ear plugs
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
I've found the Moldex Spark Plugs NNR 33 to be the best for me. I have fairly small ear canals and these roll up very thin allowing me to insert them just right. I do have a 45% hearing deficit now though. Riding, shooting, loud machinery for over 50 yrs has taken it's toll.
I went to the Dr and when he told me my hearing loss is at the level of women's and children's voices I said "That's great Doc! How much do I owe ya?"
I went to the Dr and when he told me my hearing loss is at the level of women's and children's voices I said "That's great Doc! How much do I owe ya?"
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 379
Likes: 102
From: Illinois
I wear earpiece ear plugs. They come with 3 filter options for varied noise reduction.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
Thats what I have been wearing the last few years. They work good and are comfortable in my ears. I use the ones for small ear canal's. The fit better.
I've struggled with ear plugs for years. I could never find any that would stay in place when I put on my helmet. I was contemplating going to a hearing specialist and getting some custom molded earplugs, but was hesitant because of cost. I finally found
on Amazon, and have used them for the past 5 years or so. They are easy to mold, comfortable to wear, and stay in place when I put on my helmet. Definitely worth a try for only $12.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,149
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
Jet engine mechanic since `74 (that is when I was taught about wearing ear plugs).
When riding a motorcycle it is not the engine noise that damages your hearing, it is the wind noise.
I started using ear plugs when riding in the mid 70`s, no matter what type helmet.
I buy these by the box:
3M Classic Ear Plugs
When riding a motorcycle it is not the engine noise that damages your hearing, it is the wind noise.
I started using ear plugs when riding in the mid 70`s, no matter what type helmet.
I buy these by the box:
3M Classic Ear Plugs
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 406
Likes: 13
From: Langley, BC. Canada
Ear plugs
I'm a pilot. When I used to fly smaller single engine planes (now I fly mostly jets that are much quieter) I preferred the little memory foam ones that you'd roll between your fingers, to make then smaller and pointy, then place them in your ears and hold them with your finger until they expanded. They worked well, were about 75 cents to a buck a pair and lots of different companies make them. Check out pilot shops, gun shops, some hardware stores.....I had them in almost every jacket or pants I wore. All the brands of that type are all good.
I always use foam earplugs when I am riding any distance. Fresh ones stay compressed long enough to fully insert them, but older ones will expand too fast to get them inserted properly. I have learned that it is absolutely critical to get them in far enough and hold them in until they expand. If you have them in correctly, the world will go totally silent on you while you are standing there. If not, you will still hear ambient noise. I inset mine until I can feel the end of the plug lightly bottom in my ear canal.
Both my son and I have expensive molded earplugs and while they work for industrial environments, very well, they don't cut wind noise worth a darn and we both wear expensive Shoei full face helmets that are the quietest on the market.
Happy Riding.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
Absolutely right Gdt3. Lots of people don't know how to correctly insert them. There is a "reach around" technique involved. Rolled tight enough and inserted until you gag usually works.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 108
From: North Alabama
You'd think as an adult I would have known how to properly install earplugs in my ears. I always struggled to get them to seal well, and then the issue that others here mentioned, they'd get dislodged when I put my helmet (full face) on or took it off, and I'd have to do the whole dance again (while my friends were waiting on me....)
Then I watched this video and followed the instructions and voila, no more issues. The key is to work the foam slowly at first, don't just smash it between your palms quickly (this creases the foam). You need it rolled down pretty tight, and good foam plugs will roll down tight and stay rolled long enough to get them in your ear. And you need to get them inserted far enough; you shouldn't see the ends sticking way out of your ears if you look at yourself in the mirror (you see this ALL the time at the gun range, no one there knows how to put plugs in either).
Now I put the plugs in once, and can put my helmet on and off as much as I want and the plugs won't move. They don't come out until I want them to come out. Seems like such a small thing, but it made riding much more enjoyable having properly installed earplugs.
Then I watched this video and followed the instructions and voila, no more issues. The key is to work the foam slowly at first, don't just smash it between your palms quickly (this creases the foam). You need it rolled down pretty tight, and good foam plugs will roll down tight and stay rolled long enough to get them in your ear. And you need to get them inserted far enough; you shouldn't see the ends sticking way out of your ears if you look at yourself in the mirror (you see this ALL the time at the gun range, no one there knows how to put plugs in either).
Now I put the plugs in once, and can put my helmet on and off as much as I want and the plugs won't move. They don't come out until I want them to come out. Seems like such a small thing, but it made riding much more enjoyable having properly installed earplugs.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 610
Likes: 82
From: Indiana
I have found these to be a great blend of quality, value and comfort:
https://www.alpinehearingprotection..../motosafe-pro/
https://www.alpinehearingprotection..../motosafe-pro/