| Author | Message | ||
     Ironweed |
Thanks to anyone who can help me out with information about custom made/molded type ear plugs. I've used the inexpensive foam type plugs and generally they work well. I am curious, however, if custom made items do a better job of softening the noise. Any advice on how to go about getting a pair? Thanks. | ||
| Jackbequick |
If you have a good audiologist or gun shows in your area, you can probably get a set of custom fitted molded ear plugs. Those are generally as effective as you can get. They are available in a range of types and sound deadening ability and you don't want too much but you do want enough. If you tell them you situation (inside a helmet, low frequency engine noises, higher frequency wind noise, need to hear horns and sirens, etc.) they should be able get you the most practical solution. But you do have to watch out for people that just want to sell stuff sometimes. The ->>> silicone industrial plugs with are much better than the foam type and provide 20-30 dB of attentuation. If you are young and/or have good hearing, you probably want about that much attentuation. Pick up a pair of the better silicone ones from Lowes or Home Depot and if they seem to be close to right, that will help the audiologist with getting them right. Then the custom fitted ones will work at least as well or better and be much more comfortable. Or if you are, like me, an old geezer paying the price for your past, you can press the mute buttons your custom fitted, in the ear, hearing aids, put your helmet on, and those will serve as good ear plugs. Jack | ||
| Ftd |
Myself and two of my buds got the custom made molded ones at Myrtle Beach Bike Week last year. They are great. Fit and work well. Cost $45 and worth it. I now wear them when mowing the yard and when using a leaf blower to dry my bikes after washing too. Frank | ||
| Slaughter |
I had custom-made plugs made and they were never comfortable for me and are now in the trash. Had them done when at Laguna Seca at the vendor's booth. I've gone back to foam or the gel-type. | ||
| Xring |
I had some custom made that I use for everything (shooting, chainsaw, lawnmowing, etc) EXCEPT for motorcycle riding. My helmet deforms my ear canal enough that the custom plugs don't seal (so says my audiologist). I tried several different foam plugs until I found some that are easy to install and soft enough that they are comfortable for extended periods even with my helmet on. By the way, I've found that wearing earplugs on trips is one of the best ways to stay comfortable. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Cowboy |
I worked with oil well blow outs for years. For sound blockage I have never found any thing to beat childrens silly putty.But it is hard to use. he he | ||
| Outrider |
Jack said it all quite well. I have had custom molded plugs for over 15 years now and love them. Then I had to go this route as one ear canal is too large to put the foam ones in. Eww...Sombody is going to bust me on that one. LOL As the audiologist used the standard volume of stuff in both ears, one worked well and the other didn't. The bad one didn't go far enough into the ear to block the noise. I went back a week later and she made me another set for free. The only annoyance I have ever had with them is with the stock saddle on my X1. The padding is thin, my butts boney and the harmonics resulted in a humming noise passed through the skeleton and into my ears. Switched saddles and all is well. In the event you want to stay with the foam plugs and equivalent, contact Henrik as he did an in depth study of all the alternatives a year or two ago. Was really a great source of info. Enjoy!!! (Message edited by outrider on June 04, 2006) | ||
| Ironweed |
Thanks to all for your input. I, too, am an old geezer "paying the price for my past"-too much riding as a younger man without worrying about it. I've not tried the silicone type but will give them a shot. Or I may go the audiologist route. My hearing still checks OK its just the ringing I have to deal with and I really don't want the situation to get worse. | ||
| Cowboy |
Hey Iron weed check my profile I realy am a old guizzer. but the silly putty realy works I still have pretty good hearing and the sound of a oil well blowing out of control is like having your head in the exhaust of a jet engine, | ||
| Jackbequick |
I never got around to trying Silly Putty, I was sort of leery of anything that could pull apart and maybe be hard to remove. I have long deep ear canals (or so my audiologist tells me) and that helps me on retention of my hearing aids. With some ears they can be bumped and dislodged fairly easily. Mine have a street value that is up in the Thousands of Dollars range and I am pretty careful with them. I take some pains to make sure I don't snag them and pull them out when I take my helmet off. When I was a rangemaster for small arms qualifications in the service I used to use .45 ACP cartridges for ear plugs. They were just the right size, stayed in good, and took all the bite out of a noisy firing line. Jack | ||
| Cowboy |
Thats KOOL | ||
| Henrik |
My personal experience mirrors Xring/Bill's to a T. I had 2 sets of ear plugs custom made. A pair of Challenger earphones (w. speakers built in) http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/chmisearph.htm as well as a pair of custom plugs with attenuation made to lower all frequencies equally for hearing protection without distorting the sound. I had an audiologist make the molds and on the first try, the plugs came out too short and wouldn't seal. Second try was good. I even wore my helmet when the molds were made - after the audiologist put the stuff in my ears that is  I can't use either pair for riding. As Bill said, the wind pressure on my helmet distorts my outer ear canal, which is flexible, just enough to break the seal. In addition, the material the Challengers were made from seems just a tad to rigid for long term comfort. It's been years, so that may have changed. If you *do* go with custom molded earphones or plugs with a cord, make sure the cord exits the plug between the tragus and the ear lobe. Mine had the cord exiting pressing on the bottom edge of my tragus = very painful in short order. http://www.ciprodex.com/consumer/ear_anatomy.asp Instead I use foam earplugs; corded Howard Leight Max. As Bill (Outrider) mentioned I looked at a bunch of options a year or two ago. I basically bought a sample pack of foam plugs from here: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/unfoamtrialp.html I went for the pack of the softest plugs since I suspect I have kinda narrow ear canals. My trials confirmed that the Max plugs are a good fit for me. I use corded since they're easier to keep track of. I'll use a pair for a day and then replace. I also got a trial pack of the Silent Ear re-useable plugs: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/silnatrubear.html Unfortunately, while the size medium fits, they won't stay in my ears. The trial pack is free to anyone who'd like to try'em. I tried each pair once for a few minutes each and washed them after  I used the moldeable silicone plugs on the bike for years, but I get a better, more permanent seal with the foamies. Now I only use the silicone for sleeping 'cause they really are more comfortable for long time use. Of course, no ear plugs are going to work well if you don't get them inserted properly ... Henrik | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
+1 to what Xring said. When I had mine made I had them molded low profile (deeper into the ear) so they would not come in contact with any helmet material, well it worked... Except my ear canal changed shape. Back to the cheepy foam plugs for bike use. | ||
| Light_keeper |
The audiologist at Togus handed me a set and told me to start using those and stop with the foam. Also told me that If I want them the hearing aids are indicated but if I wont use them all the time I should wait and take care to use the plugs. He said that within 5 years I would need the hearing aids. Most gone in my left ear and 45% gone in the right. constant hiss all the time in left and getting louder in right.  | ||
| Jackbequick |
What did those look like Sandy? Were they foam or the silicone multiple flange type? I have a young lady (Keri) for my audiologist up there at Togus and she seems to be doing a great job for me. And her husband is a Navy guy up at Brunswick so she has good taste in guys. :> I was not hearing any "extra" noises other than an occasional ringing, just not hearing enough. My in-the-ear hearing aids are off being "tweaked" for a better fit and I really miss them. Do you know, if you go to them now can they "tune" them help with hearing and also the hissing? It might be worth trying them. Mine worked out so good I hate to see anyone miss a chance for an improvement. With mine muted and a helmet on it is just like wearing very good ear plugs. I just touch them with a finger tip to mute and unmute them. But I do have to take some care not to dislodge one in taking my helmet off. Jack | ||
| Light_keeper |
Jack orange silicone multiple flange with a little carry case. We will talk about it some time. I do have the option of getting them any time. Hey the rain has stopped and the fog is burning off. Finally a day for the bike. Sandy | ||
| Iamike |
I just bought a pair of noise cancelling earphones at Wal-Mart. They are Phillips brand for $27. I have seen Kenwoods for $50 and Sonys for $100 but thought that I'd try these first. So far I am real happy with them. I can set the volume at a normal level and go riding and still be able to hear the music cleanly with none of the normal wind noise.. I need to play around a little more to see if they work with no music. If so you wouldn't need earplugs. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I have the Koss brand earphones/plugs that I wear, they were a great purchase on eBay for $8 | ||
| Josh_ |
On long trips I have a set of Shure E2cs and Etymotic headphones that I switch between. The Etymotics are better but both get uncomfortable after too many hours thus I switch back and forth. For daily use I use Hearo's (beige Super and blue Extreme). Buy as many different ones you can find (Aerostich uses to have two assortments available, disposable and reusable) and try 'em all until you find a set you like. | ||
| Rr_eater |
http://www.cep-usa.com/id39.htm Stereo headphones near the bottom. Have them, love them, QUIET riding, minimal volume required by MP3 player allows me to still hear horns and sirens. Good for about 25-29 db reduction. These fit totally in the ear, and pulling on a very snug fitting x-11 Shoei has never even tugged on them, much lesss dislodged them. Cost about 70 bucks 2 years ago, call for pricing. Just another option for you all. Bruce | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I just got a trial pack from here. Very quick service. http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/unfoamtrialp.html It seemed like too good of deal not to try. A large ziplock bag stuffed full of ear plugs. It is going to take me for ever to try them all.  | ||
| Loki |
If you like the HOWARD LEIGHT stuff(I use the uncorded MAX series), stop in a local contractor supply store and buy in bulk. I have a dispenser box hanging on the wall next to the bikes. | ||
| Xring |
Me too for the Howard Leight plugs. I bought a big box of the pre-shaped Max plugs. They are easy to insert and comfy. I keep several packs in my truck, on the tractors, in my tank bag, and in the toolbox. Bill |
