Ear plugs?

[SMOKEU]

I'm after some ear plugs to reduce wind noise, and I've had a look on TM and seen several options. I'm after advice on which ones are best.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hunting-shooting/accessories/other/auction-429424769.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/surfing/other/auction-429607578.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/travel-events-activities/activities/auction-429521156.htm

[imdying]

Find one of the suppliers like Plug4Lugz and have some moulded, they're bloody good.

Failing that, off to Bunnings for a big box of disposables.

[bogan]

Kiwiplugs just released a DIY kit for molded plugs. Search the site and it'll come up. So much better than disposable ones for comfort and reducing sound.

[Stirts]

50 cents at NZ Safety Store! And so paretty!!!

<img src="http://www.nzsafety.co.nz/images/large/nzs/405372.jpg"></img>

[slofox]

I had a pair of Plugz4Lugz made up and wore them until one of them broke. I was quite happy with them. Very comfortable with good overall attenuation although wind noise was still a little obtrusive.

Once one broke, I bought a pack of foam jobbies from the chemist to tide me over until I could get more customs made up.

I've never bothered to go back to the moulded ones. Here's why:-

Although the foams don't give the same level of overall attenuation, they actually filter out the wind noise better than the moulded versions. Just a frequency thing I think. The slightly lower attenuation level has a plus side too - I can hear the phone or RD better than I could with the moulded plugs. So I've stayed with the el cheapos ever since.

For me, removal of wind noise is more important than overall attenuation.

[Owl]

"Ear Man Pro" does moulded ones which are really good and he even does a do-it-yourself kit so you can make your own moulded plugs. PM him or search his posts.

[imdying]

Although the foams don't give the same level of overall attenuation, they actually filter out the wind noise better than the moulded versions.The opposite has been my experience, so obviously SmokeU YMMV.

I still keep a pair of disposables in my spare jackets, they work fine, just a pain to use compared to moulded ones.

[p.dath]

I reviewed some quite a while ago. Check this out:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/111391-Foam-Ear-Plugs-3M-versus-Moldex

[Flip]

Personally I like the foam 3M ones myself. I get about a year from a $2 set of foam plugs, I just wash them under the hot tap when they get dirty.

[Usarka]

They sell them in most adult stores, just tell them you need a couple of plugs.

[slofox]

They sell them in most adult stores, just tell them you need a couple of plugs.

Might be a bit big for your ears though...:whistle:

[turtleman]

I find a lot of the disposable ones are hard to get into my ears - I must have narrow ear canals (or something !).
The best disposable ones I have found come from the local Husqvarna mower shop, and were Husky branded.
They fit well in my ears, are comfortable and do a good job. Only $1 a set :yes:

[Jezxa]

http://www.earbuddies.co.nz/alpine-partyplug.html

I use these. They're designed for loud music at concerts but I find they work well on the bike and are really comfortable.

[Geeen]

I use these (http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/airsoft), I find they fit my ears better than the cheapie ones. Just wait for the 'ribbed for your pleasure' comments :innocent:

[Hitcher]

Might be a bit big for your ears though

Only for the first few uses.

[Hopeful Bastard]

I buy a pack (contains about 12) for $13 i think.. Get them from the Chemists. Roll them up, Hold your ear to open it up a bit and plug it in.

[slofox]

Only for the first few uses.

They'd "expand your hearing" y'reckon, huh..?

[TimeOut]

http://www.earbuddies.co.nz/alpine-partyplug.html

I use these. They're designed for loud music at concerts but I find they work well on the bike and are really comfortable.

I use these as well, really like them a lot more comfortable than the disposables

[YellowDog]

They sell them in most adult stores, just tell them you need a couple of plugs.

Yip, they're able to plug any hole of any size.

Just don't drop your bike key :buggerd:

[Captain_Salty]

I used to have trouble getting the cheap foam ones to stay in until someone told me they cut them in half (height-wise). Works a treat and i prefer to have a bit of outside noise. Have got some of those ribbed ones but they cut out so much noise I have to look at the tacho to know what the engines doing:weird:

[p.dath]

I used to have trouble getting the cheap foam ones to stay in until someone told me they cut them in half (height-wise). Works a treat and i prefer to have a bit of outside noise. Have got some of those ribbed ones but they cut out so much noise I have to look at the tacho to know what the engines doing:weird:

Negative, don't do that! It means your not putting them in properly. Do you pull the top of your ear up, to straighten your ear canal, before trying to put them in? Also do you roll them up nice and fine before trying to put them in?

[oneofsix]

Negative, don't do that! It means your not putting them in properly. Do you pull the top of your ear up, to straighten your ear canal, before trying to put them in? Also do you roll them up nice and fine before trying to put them in?

Yeah what he says plus watch this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SPNPZJingZA

[Racey Rider]

I had some of the Custom Moulded ear plugs made about three years ago. Used them regularly for work and play.
But apparently your ears are a part of your body that keep growing as you age. So now, though they are still useable, they are uncomfortable to use. So for the amount of cost to get them made, I think I'll be sticking to cheaper options from now on.

Racey.

[oneofsix]

I had some of the Custom Moulded ear plugs made about three years ago. Used them regularly for work and play.
But apparently your ears are a part of your body that keep growing as you age. So now, though they are still useable, they are uncomfortable to use. So for the amount of cost to get them made, I think I'll be sticking to cheaper options from now on.

Racey.

You are quite right, the ears (and nose) do keep growing but I hadn't thought that it would affect the custom made earplugs :eek: I thought it was only the soft outer tissue that kept grow, the lugs etc.
The reason I stick to the cheapies is that I lose the bloody things, lost another set on the SPCA ride, lucky they were only the 3m disposables (must keep spares in pocket :spanking:)

[nzspokes]

I have to us plugs as my bikes noisy. But Im going to try one of the windjammer things.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/helmets/auction-431065620.htm

[Captain_Salty]

Do you pull the top of your ear up, to straighten your ear canal, before trying to put them in? Also do you roll them up nice and fine before trying to put them in?

Yea I do that and that's how I get my shorter ones to stay in. I just can't get the full size in far enough, so the end expands outside of the canal and slowly drags the rest out. I guess I'm special.

[GrayWolf]

I use these (http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/airsoft), I find they fit my ears better than the cheapie ones. Just wait for the 'ribbed for your pleasure' comments :innocent:

I have a Nolan which are notorious for wind noise (flip front) Use these type of earplugs myself, fantastic at the job.

[dangerous]

50 cents at NZ Safety Store! And so paretty!!!
the bastard saftey stores down here now wont sell the plugs as single pairs, so its $128 for a box. I have had to change brands cos of this I found the non tapered plugs beter for me, but as we have read everyone has different personal choises.

After several hundred thousand km's on the bike (almost always worn pugs)I have loss a certain hearing range, so for any one uming n areing about ear plugs, just farking do it.

[NZsarge]

"Ear Man Pro" does moulded ones which are really good and he even does a do-it-yourself kit so you can make your own moulded plugs. PM him or search his posts.

Agreed, his custom ear plugs are great, never worn anything more comfortable in my ears.

[Voltaire]

I've got a bit of tinnitus from most likely a combination of work/rock music/motorcycle riding prior to the 00's. Noticeable when its very quiet....a constant low level buzz....thats the effect of long term low level noise....the sort where you don't bother with earmuffs.:no:
I find that wind noise fatiguing and it give me a headache, so I got a set of plugs for lugs.
Easier to fit than the disposables but I still get headaches and fatigue from the wind noise.....think it may be time to spring for a decent helmet.

[FatHead]

http://www.earbuddies.co.nz/alpine-partyplug.html

I use these. They're designed for loud music at concerts but I find they work well on the bike and are really comfortable.

I also use the alpine earplugs and they are great (for me personal choice rules on this one) I commute each day and have tried numerous foam varieties and apart from them looking absolutelyu gross they have a drawback or two that I could not live with. Most of them make my ears ring as soon as they are inserted, must be somthing to do with the noises in side my head :blink: The other is they block EVERY noise and i found that I could not hear the sirens of emergency vehicles which on at least one occasion gave me a fright.

I have worn the Alpine kits for a long time now and with a good wash in warm water every week they look fine and most importantly they keep the big noises out but let you hear the sirens and other riders talking when you stop at the lights.

All the above is my description of my preference so probably best you just do your own research and use what best suits your preferences.

[p.dath]

I also use the alpine earplugs and they are great (for me personal choice rules on this one) I commute each day and have tried numerous foam varieties and apart from them looking absolutelyu gross they have a drawback or two that I could not live with. Most of them make my ears ring as soon as they are inserted, ...

I have the same problem. I saw an audiologist about it and got my ears tested (decided to get my years tested ever year or two so I can tell how much damage I'm doing). Turns out most of us have ringing in our ears - its just a matter of weather you can perceive it being their. And sometimes when you put in ear plugs it makes everything else quieter, so you notice that background ringing.

[scumdog]

The biggest problem I have had with foam ear-plugs is if they get wet (sweat/rain) they will not stay rolled up long enough to get into the ear canal.
Anybody else have that problem and is there a fix?

[skinman]

Yes
& the fix for me was custom made plugs
Also found the foam jobs had a habit of working their way out sometimes, probably because couldnt get em in properly

[short-circuit]

Plugs (for any orifice) are for poofs

[p.dath]

The biggest problem I have had with foam ear-plugs is if they get wet (sweat/rain) they will not stay rolled up long enough to get into the ear canal.
Anybody else have that problem and is there a fix?

I can't say I have had that issue ... but they are cheap, and you can just throw them away.

I tend to mostly use the orange 3M ones these days.

[caspernz]

The biggest problem I have had with foam ear-plugs is if they get wet (sweat/rain) they will not stay rolled up long enough to get into the ear canal.
Anybody else have that problem and is there a fix?

That's a problem that I used to have. Solved it by having several pairs, letting them dry out between uses. Mind you, I bought a box of 200 sets from the safety store years back and it's still not empty. On trips, a quick rinse with hot water and soap, dry them overnight and presto....yeah ok, I'm a Dutchman :laugh:

[Silage]

I find that the foam and plastic "insert in the ear canal" type of plugs irritate my ears. So tried out the beeswax "spread over the ear canal opening" type of plugs and they are great. Good noise control and easy to "insert".

Well that was until I left them on the tank on a short stop and forgot to put in when puting my helmet on. Saw them - well one of them actually a way down the road and it fell off when fumbling for it. Stopped a short way up the road and it has half melted on the top of the engine. Now I use bluetac (aka smurf poo) as it looks, feels and acts the same as the wax stuff, only a little stickier.

[Gremlin]

Yea I do that and that's how I get my shorter ones to stay in. I just can't get the full size in far enough, so the end expands outside of the canal and slowly drags the rest out. I guess I'm special.
Nope, apparently I have narrow ear canals, and a few minutes after inserting the foam ones, they would expand and pop out. Drove me mad. Tried the alpine ones and gave them up because one would often pop after a few minutes of riding. Real unbalanced riding like that for an hour. Out of desperation I shoved them in real good one day. It was several days before a doctor could syringe out my ears (after shoving the ear wax together). Was deaf as a post for a few days. :laugh:

Custom moulded Plugz 4 Lugz for me, and I'm on my 3rd pair. Don't be stupid and go for a dark colour. Lost my first pair like that, on a sealed road. Second set broke after a lot of use (I believe the compound is updated to try to fix that) and my 3rd pair is a custom job, smaller than usual as the normal big size didn't let my ears flex in the helmet, and I couldn't wear for more than 10 hours or so, before it hurt like hell. The new ones are about half the size, don't stick quite as well in the ear, but I'm happy to sacrifice that if I can keep them in longer, which I now can. Ear plugs are useless if they are sitting in your pocket because you can't wear them.

I'll get my 4th pair moulded up at Paeroa, so I have a spare set again.