SilentEar earplugs

[limmy]

Just got these yesterday. According to the website it's the "Highest Rated Reusable Ear Plug Currently Made Anywhere in the World..." so I would give them a go. It has a NRR 32 rating. I got them here http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/silnatrubear.html

I was using some $50 fancy earplugs I got. I can't remember the ones but they are they come with a red pouch. They look a bit like these http://www.allearplugs.com/AEP6/Ear-...-(x1-pair).htm. I think some of you will know the ones I'm talking bout. From memory these have a NRR 26 rating.

According to the description that came with the SilentEar earplugs it should cut noise by half the volume and also reduce noise over 85dB. What can I say except that it does what it says. In comparison the fancy ones I have only reduce the noice by a quarter of the volume. (guesstimate).

When I used it this morning for my ride to work it was definitely much quieter than my old ones. I got up to about 110km/h and it was still very quiet. It also fits better. The earplugs come in 3 sizes. Because I didn't know which size I would need I got a 3-pack that had one of each size. I tried that small size this morning. It was a bit too small for me but it still kept the noise out regardless. So I'm going to try the medium tomorrow. Note: It may felt snug when I was trying it out at home but it felt lose when I was riding.

Cost? Not too bad at all. For the three pairs of ear plugs it cost me about US$20 (~nz$30) including shipping. It arrived in about a week. The earplugs also have it's own containers with a key ring.

Overall, I'm very happy with the ear plugs. I've tried foam ear plugs and a couple of other ones but these have to be the best ear plugs that I've used so far and also the most comfortable.

[Motu]

The ones in the red pouch are Alpine,and they are designed to let certain fequencies through...so you can hear people talking,phones ringing,and your exhaust note - could this be why you think they are quieter? I see the same company do a ''Quiet Ear'',same theory as the Alpine,but cheaper and without the filter which hurts my ears....maybe I'll give them a try.

[Fatjim]

In my experience earplugs deteriorate with usage. Some take longer than others but you can't tell untill you try a new pair.

I've found some nice soft comfortable 33db disposables at the safety shop.

They only last a week or so though. But they're pretty scungy by then too.

[limmy]

The ones in the red pouch are Alpine,and they are designed to let certain fequencies through...so you can hear people talking,phones ringing,and your exhaust note - could this be why you think they are quieter? I see the same company do a ''Quiet Ear'',same theory as the Alpine,but cheaper and without the filter which hurts my ears....maybe I'll give them a try.

That is true but I find it too loud. With this one I'm still hearing everything out there but just softer. Also the Alpines let through more wind noise than I thought was acceptable.

[limmy]

In my experience earplugs deteriorate with usage. Some take longer than others but you can't tell untill you try a new pair.

I've found some nice soft comfortable 33db disposables at the safety shop.

They only last a week or so though. But they're pretty scungy by then too.

Thanks for the observation. I never knew the deteriorate. That could be why my Alpines don't seem to work that well.

I think these ones should last a bit longer. They say you can even rinse them to keep it clean. Although I'm not planning on doing that. I think the extra ear wax helps give a better fit and keep the noise out.

[Lou Girardin]

I've found that the Alpines get REALLY quiet when they're plugged up with earwax.

[Squeak the Rat]

I've found some nice soft comfortable 33db disposables at the safety shop.

I think I got some of those. Red buggers, cost about 55cents. Work well, but it created a bit of suction that hurt my ear when I yanked it out.....

[Motu]

The Alpines come with two different filters,but I've never tried the alternate ones - I just want to cut the wind noise and keep everything else,they are great for that,but not the comfort.The squashy things make me feel like I'm riding with my fingers in my ears,horrible.

[skelstar]

I have the blue Xmas tree ones that are on a blue string. Used them for ages and they are great. They only cost $5. Not so flash for finding in the dark though...might have to look for another pair that are brighter/yellower.

[limmy]

I have the blue Xmas tree ones that are on a blue string. Used them for ages and they are great. They only cost $5. Not so flash for finding in the dark though...might have to look for another pair that are brighter/yellower.

I've got a pair of those as well but they are too small. The SilentEar is definitely better than those. Although it would cost a bit more as well. It's more comfortable. I found the xmas tree didn't stay in place and didn't cut out much noise.

[limmy]

The Alpines come with two different filters,but I've never tried the alternate ones - I just want to cut the wind noise and keep everything else,they are great for that,but not the comfort.The squashy things make me feel like I'm riding with my fingers in my ears,horrible.

Alpines were comfortable enough for me but it only cut down wind noise by a fraction. I've tried both filters but they didn't make any noticeable difference. Maybe it's just the fitting.

[limmy]

I've found that the Alpines get REALLY quiet when they're plugged up with earwax.

Hmm...possibly the best earplugs is earwax

[skelstar]

Earwax: my ears were quite gummed up at one stage so I bought the gunk that you put in your ears to 'loosen the stuff up' with. All it did was make all the wax form a perfect seal over both my ear holes. Couldnt hear a thing. Went totally reclusive as a result (couldnt hear convo's). Was an amazing transformation.

Brilliant when you get them cleared out again.

[Fatjim]

Earwax: my ears were quite gummed up at one stage so I bought the gunk that you put in your ears to 'loosen the stuff up' with. All it did was make all the wax form a perfect seal over both my ear holes. Couldnt hear a thing. Went totally reclusive as a result (couldnt hear convo's). Was an amazing transformation.

Brilliant when you get them cleared out again.

Fuck that would have been funny to see. Skelstar sitting quietly in a corner!

Mine are yellow. Maybe we could all compare notes at the trackday this weekend. I can show you guys how grubby they really get.

As for suction, you only do that about 5 times before you learn.