Ear Plugs?

[unhingedlizard]

my cat used to eat my earplugs. Made him sick but he didnt learn..

[Big Dave]

After 30 years of riding,

I never figured you for a newbie - I've got more than 40 - nyah!

I calculate approx 1,250,000km ridden - on averages and allowing for a few years with toddlers and no bike and round-the-park-and-property mini bike estimates.

[Eurygnomes]

I have more trouble getting a plug in the right hand one than the left hand one!

There's a method of putting them in that I learnt on a firing range once. It's really difficult to describe, but it's brilliant (I used to wear earplugs when my partner stayed over - he snored fit to wake the neighbours and I'm the lightest sleeper ever!) so I'll give it a go.

TO INSERT INTO LEFT EAR.

Hold plug in left hand.
Put your right arm around the back of your head (warm up stretches SHOULDN'T be necessary!)
Pull the cartilage on the back of your ear (top) towards the back of your head a little ways (ie. pull ear REALLY flat).
Insert plug.
Repeat (swapping left and right) for right ear plug.

This method never fails to ensure perfect positioning of earplugs for me. And there ain't nowt special about these oscillatory tunnels.

(except the headache I get if cold wind goes into them - anyone else with that problem?)

[Big Dave]

my cat used to eat my earplugs. Made him sick but he didnt learn..

Did you use them again afterwards?

[vifferman]

Placidfemme: Suggest you try a range of plugs first to see what brand you're most comfortable with as they vary a fair bit.

Although I haven't seen them, I've heard that 'sampler' packets are available, that let you try different types, so you can find the ones that suit you. I prefer the 3M orange tapered ones - they're cheap, readily available, and work well. I suggest that using smooth, tapered plugs is better than those cylindrical ones (usually blue of yellow) as they're easier to insert.

We bought a box of Elvex ones - blue foam ear plugs - that seem to work really well. ...And I can only wear them for an hour or so with the Nolan and then I have to take them out or it feels like someone has punched me under the ears!

Then I suggest they're not the right ones for you. Try a few other ones - it's not worth sticking with the Elvish ones just because you already have them. Unless you've got blue Elven ears...

I had several long rides in the late 90's - like Hamilton to Chch and back - where I didn't wear ear protection. It took a very long time for the tinnitus (ringing in my ears) to subside. Crazy, when I always wore earmuffs with power tools... I guess it's because the wind noise is sort of innocuous and sneaky - it's not obviously REALLY LOUD, so you don't think it's harming your ears, until you come back from a long ride and your ears HURT. Then it's too late.

[AMPS]

Where are Alpine plugs available from? Are they multi-sized? One of my ear 'oles must have come from the reject bin when God handed them out as I have more trouble getting a plug in the right hand one than the left hand one!

We have them. They have 2 soft baffles so they should fit most ears.
Lou

[vifferman]

Did you use them again afterwards?

Speaking of that - because I've got Scottish ancestry, I re-use my disposable earplugs. Just wash 'em in warm soapy water, rinse, squeeze dry with a towel or summat. It's not so much a cost-saving thing, as a convenience.
BTW - the airlines will give you earplugs if you ask. Got a recent set from my bro-in-law who travels very frequently. Even came in a nice plastic case, which I now use for my 3M ones.

[k14]

Yeah I "aquired" about a hundred or more sets of the 3m ones from my old work. Always wear them when racing and when I had a road bike I wore them whenever I was going out of town. Too much of a nusiance to put them in when I was only travelling 2 or 3km. Makes life alot easier and you can still hear the engine etc fine.

[Pixie]

Speaking of that - because I've got Scottish ancestry, I re-use my disposable earplugs. Just wash 'em in warm soapy water, rinse, squeeze dry with a towel or summat. It's not so much a cost-saving thing, as a convenience.
BTW - the airlines will give you earplugs if you ask. Got a recent set from my bro-in-law who travels very frequently. Even came in a nice plastic case, which I now use for my 3M ones.

There must be some shared ancestry between Scots and Italians,I do the same.My excuse is that the Conform Foam softens with repeated washings.
I tried every disposable on the market till I found E.A.R. EZ Fit.I have small lug canals and the EZ Fits are the only ones that are EZ to fit.Funny that.
I even got the Audiologists to make me some molded plugs,when I worked at Green Lane hosp.They were useless.
Sometimes I get a sore head If I push the plugs in too far,I think they press on my brain.
Before I found the EZ fits I would get such sore ears after a couple of hours that taking my helmet off was like jamming red hot pokers into my ears.
But ear plugs reduce fatigue while on long trips and fatigue = accidents.
I even used to wear them in my '80s Toyota Camry -Bloody aussies..didn't they hear of sound insulation? Probably because they went deaf driving the camry.
And,if your ears ring after you ride, that is a bad sign!
When you are 70 you be one of those deaf old bastards we all love

[Pixie]

Awesome information... Now... I didn't know any of that...

*makes a mental note to buy some ear plugs*

Where can I buy ear plugs (the cheap kind)

NZSafety or Protector Safety stores in most industrial areas

[Pixie]

Really? I'll revist the set Tony gave me then. I thought they were a bit small for my economy size bung holes, but i've changed shape since I last tried them.
Might just wait for the rain to stop - September innit?

Something happen to your head Dave? It didn't involve a backing truck I hope?

[Big Dave]

Something happen to your head Dave? It didn't involve a backing truck I hope?

No - it's just skinnier. It's always had a weird shape and contents.

[Big Dave]

>>>Mmmmm......Soylent Green ( tongue lols out,drool forms) <<<

What's next - Logan's Run?
I can't do 'Chuck' since the NRA 'dying hands' thing.

[TygerTung]

What about those dudes on goldwings with the massive windscreens and stuff?

Do they get wind noise?

[Lou Girardin]

There must be some shared ancestry between Scots and Italians,I do the same.My excuse is that the Conform Foam softens with repeated washings.
I tried every disposable on the market till I found E.A.R. EZ Fit.I have small lug canals and the EZ Fits are the only ones that are EZ to fit.Funny that.
I even got the Audiologists to make me some molded plugs,when I worked at Green Lane hosp.They were useless.
Sometimes I get a sore head If I push the plugs in too far,I think they press on my brain.
Before I found the EZ fits I would get such sore ears after a couple of hours that taking my helmet off was like jamming red hot pokers into my ears.
But ear plugs reduce fatigue while on long trips and fatigue = accidents.
I even used to wear them in my '80s Toyota Camry -Bloody aussies..didn't they hear of sound insulation? Probably because they went deaf driving the camry.
And,if your ears ring after you ride, that is a bad sign!
When you are 70 you be one of those deaf old bastards we all love

Italian or Scot, a tightarse is universal.
They must br frigging long earplugs - stick them in your ears and they reach your butt.
Don't knock selective hearing, it's the greatest boon to married mankind ever.