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[tunnie]

Ear plug recommendations 

Now I'm using the bike on my daily commute, I'm looking for some better ones. I normally use the yellow disposable foam ones, they are ok, but I find they often shift when putting helmet on. Last a day or two tops, thinking of some better ones, once this bag runs out.

When I went shooting I had some 3M ones, much smaller and felt better, but can't find same ones I was supplied with.

I'm also considering investing in some non-disposable ones like this: http://www.ultimateear.com/

A professional mould is taken to create them, quite expensive, but could be worth it? 

I have tried the DIY ones you mix together to form your own mould, but they did not work very well.

Thoughts? 

[tunnie]

Might try these:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ear-plugs/5167237/

or these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pairs-Howard-Leight-Laser-Plugs/dp/B00A25JLN0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[05omegav6]

Disposable ones are single use and, er, disposable... using them more than once is leaving you open to ear infections etc

[tunnie]

Disposable ones are single use and, er, disposable... using them more than once is leaving you open to ear infections etc

Err yeah I know that   

Hence asking for reviews of mould ones

[tunnie]

Disposable ones are single use and, er, disposable... using them more than once is leaving you open to ear infections etc

Or just wash them 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/3m-ear-classic-foam-disposable-ear-plugs-5-pairs/40332#

[chrisgixer]

Disposable ones are single use and, er, disposable... using them more than once is leaving you open to ear infections etc

Why are non disposable ones less likely ? Same ear I suppose. But other than that...




I hate the bloody things personally. Doesn't matter what type, from head phones to in ear plugs and buds they make the ear sweaty and itchy eventually. Head phones less so obviously but they all irritate in the end, and with a helmet on you can't adjust them without stopping, gloves off, helmet off , dick about

Unless your on the motorway for more than 10mins I would not bother personally. I good fitting helmet that plugs that channel between the neck and jaw leading up the the ear is much more effective in limiting noise ime, when taking into account convenience and fafing about putting reusable ear plug in your ear then finding the little clean box to store them in. Pita.


However if your spending long periods at motorway speeds then they are a must really. Although they restrict hearing engine rpm which I find awkward balancing blipped downshifts to road speed, clutch bite point, etc if there's other noisy road users about.

I guess the ideal design would be noise cancelling above a certain dB. But no idea if such a thing exists. Bose have only just come out with noise cancelling music in ear buds so I doubt it, and would be mega bucks anyway. Plus there's still a sizeable lump outside the ear that probably wouldn't work with a helmet on.

I did consider the in ear moulded ones but they would have to have speakers in them for music as well to get full use and justify costs and all eventualities for intercoms and sat navs etc.   

[omega3000]

Used them once didnt like them , i think its better to hear everything around you including the bike ... for work we use to use those foam things on a plastic cord , decent sound reduction but irritating for more than a few hours 

[tunnie]

I commute up the M3 to Brentford, so fair bit of motorway really.

I have used disposable ones for up to 3 days when touring without an issue, they just loose their 'spring' and no longer plug a gap. The ones I have, do give fair amount of engine noise I'm generally happy with them up to 60mph. I don't really buy the ear infections, a mate who has hearing aids uses his day in day out 365 days a year. Maybe gets new set every few years, never has a problem.

Current ones give too much wind noise, I've been considering a new lid. I like these: http://www.shark-helmets.com/product.php?sous_gamme=Vision-R%20series2&gamme=SHARK%20Discovery%20Division&code_gamme=DISCO&code_sous_gamme=VIS

Tinted flip down, as conditions do change, wider viewing angle and chin curtain along with better sound proofing. I have a Shoei at the moment, which is very comfy 

But each plugs are a lot cheaper  - Switched to a summer screen on the GS which is great, less buffeting, just want to bring wind noise down a bit at 60-80mph cruise speeds.

3M ones I linked to above, look identical too ones I used when shooting, will give those a try.

[omega3000]

I always found the Shark helmets give best wind reduction noise , never tried the £4-500 top make ones like Arai so wouldnt know ..just went for gold star rated

i mean who would pay this    Arai RX-7 RC

[tunnie]

I've heard good things about the Shark ones, very quiet lids in general. I'm also keen on flip down tinted bit, as each way is directly into the sun on my commute. Often it's cloudy/low light but before long sun is blasting out.

Makes choosing clear or tinted visor a pain 

[aaronjb]

I've used "musicians" ear plugs like these in open top cars: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Musicians-Ear-Plugs-Clear-EAR-3M-Earplugs-Music-Earplugs-1-Pair-/331036124665

Work really well and attenuate the worst of the noise nicely while still letting you hear sirens etc.


For moulded ones, what about: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROGUARD-HEARING-EAR-PROTECTION-MOULD-YOUR-OWN-CUSTOM-EAR-PLUGS-DRUMMER-DJ-BEIGE-/111372499268?pt=UK_BOI_ProtectiveGear_RL&hash=item19ee517944 ? Not tried them myself.

[tunnie]

Tried the DIY mould ones, no good really.

Tempted by those Musicians ones though, worth a pop at that price 

[chrisgixer]

What you mean to say is, your head gives a lot of wind noise in a particular helmet. In that if your head fitted the particular helmet better it would not be so noisy.

Take Arai and Shoei. Top end brands very little difference in noise but most people either have a Shoei shaped head or an Arai shaped head.
   If I put an Arai on they are horrendously loud for me, because they are wider around the neck/opening, therefor dint fit snuggle under the ears. So crank up the speeds and you effectively have a vacuum under the helmet as the passing air tries to suck your brains through your ear holes. Its agony.

However if I put a Shoei on, it fits my head, its tight under the ears, and I feel I don't need ear plugs at all. Although at higher speeds that's not the case of course.
 

[tunnie]

Noticed newer lids have a chin curtin, as a test the other day, I put my hand underneath the lid where my chin is. Did cut down noise considerably, also did put my hand under left side or right side, it did reduce noise.

Had lid since 2009, perhaps time upgraded. Will have to find a shop with that Shark one.

[chrisgixer]

I find if you look at the lid opening the narrower the gap the better. If it takes your ears off when putting it on is better..... type of thing.  (||)