[Hot Air]

Forgive me if there is already a thread on this. I did search but found nothing specific.

After my first 500km on the 899 I definitely need to find some good earplugs to save my ears. She's a beautiful bike with a fantastic sound but my job depends on my hearing being pretty good. I have to find something better than my squashy foam ones. My ears are ringing after a 1h ride this afternoon.

What are the best earplugs?

Thanks

 

[IdZer0]

Custom ones

 

[rosscraw]

Custom ones

I'll second that...


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[rainbow-walker]

I'll third it. I got some custom earplugs made by visiting a show about 9 years ago, and they have to rate as one of my best purchases.

Cost more obviously, but what price hearing.

Wouldnt use anything else now, brilliant fit, easy to clean, cant fault them.

RBW.

 

[Alex-B]

Auritech earplugs.

 

[Ugrin]

Forgive me if there is already a thread on this. I did search but found nothing specific.

After my first 500km on the 899 I definitely need to find some good earplugs to save my ears. She's a beautiful bike with a fantastic sound but my job depends on my hearing being pretty good. I have to find something better than my squashy foam ones. My ears are ringing after a 1h ride this afternoon.

What are the best earplugs?

Thanks

Check this 2 links out

Hearing Advice For Motorcyclists | Allearplugs.com

Alpine Motosafe | Allearplugs.com

 

[northerner]

Woah woah woah. You're clearly not using your 'squishy foam earplugs' right. Squish, roll, lick and stick. Get 'em right down your ear canal. If you're coming back from a ride with ringing ears you're doing it wrong.

 

[Doctor 650]

Woah woah woah. You're clearly not using your 'squishy foam earplugs' right. Squish, roll, lick and stick. Get 'em right down your ear canal. If you're coming back from a ride with ringing ears you're doing it wrong.

Yep, and to help even more, use your right hand over your head and pull the left ear up, this straightens the canal and they go right in, makes a big difference..

 

[Doctor 650]

and vicky versa....

 

[Hot Air]

Woah woah woah. You're clearly not using your 'squishy foam earplugs' right. Squish, roll, lick and stick. Get 'em right down your ear canal. If you're coming back from a ride with ringing ears you're doing it wrong.

I think you're right northerner. Sometimes they work better than others (obviously depending how well I jam them in). Today I had them squashed right in and they expanded nicely. They worked the best they ever have so far but my ears are still ringing now after a good hour or so riding. They are clearly not good enough.

Thanks for the links Ugrin. I like the look of the Alpine ones since they claim to still allow you to hear road noise that we "need to hear". I found this link last night and ordered some of these: SilentEar Reusable Ear Plugs, Orange body w/Clear Flange (NRR 32) - Consumer Packaged Reusable Ear Plugs

I will get some of the Alpine ones as well, then I can use whichever ones I find are best for me. When I get them, which could be a while since they are baing posted to me in the Middle East, I'll report back what they are like.

Cheers!

 

[IdZer0]

Squishy ones don't work for everyone, it depends on the from of your ear canal. Also as you already noticed sometimes they work better sometimes not so good. Custom ones will every time give the same level of protection.

And watch out with the ringing, mine ring permanently now (because I didn't wear earplugs right from the start).

 

[John O'Meara]

I purchased the custom ones from the bike show at nec last year. I didn't bother wearing them at first. I went on a 200 mile rideout and my ears were ringing. Last time out I popped them in and done 130 miles and they were great. Best bit of kit.

 

[mcouper99]

Etymotic Research ETY-Plugs - ~$13, and comes with a nice carrying case you can attach to your key ring(s).

 

[boxerboy2]

Interesting topic - here is the best ones I have found so far with a dB reduction of 27 and they are only about $5 for a pair. Available at most Walgreens.

 

[smcf]

I'm no doctor and certainly no ear doctor so my opinion is worth nothing but obviously it goes without saying, "be careful with whatever you're intent on jamming down your ear canals"!!!!

A few years ago I got a massive ear infection that I think was caused by not making sure my in-ear headphone plugs were clean enough before jamming them down my ear canals!!!

Also a few years back a friend, who simply can't sleep without earplugs in (custom ones) got a huge infection. Just be careful. Hygiene seems key.

Btw, I've tried riding a couple of times (because I've already got some hearing loss and don't really want to make it worse) with the ordinary sponge plugs in and didn't like the feeling. I found my coordination was off for shifting and downshifting. Have others encountered the same thing and just got used to it?

 

[itzboo]

I use surefire ep4 sonic defenders plus

 

[sinjin]

I use surefire ep4 sonic defenders plus

I took a look at these and the seem to have a lot going on outside the ear. Do you find that they interfere with put on or taking off your helmet?

 

[sinjin]

I'm no doctor and certainly no ear doctor so my opinion is worth nothing but obviously it goes without saying, "be careful with whatever you're intent on jamming down your ear canals"!!!!

A few years ago I got a massive ear infection that I think was caused by not making sure my in-ear headphone plugs were clean enough before jamming them down my ear canals!!!

Also a few years back a friend, who simply can't sleep without earplugs in (custom ones) got a huge infection. Just be careful. Hygiene seems key.

Btw, I've tried riding a couple of times (because I've already got some hearing loss and don't really want to make it worse) with the ordinary sponge plugs in and didn't like the feeling. I found my coordination was off for shifting and downshifting. Have others encountered the same thing and just got used to it?

But do you play one on TV?

Perhaps soaking them in Hydrogen Peroxide prior to and in between use would help reduce the chances of introducing an infection?

I do find wearing plugs somewhat distracting, but thankfully not enough to impact my coordination. Considering the proximity to the inner ear, I understand how that could be a problem, however.

I routinely wear Etymotic Research ear phones while working out, so perhaps it is a matter of being used to something jammed into the ear canal. I was considering a pair of their active plugs, but they are upwards of $400. At least they can be fitted by an audiologist. Depending on the feedback on the Surefire brand, I might try that route first.

I am fortunate to still have excellent hearing despite years of frequent abuse and I hope to preserve it as long as possible. I experience ringing after long rides despite using the plugs, so I can't imagine not using any at all for any significant length of time.

 

[Silverhawk]

Interesting topic - here is the best ones I have found so far with a dB reduction of 27 and they are only about $5 for a pair. Available at most Walgreens.

I use these ones for many years now too. Before, I tried out a lot of others, but I find them very comfy and they don't hurt even after hours of riding. Best of all, I get them for free from work. I always cut off the cord and leave a short bit of it sticking out of the earplug and seal off the end with a lighter. So I can pull them out quite easily.

 

[itzboo]

I took a look at these and the seem to have a lot going on outside the ear. Do you find that they interfere with put on or taking off your helmet?

hey i did at first till i learned to make sure to stick it in all the way first and then twist it forward ( right ear would twist clockwise left ear would twist counter clockwise ) so it locks into one of the outside ear crevices. it i did that it stayed put very well. also watching my placement of the small plug so when i put on the helmet it doesnt get caught. hope that helps

i liked these ear pro cause i can control if i wanted to block out all sound or just sound thats higher then 85 decibel.