What is your technique for installing foam ear plugs?

[kuksul08]

The first time I saw someone licking their earplugs I wanted to puke.

Still don't get it, but apparently it's a thing.

I just roll 'em and stick 'em in. As soon as they get visible dirt or earwax I get a new pair. They're cheap enough, not worth risking an ear infection.

I use Laser Lites for general use or Max Lites for longer trips where comfort takes priority.

 

[Climber]

I use High Fidelity Ear Plugs that have silicone outer ribs.
They work much better than the old earplugs that I used (with some saliva).
You can clean the silicone off efficiently. I can hear my music better through them than without at highway speeds, they block out almost all of the wind noise.

 

[Rob]

Foam ear plugs are good for about a week before they start to lose their slow expand properties... or one accidental wash cycle.

Buy a big tub of moldex sparkplugs or similar and grab a new pack every week or so.

I, cut off 1/4 of the big end off and roll then insert them backward with the rounded part facing out. It's weird but works for me and my earplug and putting on a helmet procedures. If I screw it up I have to restart from the beginning to time the earplug expansion with after helmet install.

 

[PretzelThirst]

Are you re-using the same plugs over and over and over? The foam ones will lose their ability to compress and slowly re-fill over time and will become harder to get in quick enough. Try fresh ones if you haven't.