Thanks maybe I'll try that the next time I wear them and see what happens and how they feel.
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Ear plug recommendations?
- Thread starter KLR Junkie
- Start date
You have to roll them very tight and insert them very quickly before they even start to expand a tiny bit otherwise you won't get proper depth. The first time you get them in right you'll actually wonder if you're about to lose the plug in your ear canal or hit your brain or something because it goes in so much further, but don't worry, as it swells you'll have a good surface that expands at the entry to the ear to pinch for removal.
Just leave it there at that depth and let it slowly expand and listen to the glorious silence build.
So far as comfort, I find that the softer foam pink plugs I posted above to be far more comfortable than the harder "Nib" style yellow plugs like these:
Those are actually good plugs (made by 3M typically) but they're not comfortable for long term use I find. I have a bunch of them and I use them in the garage when doing noisy things around home where I'm wearing them for 5-10 minutes a few times during a project, but I don't use them for riding.
Thanks for bringing those to my attention.
I have typically always used earplugs when riding. For a few months last summer I actually switched to a set of JBL earbuds connected to my intercom for both audio and noise deadening.
But it became evident during longer rides on windy days that they were just not cutting the mustard. One ride using my favourite pink earplugs again confirmed it...so I switched back to the speakers in my helmet and started using earplugs again.
But I do miss that "directly in my ear" audio clarity. Yes, even with the earplugs using the speakers in my helmet I can still hear audio (I listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and when my wife is riding with me we sometimes chat bike to bike) but it's a far cry from earbuds.
It looks like a set of those (albeit just the wired ones) may be the cats meow - the foam tips look like they'd offer a much better seal versus the rubberized ones the JBL's used.
Found em on Amazon for $110.
Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones with 3.5mm Cable, Remote and Mic, Clear: Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio
Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones with 3.5mm Cable, Remote and Mic, Clear: Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio
www.amazon.ca
I was going to post this but didn't get to it earlier.
I had a set of custom ear plugs made for me by Peter from BigEar.
They are made on the spot for you but take about an hour from start to finish.
I never rode with earplugs before but I tried the foamies for the first time this season.
I loved riding with earplugs but hated the foamies.
I just didn't like how inconsistent the fit would be. Sometimes they would seal properly and sometimes they would get loose while putting on the helmet.
I saw the BigEar booth at the motorcycle show and talked to the guys. One of them recommended the motorcycle model with the different filters in them but they would close to $300 so I didn't want to spend that.
After speaking with Peter, the local contact for them (Newmarket), I was convinced that the basic ones is all I need.
They cost me $80 and are good for 5 years or so.
I rode with them a few times and love them. The fit just right and filter out even more than the foamies. Takes me 3 seconds to put one in. I hated waiting for the foamies to expend in your ear for a good fit.
There are many different colors you can choose from but I chose bright yellow in case I drop it somewhere.
PM me, I can pass on the direct contact for the local guy that makes them.
www.bigearinc.com
I had a set of custom ear plugs made for me by Peter from BigEar.
They are made on the spot for you but take about an hour from start to finish.
I never rode with earplugs before but I tried the foamies for the first time this season.
I loved riding with earplugs but hated the foamies.
I just didn't like how inconsistent the fit would be. Sometimes they would seal properly and sometimes they would get loose while putting on the helmet.
I saw the BigEar booth at the motorcycle show and talked to the guys. One of them recommended the motorcycle model with the different filters in them but they would close to $300 so I didn't want to spend that.
After speaking with Peter, the local contact for them (Newmarket), I was convinced that the basic ones is all I need.
They cost me $80 and are good for 5 years or so.
I rode with them a few times and love them. The fit just right and filter out even more than the foamies. Takes me 3 seconds to put one in. I hated waiting for the foamies to expend in your ear for a good fit.
There are many different colors you can choose from but I chose bright yellow in case I drop it somewhere.
PM me, I can pass on the direct contact for the local guy that makes them.
Custom Motorcycle Earplugs
<strong>Custom Motorcycle Earplugs</strong> are the best way to prevent hearing damage while riding your motorcycle. The key to unlocking the freedom of your ride and increasing your comfort during and after your ride is a perfect set of custom motorcycle earplugs. Each year motorcycle...
www.bigearinc.com
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Was going to mention Peter, beat me to it.I was going to post this but didn't get to it earlier.
I had a set of custom ear plugs made for me by Peter from BigEar.
They are made on the spot for you but take about an hour from start to finish.
I never rode with earplugs before but I tried the foamies for the first time this season.
I loved riding with earplugs but hated the foamies.
I just didn't like how inconsistent the fit would be. Sometimes they would seal properly and sometimes they would get loose while putting on the helmet.
I saw the BigEar booth at the motorcycle show and talked to the guys. One of them recommended the motorcycle model with the different filters in them but they would close to $300 so I didn't want to spend that.
After speaking with Peter, the local contact for them (Newmarket), I was convinced that the basic ones is all I need.
They cost me under $100 and are good for 5 years or so.
I rode with them a few times and love them. The fit just right and filter out even more than the foamies. Takes me 3 seconds to put one in. I hated waiting for the foamies to expend in your ear for a good fit.
There are many different colors you can choose from but I chose bright yellow in case I drop it somewhere.
PM me, I can pass on the direct contact for the local guy that makes them.
View attachment 43452
Custom Motorcycle Earplugs
<strong>Custom Motorcycle Earplugs</strong> are the best way to prevent hearing damage while riding your motorcycle. The key to unlocking the freedom of your ride and increasing your comfort during and after your ride is a perfect set of custom motorcycle earplugs. Each year motorcycle...
I ordered these from Amazon before going with the BigEar.
I found that they seal would get loose when putting on the helmet. Even tried to cut them to make them smaller. No change.
I still have 1 unopened package of 6 pairs. If anyone wants them they are yours.
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A British riding friend turned me onto these a few years back. I ordered a bunch from Amazon in the UK a few years ago and swear by them. And yes, roll them and get them in good and snug.
20 Pairs of 3M EAR Soft FX Ear Plugs (3M ES-01-020): Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
20 Pairs of 3M EAR Soft FX Ear Plugs (3M ES-01-020): Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
You have to roll them very tight and insert them very quickly before they even start to expand a tiny bit otherwise you won't get proper depth. The first time you get them in right you'll actually wonder if you're about to lose the plug in your ear canal or hit your brain or something because it goes in so much further, but don't worry, as it swells you'll have a good surface that expands at the entry to the ear to pinch for removal.
Just leave it there at that depth and let it slowly expand and listen to the glorious silence build.
So far as comfort, I find that the softer foam pink plugs I posted above to be far more comfortable than the harder "Nib" style yellow plugs like these:
View attachment 43451
Those are actually good plugs (made by 3M typically) but they're not comfortable for long term use I find. I have a bunch of them and I use them in the garage when doing noisy things around home where I'm wearing them for 5-10 minutes a few times during a project, but I don't use them for riding.
I'm no doctor but I have read and heard that rolling the foamies really tight especially the longer may cause some ear damage.
When rolled, they are very thin and long and can come in contact with the ear drum while inserting. Not to mention the expansion.
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The 3m ones I have now with the handles (not great for helmet but good for people to understand how far in your supposed to go) ar P2000 NRR 29. I also have a few boxes of Tasco Soft seal NRR 33. I dont find the tascos as comfortable, but they're not bad and 4 dB is noticeably quieter.
I actually had to take a training course on proper hearing protection / earplug insertion because I was for a period of time for work I was going to a facility with extreme noise levels. If you didn't put them in right you WOULD damage your hearing in a very short period of time.
The reality is that with most foam earplugs it's impossible to get them too deep as your finger bottoms out at the entry to your canal as you insert them. Unless you're using a stick or something to shove them even further (before they expand) in just not going to happen.
The only exception would be the specialized (and mostly rare) "long" version of the above "nib" style earplugs. They looked exactly the same but were just..longer. You could certainly insert those too far fairly easily. That said, I just looked and I'm not sure they even sell them anymore. Has been a solid 10 years since I've seen them.
They expand widthwise not lengthwise. Even if you managed to touch your eardrum (which I never have and I push them deep) you didnt squish the foam in that direction so it wont expand and cause you issues.
For IEM's, I use shure 530's with foam tips. The current pair are just about dead (cable issues). Meh. I think riding with IEMs is a bad idea. Less noise reduction than plugs and substantially more detached from the world around you.
for reference -33 db is very quiet with good foam earplugs...likely too quiet for in helmet speakers...I'd loosen one out a bit when riding with my kid and using Scalas.
-26 db is about as good as it gets with earphones with top end foam tips ...keep the ear wax out of the sound tube.....there is a little tool available.
The Pioneer Rayz don't get to that level of suppression but the noise cancelling helps especially for listening to audio books ...definitely clearer speech.
If I'm doing distance on the slab sometimes I switch to the -33 plugs and just enjoy the time away from wind and road noise. It is far less tiring. ( lots of papers on how noise tires you out ).
The new iphone only takes Lightning cable so have to use the Pioneers.
Maybe will switch to the iPhone 5 and the Shures today to see how much better the noise suppression is.
Also trying a vario windscreen addition - the CBF definitely is noiser than the CB500x with the Madstad.
Just set up Shures on the iPhone 5 and definitely a better seal than the Rayz. Using Westone tips.
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Roadghost
Well-known member
I use Spark Plugs (by Moldex). I used to use the 3M, but they're a little wide and can get uncomfortable. Spark plugs have a better db reduction also.
200 Pairs Moldex 6604 Sparkplugs Disposable Ear Plug Uncorded NRR 33 : Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care
200 Pairs Moldex 6604 Sparkplugs Disposable Ear Plug Uncorded NRR 33 : Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care
www.amazon.ca
I plug them into my Scala and just bluetooth to my phone, so it's all good - anything with a regular headphone jack plugs into them.
mistersouthpaw
Well-known member
I also use ear peace, they are pretty good they stay in place but some times require putting your helmet on a few times to get them right
sburns
Well-known member
Good timing on this topic. I have been struggling with this issue lately. I have used the foam plugs in the past with good results. But recently I tried them out, and for some reason couldn't get them to work right. I rode with them and got some buffering in my ears with some pain. It was better to ride without. So no more disposable foams for me, looking for alternatives now. Or maybe a different helmet to block more out.
Good info posted will check them out.
Good info posted will check them out.
Foam earplugs vary dramatically in size and quality. If you tell me the Howard Leighs don't work I'd be shocked.
www.globalindustrial.ca
Howard Leight™MXM-1 MAXIMUM® Ear Plugs, Disposable, NRR 33, Uncorded, 200 Pairs/Box
Howard Leight™MXM-1 MAXIMUM® Ear Plugs, Disposable, NRR 33, Uncorded, 200 Pairs/Box. Ships in One Business Day. Buy it and Save at https://www.globalindustrial.ca
www.globalindustrial.ca
BigEar give you consistent and comfortable results every time
$80 ear plugs are cheaper than a new helmet
I bought these last year. I like that they have 3 different inserts so you can adjust the sound that gets through. Haven't used them yet this year as I keep forgetting them in my other jacket but I never had complaints about them last year that I recall.
EarPeace Motorcycle Ear Plugs – Reusable High Fidelity Moto Ear Plugs for Riding - Hearing Protection for Motorsports, Work & Airplane Noise Reduction (Standard, Red Case): Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care
EarPeace Motorcycle Ear Plugs – Reusable High Fidelity Moto Ear Plugs for Riding - Hearing Protection for Motorsports, Work & Airplane Noise Reduction (Standard, Red Case): Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care
www.amazon.ca
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