I've been riding with Big Ears custom molded earphones for several years now. They are hard plastic and have never irritated my ears. They use a similar design to what is used by folks that wear earphone all day every day for medical purposes. I tried a pair of custom molded silicone based plugs, made for use by musicians, but they always left my ears sore and raw. You have to make sure they the Big Ears fit correctly, send them back if they don't and they will send you a new pair (I had to do this once when they sent a pair that didn't go deep enough in my ear to seal correctly). Overall I've been very happy mine, I've had four pairs (one got run over my a car and broke, another fell to the pavement one too many times and I couldn't glue it back together, I have the pair I use, and a backup pair).

 

[kwthom]

For years, I knew the damage was happening as a result of noisy, ill-fitting helmets.

Several years ago, I went with a Shoei Neotec helmet, that helped. Trying to position earpieces in a quiet(er) helmet to be able to listen to music, intercom, et. al. made me get serious about in-ear devices.

MEE audio M6 PRO In Ear monitors work great for me, with the Comply foam eartips. They'll also do a good job in cutting out those airleaks that invariably happen because that helmet won't quite seal up around those eyeglass arms.

Sadly, it does take experimentation for you to get an ideal configuration, based on your personal needs & desires.

 

[Norman]

I've used moldex sparkplugs for years, and they're comfortable and quiet. I've been having some modest problems understanding the intercom, so I've been considering a custom molded earpiece, and in a pinch tried the Radians custom-molded kit. It's comfortable, and does a reasonable job of reducing road noise to a reasonable level - but the one thing I've noticed is that the volume increases significantly when I head-check.

Is this just what happens with molded plugs?

 

[Stephen!]

I've used moldex sparkplugs for years, and they're comfortable and quiet. I've been having some modest problems understanding the intercom, so I've been considering a custom molded earpiece, and in a pinch tried the Radians custom-molded kit. It's comfortable, and does a reasonable job of reducing road noise to a reasonable level - but the one thing I've noticed is that the volume increases significantly when I head-check.

Is this just what happens with molded plugs?

Not when they fit properly and your ear canal is not distorted. When was the last time you had an ear exam?

 

[Norman]

Not when they fit properly and your ear canal is not distorted. When was the last time you had an ear exam?

Well, that's the thing - my ear canal clearly does distort some when I head check. It's symmetric on the forward side.

 

[Firstpeke]

It has been a longstanding held misunderstanding by many motorcyclists that the better helmets protect your hearing...

Noise levels at 90dB(A) and well above are not uncommon at relatively moderate speeds of 60mph and well above that as speed increases.

Only by wearing good hearing protection can we hope to protect our hearing, but unfortunately many of us are of an age where it might be that when we started riding, ear plugs were not available or were useless, wearing them now will help to prevent potential further hearing loss.

If only a motorcycle helmet could be produced at an affordable price point that replicated the characteristics of a military style flying helmet!

FYI https://isvr.co.uk/projects/motorcycle-noise/

 

[Stephen!]

Well, that's the thing - my ear canal clearly does distort some when I head check. It's symmetric on the forward side.

They may not be fitting correctly. Do they fill the entire area inside your outer ear area thusly? (Picture from their web site)

 

[Brian O'Connor]

I have been using a set of earplugs made by a local audiologist. They are small, like a hearing aid, don't interfere with my helmet speakers, and have a filter, provided by the audiologist so road noise is filtered but voices and music are heard without having to turn up the volume so much that the purpose of the earplugs is defeated. I do use hearing aid lubricant which makes them easy to get in and prevents irritation during all-day wear. They never fall out when I pull on/off the helmet either.