Hearing protection - ear plugs - some thoughts, pics and info

[sportsguy]

So I recently began riding two up with my wife. This means I've stopped listening to my ipod for the time being and thus, am not wearing the earbud head phones.

This lead me to scour the house for my foam ear plugs a couple weeks ago. My first ride I just went back to my soft silicon earplugs. I did find, however, that while they do a good job on reducing noise, they also block airflow through my ears, making me feel like I constantly needed to pop my ears. I think this feeling was worsened by our chosen route up several thousand feet into the mountains.

The following weekend I found my foam earplugs. Much more comfortable, but I started wondering about better protection. Another rider had custom made inserts with speakers, and while I do eventually want a set myself, in the meantime, what to do...?

Well, you hit the gun store and Rite Aid, that's what you do...

When you do this, here's the collection of what you might come home with:

Howard Leight 25 db reusable foam plugs

Howard Leight 26 db reusable foam plugs - note the difference in shape

Howard Leight 27 db reusable silicon plugs

The old standby's... good for a surprising 33 db...

From Rite Aid, we have the following...

"One time" foam plugs - 33 db attenuation - nice!

These units are apparently softer foam than the ones above, and hit in at 32 db noise reduction

Now, these I am looking forward to trying. Self fitted "custom" earplugs. You mix the colored "putty's" together, insert into your ear and leave it to harden for 10 minutes. They include a labeled bag to keep your final product in, each custom to YOUR left and right ears. The box pegs noise attenuation at 29 db, though I'd have thought it would have been more given the customization involved... I also wonder if there is a way to use these and incorporate some ear bud speakers... hmmm...

What I'm hoping to do is, over the next month or two, ride using all the various ear plugs and report back on anything noticeable about them.

 

[WBill]

What everybody needs to remember is that high pressure electronic sound delivered to your middle ears via ear buds can damage your inner ear just the same as wind noise does without ear plugs. And, just as with strong perfume scent, one can "get used" to it, and gradually turn up the amplitude to dangerous levels. Then, after a short while, one will always be "used to it."

As for me, I plug up with disposable 32 dB'ers and just listen to the voices inside my head...WBill

 

[wfooshee]

For me the best all-day earplugs are the kind like in your first picture. I get 'em from the power tools counter at Sears.

Foam plugs that you squish and insert give me sores in my ears. Can't use 'em. I've also tried the kind like your third picture, which I found at Wally World sporting goods, and they were horrible. Hurt my ears after just a few minutes.

The ones with the big cup-shaped ribs are the best for me. I can wear them all day, and I sleep with them if my wife gets a snoring fit.

 

[WBill]

For me the best all-day earplugs are the kind like in your first picture. I get 'em from the power tools counter at Sears.
Foam plugs that you squish and insert give me sores in my ears. Can't use 'em. I've also tried the kind like your third picture, which I found at Wally World sporting goods, and they were horrible. Hurt my ears after just a few minutes.

The ones with the big cup-shaped ribs are the best for me. I can wear them all day, and I sleep with them if my wife gets a snoring fit.

Just FYI: Don't put any earplugs in your ear canals if you have soapy water, as you might have after a shower, in the canals. It creates an alkaline pH rather than a more desirable acidic one, in the canal, and supports inflammation. No matter what kinds of plugs you choose, keep soap out of your ears and let then dry before inserting plugs. If you already have "Swimmers' Ears", a 50/50 vinegar/water solution seems to help. WBill

 

[FJRBluesman]

I really like these. They are very comfortable. I understand about your ears wanting pop, but I can't recall going thru that, maybe I'm just real used to it. My ear plugs are like my helmet, I never go without them... unless I'm listening to my tunes then I use the E6's, although they don't block the noise as well as my plugs.

E-A-R® UltraFit® Ear Plugs with Cord

 

[FJRless]

Seems like I've tried everything there is to try, including custom made rubber which don't work at all. I've had the best luck with the foam twist ups (they're all comparable but number 4 in your line-up works best) and I find I can reuse them numerous times. I do carry an extra pair in case they're removed and plugs are needed within an hour or so later. They need time to dry out before another use. I also wet them with a very diluted soapy solution just prior to installing them. They seat in nicely that way and I've found getting them in dry is not the same in their effectiveness.

 

[FJRay]

I use the 34 db orange ones. I buy them by the box at the industrial supply house so they cost about .20 cents a pair. Wear them whenever I am on the bike, in the shop or operating equipment and while around some people.

 

[GreyGoose]

I had a set of custom plugs made by an audiologist. cost me 90 bucks.They last a few years and are a perfect fit with maximum noise reduction. i can wear them all day and use them anytime i'm around loud noise (lawnmower, trimmer, wife, etc). If your planning on spending alot of time with your plugs, i found it worth the investment. If using plugs happen "on occasion", you'll have to play around with all the different varieties to see whats the most confortable. I went through this process before stepping up the plate with the customs and it'll be hard for me to ever return to "the cheaper alternatives".

GreyGoose

 

[Mackeroni]

I've been wondering if my ear canals are smaller than normal. I can wear over-the-counter disposables for only a couple hours before my ears really start to hurt. Then I found E-A-R-Soft Yellow Neons. These probably do not provide 32 db protection, but they are infinitely more comfortable... and cheap! I bought 100 pairs on eBay for less than $14... less than $0.14 each.

 

[wfooshee]

I really like these. They are very comfortable. I understand about your ears wanting pop, but I can't recall going thru that, maybe I'm just real used to it. My ear plugs are like my helmet, I never go without them... unless I'm listening to my tunes then I use the E6's, although they don't block the noise as well as my plugs.

Those are exactly the same ones I get at Sears in the power tools hearing protection area. Love 'em!

 

[sportsguy]

OK, so we went out today for about 3 hours today.

I took a pair of these guys to see what they'd be like. Tough to judge a book by it's cover here, because they are simple foam disposables. BUT, they are flagged as 33 db units. I can honestly say I noticed the difference. Hands down they beat my normal orange disposables for quieting noise.

I found them a tad difficult to get into my ears. When compressed they return to their normal state much quicker than my normal orange disposables, so your aim had better be true or you'll end up not getting them seated just right. Other than that, they were super comfortable and still allowed enough high frequency sound through for me to be aware of what was happening around me. They did a great job quieting the dragster we rode by at a local car show where we stopped for lunch, too - man, that thing sounded great!

I can hands down say these will be kept around as my disposable of choice. No idea if they were attenuating at 33db, but I can say they are the quietest disposables I've ever ridden with.

 

[Fred W]

I've been down this road before too, but because my manly ear holes are gigunda, the only ones that have worked for me are the Howard Leight 33dB Max models that you identified as your "old standby". The main problem with any of the semi-firm ones you show is that to hit the point on the taper that will seal against my ear canal requires them to be inserted too far and I get lots of discomfort after minimal time.

In fact, even with the Max's I need to trim off some of the tip so they don't bottom out in my ears. Then I can insert them so the outer flange does the sealing I need.

I tried a pair of the "make your own" customs with the two part silicone putty mix. They came out OK, but they do not seal off the ear canal like the expanding foam ones do and you don't get 33dBa. This is the one big reason I am hesitant to getting any professionally made as they are big $$ and may not be even as good as the foam ones.

My point in this post is that, like many other things we discuss here, earplug preferences are a very personal and subjective situation. What works great for someone else may be unsatisfactory for you. You just have to try as many as you can and reach your own conclusions

 

[sportsguy]

My point in this post is that, like many other things we discuss here, earplug preferences are a very personal and subjective situation. What works great for someone else may be unsatisfactory for you. You just have to try as many as you can and reach your own conclusions

Bingo! I'm testing and trying and draggin' everyone along for my ride. Someone may benefit, but your point is bang on target.

 

[Burnspot]

I use the 34 db orange ones. I buy them by the box at the industrial supply house so they cost about .20 cents a pair. Wear them whenever I am on the bike, in the shop or operating equipment and while around some people.

Ditto here except the box I got has multiple colors...so I can be fashionable...heh. I've always found the soft foamies to be comfortable and effective; I can definitely tell the difference between riding a few hours without and a few hours with...always feel better at the end of the day if I ride with them in. I don't use any tunes...though I probably should reconsider based on some of the conversations I've had with myself while tooling down the road, lol.

 

[650cent]

I got these https://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/westoneum1.html from here: https://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/motorcyclegear1.html . Lots of other choices though. They also have some ear plug lube on that site somewhere that help a lot with sore ear canal.

Bill

 

[FJRBluesman]

I really like these. They are very comfortable. I understand about your ears wanting pop, but I can't recall going thru that, maybe I'm just real used to it. My ear plugs are like my helmet, I never go without them... unless I'm listening to my tunes then I use the E6's, although they don't block the noise as well as my plugs.

Those are exactly the same ones I get at Sears in the power tools hearing protection area. Love 'em!

I buy mine on ebay, I try to find them for about $1 each. Usually that's only in bulk buys of qty 100.
The foam plugs are a PITA, they fall, get lost, and they hurt my ears due to the pressure they exert. I like the cords so they don't get away from you.

The custom plugs I had made for $100 were crap for me at least, they didn't do anything, they wouldn't seal well in my ears, maybe my ear shape was not conducive for them, they are junk for me now.

I believe E-A-R® UltraFit® Ear Plugs are 25db or 27db. They don't get much higher, and the comfort is excellent IMO.

Maybe we should have a bunch of us go in on a bulk buy and split it 10 ways or sell them at cost to others.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[wfooshee]

I buy mine on ebay, I try to find them for about $1 each. Usually that's only in bulk buys of qty 100.

I have no need of bulk purchasing. Keep 'em clean and these last for MONTHS.I usually break the cord before I damage the actual plugs.

 

[BwanaDik]

For me the best all-day earplugs are the kind like in your first picture. I get 'em from the power tools counter at Sears.
Foam plugs that you squish and insert give me sores in my ears. Can't use 'em. I've also tried the kind like your third picture, which I found at Wally World sporting goods, and they were horrible. Hurt my ears after just a few minutes.

The ones with the big cup-shaped ribs are the best for me. I can wear them all day, and I sleep with them if my wife gets a snoring fit.

Just FYI: Don't put any earplugs in your ear canals if you have soapy water, as you might have after a shower, in the canals. It creates an alkaline pH rather than a more desirable acidic one, in the canal, and supports inflammation. No matter what kinds of plugs you choose, keep soap out of your ears and let then dry before inserting plugs. If you already have "Swimmers' Ears", a 50/50 vinegar/water solution seems to help. WBill

Is spit acidic or alkaline?

 

[FJRBluesman]

...I have no need of bulk purchasing. Keep 'em clean and these last for MONTHS.I usually break the cord before I damage the actual plugs.

:dribble: Months.... Yuk.
Mine start getting grimey, I trade mine off about once a month or so, depending on yuk factor and the plugs start to get harder and don't fit as well. I'm split between yukkies and cords breaking for renewal. Either way, they last a bout a month or so for me I use them almost daily.

Last lot I bought was about 6 of them for about $2 and change each. If I could find them cheaper I'd switch them out sooner.