My Favorite Ear Protection

[kaosbandit]

What did you say?, Huh?, I can't hear you...are all phrases you will be saying after reading this article.

https://www.spiritstrike.com/gear/2013/12/13/my-favorite-ear-protection

 

[Geezer]

I always wear hearing protection when riding, shooting, using anything with a small engine and even power tools.

My favorite ear plugs for riding are EAR re-useable plugs. They are soft and comfortable enough for multiple long days in the saddle. They are rated at 25 NRR, which is just right for me to block most noise but allow me to hear traffic sounds and the speakers I use for my GPS and radar detector. I have used the same pair for years and clean them periodically with alcohol.

I also carry a few pairs of these disposable foam ear plugs for times when I need a break from having the same ones in my ears. This usually happens after riding long days for more than a week straight.

 

[majicmaker]

Hearos work great. Love them. I don't ride without them.

 

[FJRay]

I use the orange foam ones. Buy them by the box of 250 sets. It really irritates people when I pull out a set in a resturant and put them in and smile at them.

 

[kaosbandit]

I use the orange foam ones. Buy them by the box of 250 sets. It really irritates people when I pull out a set in a resturant and put them in and smile at them.

I have a 6 month old in the house and I have often thought about ear plugs when he is in one of his moods Those blue ones I wrote about are SOOOO quiet I think they just might work.

 

[tcfjr]

I was gifted a pair of custom molded ear phones a few years back, and love them. They are all-day comfortable, secure in my ears, and the sound quality is first rate. I've worn them for 16 hours straight with no comfort issues. Like I said, I love them.

I like them so much that I got a separate, companion pair of custom molded ear plugs. These have removable filters in 5, 10, and 25db, plus a solid filter for 30+. I've used them for sleeping in noisy motels, and they are comfortable even when you're laying on your ear.

Depending on the ride, I always use either the custom ear phones or the custom ear plugs.

 

[majicmaker]

I use the orange foam ones. Buy them by the box of 250 sets. It really irritates people when I pull out a set in a resturant and put them in and smile at them.

Real Subtle gesture, Ray. That's funny as hell!

 

[Queensland Ken]

Earmolds

 

[DennisJ]

Molex Pura-Fit, rated at 33Db. I buy the un-corded ones by the box which last about 1 1/2 years. Good noise reduction, can still carry on a conversation at normal levels and hear traffic. Come two to a little package so easy to throw a pair in the little glovebox, in the pockets, tank bag, etc.

 

[Fred W]

Best I've ever found are EAR Soft Grippers. Like below, but I prefer the un-corded ones which are quite hard to come by.

Very comfy for all day, multiple days. Great (high) attenuation. And they are soft enough to fit varying sizes of ear canal comfortably.

For those who have never tried a 30+ dB attenuating earplug, give it a try. After a relatively short time you can hear the outside world quite well (engine, other cars, road noise, etc.) but without hearing damage. But at the end of the day you are far less tired and frazzled than with lesser (or no) earplugs

 

[gixxerjasen]

I was on a day trip and dropped an earplug in the toilet. Figured I'd ride without them. Huge mistake. At my next stop in a small town I started looking and none at the gas station so I walked across the street to a grocery store and couldn't find any to buy. I asked around and someone got on the radio and was trying to figure out if they had some. A guy walked in from their back warehouse and handed me a set of Howard Leight Laser Lites and said "This is what we use back in the back, take them."

It was like tufts of heaven in my ears. And not just because I'd just spent over two hours without earplugs but because they are amazing.

I got home and googled them and ordered up a box. I keep a box in the garage at all times.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I usually have my ear-buds in, so don't utilize plugs. However, if I'm not running music, I wear the foam orange ones I use under my Dillon electrics when I shoot. 28db or something like that. My daughters wear them when they ride, and I feel better about it.

Also remember: If you go on a trip and room with any of these Forum guys, make sure you have plugs. Many here snore like chainsaws. There's a couple guys here I love like brothers, but Jeebus...

FWIW, the last study I saw said their tests showed that almost no matter how quiet a helmet "seemed," they were all around 70db at 60+mph. That'll cause damage after an hour or so.

 

[John d]

I have Etymotic hf5 earbuds and can easily wear them all day. They sound great and are supposed to have 42 dB noise isolation.

 

[Eric L]

orange foam. I even sleep with them. My dog loves them. Too much. I keep losing orange earplugs, she keeps pooping orange earplugs.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Just reuse them Eric...

 

[Warpdrv]

I am an avid shooter...... I started out wearing electronic hearing protection https://www.proears.com/, in fact all the training facilities will not allow you to train without electronic hearing protection.

Since then I got suppressors (think mufflers or the media & hollywood likes to call them silencers) for pretty much all my weapons platforms so hearing protection is not totally needed, but I was introduced to Surefire Sonic Defenders... they are far and away the best hearing protection out there, fit completely in the ear and are easily removable... get the right size and your good to go. I can still easily run these on the loudest guns with no suppressors and do regularly....

I still run these inside the helmet with excellent results.... they do not catch on anything as they are not externally exposed. Plus they are very inexpensive.

https://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/hearing-protection.html

Note that the strings are detachable...

 

[JamesW]

Macks Earplugs, cover opening do not go in ear canal. Use about a pair a day when traveling, start fresh every day. They are a moldable waxy material. Usually found in drugstores.

 

[Erik]

My workplace provides custom molded earplugs, so when the hearing test truck came by, I ordered an extra set for use with my motorcycle and convertible. 29dB reduction.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Warpdv, there's a reason some ranges require over the ear protection. The pressure waves and noise will cause serious damage to your ears whether they are plugged or not. You should see how many older guys I shoot with that have lost significant hearing. Now they all "double plug" like me. Plugs in and muffs on.

Also, don't depend on suppressors to reduce sound and pressure enough to protect your ears. We still use protection when we use suppressed weapons. For a couple shots, it's prolly ok, but I wouldn't do it over prolonged use.

I've yet to see a suppressed pistol that doesn't report. It's not like TV. Rifles are even worse. From a few feet away, my .308 is great, but its still too loud for the user.