Hearing protection / ear plugs

[Totti]

Thought that it would be a good idea to have to topic for hearing protection.

 

I have always protected my hearing. I think I have used all the possible variations: the cheap foam-ones, music plugs, all different brands for motorcycling (Alpine, EarPeace, etc).

And haven't been fully satisfied with them.

Some of these don't fit very well, or they fit one ear perfectly and the other one terribly. Or they block too much of the sounds or the wrong frequencies. Or they don't block enough.

Or they fell out of my ear during the day. Or they got my ears sore.

 

Then I found these custom made ear plugs with changeable filter. I am aware that there are do-it-yourself kits for this kind of ear plugs.

But I didn't like the idea of pouring hot wax or silicone to my hear and not completely knowing what to do. So I went to the hearing doctor to get these. The doctor was also a musician, so I got a short lection of frequencies and how the noise affects people. I got a five year guarantee for manufacturing errors. These ear plugs should last up to eight years.

 

Been wearing these for a month now and couldn't be happier. They block the wind but I can still hear the traffic and stones hitting to the skid plate. And the best part is that I can hear normal conversations. So I don't have to take them off during coffee brakes.

 

The only question is that why the h**l I didn't buy these years ago?

 

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by Totti
typo

[gone2seed]

Totti,

They look good . I’m fortunate that the foam ones work for me and don’t cause discomfort. I usually sing going down the road and the better The hearing is blocked at all Frequencies the better I sound ,even to myself!

[TimmyTheHog]

I uses the hearing aid dBblocker ear plugs from work.

 

The myth of you can't hear wearing earplug is so false.

 

Your plugs look even more high tech than mine.

 

The only "downfall" that I find is now I can actually hear the ting ping tong of the rocks hitting my bike :P....pains me inside LOL...

[MGG]

At the moment I am using 20dB reduction earplugs and they do the job just fine, but having conversations is a bit difficult. I will have to enquire a bit about custom earplugs and what to look for before I go a see a specialist.

 

Here is a nice graph I found ... gives a good indication of duration and decibels (dB) impact ... 

So the safe limit is probably around 90 dB ... https://soundrider.com/archive/tips/earplugs_101-1.aspx

 

Another website suggests: "However, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss." ... The helmet does provide some protection but it's not perfect.

 

 

The actual wind noise level and frequency, air pressure, exhaust and motor all combine to create a complex dB level that does require special attention. So I suppose we do need some education on what frequencies need filtering....

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[tenerecanada]

45 minutes ago, TimmyTheHog said:

I uses the hearing aid dBblocker ear plugs from work.

 

The myth of you can't hear wearing earplug is so false.

 

Your plugs look even more high tech than mine.

 

The only "downfall" that I find is now I can actually hear the ting ping tong of the rocks hitting my bike :P....pains me inside LOL...

Yep, you can't beat custom silicone earplugs provided to you by work. These are an excellent product, I ended up ordering a second set because I was constantly taking them home.

[YukonPete]

What??

 

 

On longer rides I sometimes use EarPeace Motorcycle Ear Plugs (bought at Amazon.ca), but most often I just forget to bring them along.

[marktbike]

I use cheap silicone ones meant for swimming. They block all frequencies but sounds can still be heard, I don't feel in danger when wearing them and I've been doing so during last ten years or so. I've tried the foam ones and didn't like them. I've tried the ones specially designed for motorcycling and the aerodynamic noise was still too loud. I can't ride anymore without ear plugs, after 40 years of riding (I'm 52) my ears were starting to protest (loudly, so I could hear them!) 

[duibhceK]

I've used silicone plugs with replaceable filters in the past. They didn't work well for me. I have tiny ear canals so they were sticking out pretty far, occasionally hitting the inside of the helmet. Which resulted in the plugs transmitting all vibrations of the wind on the helmet directly into my ear. More noisy than without plugs.

 

Also used custom made plugs like the ones in the OP. These worked very well. But keep in mind that the shape of your ear and ear canal change over time, so the fit and noise dampening slowly degrade.

 

I now always use the cheap foam ones and they work very well. Not just for protecting my hearing, but they also help me stay fit and alert for longer. Constant wind and engine noise tends to wear you out much faster on long rides.

[Stevey3737]

I use the silicone fitted plugs that I use at work, they allow me to hear but also block the high decibels quite well, I also use them the I go shooting and they work great there too

[didier]

I used Pinlock plugs with filter and found they perform well. Probably not as efficient as professional ones but much better then foam. The noise is reduced but I keep the awareness of what is happening around.

[jonwelsh]

I use EarPeace...

 

[qInvention]

Hmm. This is one more subject to think about. At the moment I don't protect my ears otherwise than chosing quiet helmets.

 

But my hearing isn't good anymore as I didn't protect it either when playing my drumset... for years and years.

 

I should probably start wearing earplugs aswell, at least on longer rides.

 

Thanks for the ideas!

[williestreet]

4 hours ago, qInvention said:

Hmm. This is one more subject to think about. At the moment I don't protect my ears otherwise than chosing quiet helmets.

 

But my hearing isn't good anymore as I didn't protect it either when playing my drumset... for years and years.

 

I should probably start wearing earplugs aswell, at least on longer rides.

 

Thanks for the ideas!

Don't put it off any longer.  Get some foam plugs first and then of you want to try something more expensive start experimenting with different products.

 

I like most didn't wear anything when I was younger.  When I started club racing luckily someone pestered me to get some earplugs.  I had the same excuses as many, can't hear the bike, uncomfortable, etc, etc.  All of it is B** S***.   

I had some foam plugs and told myself I was going to wear them for 2 practice days no matter what.  On the 2nd day I forgot to put them in for the first session.  Started out on track realized my mistake and pulled directly back into the pit.  Could not believe the difference without them.  

Have worn plugs on every ride since, street or track, no matter how short or long.  

 

I wear 30db foam plugs most of the time.  I am lucky work provides DB blockers, so these also get some use.  If you have DB blockers you should know they offer db com dual com headsets that will plug into your earpiece and go to a 3.5mm stereo jack.  Plug directly into your phone or Cardo unit if you use one.

 

I don't use these much, because they can sometimes be a pain to get fitted correctly.  Usually only on long rides where I like to listen to podcasts.  

 

Still on the search for the perfect solution, but inexpensive foam plugs are always on hand and I never go without something.  

 

[whisperquiet]

I use Howard Leight foam earplugs in my right ear.

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and Mack’s Aqua Block silicone swim ear plugs in my left ear because my ear canals are slightly different.

This combo works good for me and much better than the two custom sets I had made years ago.

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[Boondocker]

I use beeswax earplugs.

Mighty Plugs

 

Tried all kinds of foam, silicon, and even custom but these work best for me. I have small ear canals. One of these plugs halved covers both ears. If keep my fingers clean, they're good for many uses. If I drop them in the dirt, they're done.

 

Hearing loss is insidious. Do something to protect it!

 

[Hobes]

My go to has been Bilsom 303 over 15 years now. They come in large and small. I want my plugs to attenuate noise as much as possible, and 303s do it perfectly. 32dB reduction. Also comfortable and cheap.  

 

I also have Etymotic research in-ear monitors that I can use for listening music while driving. They work perfectly on noise reduction but irritate my ears after few hours. The silicone ear pieces are not very soft. Etymotic used to have nicer softer earpieces, but the new ones with textured surface are not very good.  I've been planning to get molded earpieces for those, so that I could use them all day long. 

[Goliat]

I bought this week loop earplug