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Better Earplugs?

Abyss said:
I have a 50-pair jar of the CVS earplugs. They are an awesome value. However I don't think they really protect my ears well enough. ~30 dB reduction isn't cutting it.
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Just because the plug has a 30NRR doesn't mean you're getting a 30 dB noise reduction. 30 dB should be plenty. Actual attenuation of sound depends on fit and can depend on how you use them as well.

You can buy sampler packs from the earplug store, and see what works for you.
 
davidji said:
Just because the plug has a 30NRR doesn't mean you're getting a 30 dB noise reduction. 30 dB should be plenty. Actual attenuation of sound depends on fit and can depend on how you use them as well.

You can buy sampler packs from the earplug store, and see what works for you.
Click to expand...


I used ear plugs at work for over 40 years. Most people do not know how to put in ear plugs.
You need two hands, one to pull you ear up and open the ear canal.

Yes they really do go in as far as the video shows
[youtube]5nGO0qNTCd8[/youtube]
 
Abyss said:
Tell me about custom molded ones. You have my attention.
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There are a variety of kits on the market:

mmuedt.jpg


2csfitv.jpg


You can even get some with iPod-style speakers molded into them.

11v7ekk.jpg
 
bikeama said:
I used ear plugs at work for over 40 years. Most people do not know how to put in ear plugs.
You need two hands, one to pull you ear up and open the ear canal.

Yes they really do go in as far as the video shows
[youtube]5nGO0qNTCd8[/youtube]
Click to expand...

Holy shit dude... you blew my mind. I was doing it wrong all along! No wonder it wasn't working! I had no idea you had to hold your ear up. They get in there so much further.

You're the man :thumbup
 
bikeama said:
Yes they really do go in as far as the video shows
Click to expand...
Good video. At first I didn't realize how far roll-ups can go in because my ear canal has a shape that isn't really compatible with them--I can do all that and they won't go in. I can only reliable get roll-ups in my ear if I pour water in my ear first. Then roll the plugs, pull my ear back, insert and hold.

I usually use a no-roll plug and for that I just have to wet the plug first.

When I do use a roll-up it's that pink and yellow one from the video. Quiet and comfortable. If it was easier to insert in my ear it would be my main plug.
 
i still like my Vmoda plugs:x

totally gonna have to remember this if i lose mine though:thumbup
 
Abyss said:
Holy shit dude... you blew my mind. I was doing it wrong all along! No wonder it wasn't working! I had no idea you had to hold your ear up. They get in there so much further.

You're the man :thumbup
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If you have smaller ear canals like myself, opening you mouth (lowering the jaw) aids in insertion as well. It's quite a game changer when you learn how to properly insert them isn't it?
 
EarlyApex said:
If you have smaller ear canals like myself, opening you mouth (lowering the jaw) aids in insertion as well. It's quite a game changer when you learn how to properly insert them isn't it?
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It certainly makes them a lot more itchy :laughing

But the fit is way better. I'll have to see how it works out on the road. I feel like my whole world has been blown wide open.

Someone find a treatment for tinnitus already.
 
bikeama said:
I used earplugs at work for over 40 years. Most people do not know how to put in earplugs.
You need two hands, one to pull you ear up and open the ear canal.

Yes they really do go in as far as the video show.
Click to expand...

Excellent post! Having used earplugs on construction sites, around large industrial coolers, boilers & cogen turbines for 25yrs, pretty much everyone I know wears earplugs. I just took it for granted that other people knew how to insert them.
 
Abyss said:
I may have to suck it up and buy some. They're expensive, but necessary it seems until they finally fucking figure out how to treat tinnitus.

In the interim until I suddenly become a gazillionaire I'm looking for earplugs that might be slightly more expensive but better than your bargain brand. I have found the CVS ones to be almost identical to Hearos.
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I have tinnitus as well and there's not much you can do except live with it. I don't find the quality of my earplugs make much difference in that regard. I've done the very expensive custom ear plugs and actually found then marginally worse than simple 30-32DB Hearos that I use now. The key for me was that I needed to cut them down by about a 3rd off the outstide end AND I needed to make sure that I rolled them down really tight before inserting. When I do that, I get a great seal in my small ear canals AND the outside end doesn't rub my helmet and cause irritation in my ears.

And now after watching that video, I'm gonna try full ones and see if I can get them in properly.
 
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bikeama said:
I used ear plugs at work for over 40 years. Most people do not know how to put in ear plugs.
You need two hands, one to pull you ear up and open the ear canal.
Click to expand...

Its amazing how many people use earplugs wrong with only a quarter of the earplug inserted. I won't ride without earplugs, unless its offroad, and I've only ever used the cheap ones. I've had my ears tested twice in the past few years and very low numbers, low is good.
I don't do the reach over the head to stretch the ear but I do wet the earplug first and it inserts fully easily. At work people will say "you should wear earplugs in there" and I turn sideways to show I am wearing them. They think just poking the end in is sufficient.

.
 
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Blankpage said:
Its amazing how many people use earplugs wrong with only a quarter of the earplug inserted. I won't ride without earplugs, unless its offroad, and I've only ever used the cheap ones. I've had my ears tested twice in the past few years and very low numbers, low is good.
I don't do the reach over the head to stretch the ear but I do wet the earplug first and it inserts fully easily. At work people will say "you should wear earplugs in there" and I turn sideways to show I am wearing them. They think just poking the end in is sufficient.

.
Click to expand...

This!
Older and/or experienced riders/racers who don't care about being sexy, roll tightly then moisten the plugs before inserting. (maybe you can find a more sanitary way to do this...) You also need to wait 5-10 seconds for them to expand fully before pulling on your helmet.
The result of a partially inserted plug is a nasty resonance.
That is a peaking frequency that "rings" intensely as wind noise increases. I'd rather ride without any plugs at all than listen to that!
I'll pull over and fix it immediately if that happens and you should too.
You'll know the plugs are fully seated when all ambient noises drop way down and your own voice is extremely muted.
 
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I shot competitively for 10+ years and tried 'custom' plugs. They actually were worse then the Leight's (and I always doubled plugged). As has been stated, the plugs have to be inserted 'correctly'. I always moisten 'em to get 'em in deep and seat correctly.
 
As a guy that has worn earplugs daily for years (motorcycling and I fly in and work around noisy ass helicopters) I would not have considered that the OP wasn't aware of the recommended way to insert them... Great that this simple advice was brought up and hopefully will help out in the future!

FWIW, I have considered getting custom earplugs for years, but the disposable ones are just so little hassle and work well enough that I keep putting it off.
 
^^customs aren't better at blocking out ambient noise that high quality foamies like the hearos, they're just easier and quicker to insert, and they last indefinitely (unless you lose 'em).
 
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