Ear Plugs

[Keystone19]

I have a minor problem that is nagging me. I have been unable to find a set of ear plugs that are comfortable. The main problem seems to be that I have a small head (I know, I know, many would argue that the opposite is true) but the result is that I therefore have relatively small ears. Anyway, I find that after about 10 minutes of wearing plugs I develop an irritating ear ache that after about an hour is unbearably painful and I have to remove the plugs. It takes about 2 days for the pain to settle down and allow me to wear the plugs again.

I have tried as many brands as I have been able to find and the best so far have been the soft plugs they had for sale at the Paeroa street race but I haven't been able to find them again.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for small ears?

[crashe]

Buy Kids earplugs...

or get them made to fit... could be a tad costly but worth it since you are gonna be racing heaps now.

Yungatart had some made for Hxc

[Karma]

General concensus seems to be to get some custom made ones that are molded to your ear or something...

I used to have to wear plugs for my job for a year a while back, just takes a knack to get them in there, and after a while they get quite natural, and I'd end up getting in the car and driving halfway home wondering why the sterio wasn't as loud as before...

[vifferman]

Many chemist shops have quite a range of earplug types and sizes available. They are dearer than the safety places though.
Also, I think you can buy trial packs (at least you can overseas) that have a variety of shapes, types and sizes so you can find out what suits.
The other alternative is to get custom ear moulds made. I think the hearing clinics at hospitals do these.

[SwanTiger]

I brought some from Mt. Eden Motorcycles the other day, there werre four in a small oval like container. They are brilliant. Shorter and much more fitting and would probably suite your "small ears".

Failing that, as Crashe suggested get kids ones. Or there is a method you can use by tucking them in which I have to do with my little girl when we take her to races.

[Kendog]

Hey Keystone, have you tried the ones that are mouldable, they feel like ear wax, but are pinky-white and kinda moist, but they seal the ear without actually having to shove much of it into your ear canal. They come in two pairs with a little white carry container and look like tiny tampons (without tow rope) until you squish them and mould them. Sorry I can't be more helpful enough to give you the name, as it was a while ago I bought them, but I got them from the chemist and I think they may be swimming ear plugs. Good luck, I know the pains of having a small head, having to wear a childs XS helmet.
Mrs KD

[sAsLEX]

Kiwi off the site http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=36

make customs ones, look at the website in his profile

[DemonWolf]

Keystone19 I would recommend going to a ear specialist and have your ear's checked out. Perhaps you shouldn't be wearing ear-plugs at all.. getting your ear's checked out would be the way to go.. because if your earing is damaged there's little that doctors can do to repair it.

oh.. and they should be able to recommend what if any ear-plugs for you to use... good luck in sorting your problem out.

[Keystone19]

Good luck, I know the pains of having a small head, having to wear a childs XS helmet.
Mrs KD

Hehe, yep, I even tried the HJC junior helmets and they were too small...the only one in the country that fits is a SHOEI XXS and that only comes in black in the Raid II!

I like the idea of the ones that sit in the exterior of the ear like you suggest Kendog but the last ones I tried just kept falling out and I ended up having to mould them in and ended up with the same problem. Maybe I should have tried some sellotape to make them stick.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Anyone know anywhere in Auckland I can enquire about getting some made.

[Keystone19]

Thanks Saslex and Demonwolf, you just answered my last question.

Yeah, I already have some hearing loss from explosive use in my younger days so do need to be careful.

[T.W.R]

Hoppe's make shooters earplugs in junior sizes. A good firearms store should have them or be able to get them for you

[NinjaBoy]

for sale at the Paeroa street race but I haven't been able to find them again.

The multi-coloured ones at Paeroa I use and got them from the NZ Safety shop. Far cheaper there than a Chemist (approx 50c a pair).

Maybe you can shave the soft moulded ones to size

[Reno]

Check out this website. www.elacin.co.nz

They create a mould from your ear e canal and fabricate them from that. I'm looking at getting a pair soon. They are $270+gst a pair so a bit pricey but the noise I'm subject to at work they're worth it.

[Fatjim]

There are many differnt sizes and ratings. I've gone to a very soft type that are very comfortable.
Are you coming the the trackday this weekend Keystone?
I'll bring a spare pair up for you to try.


Tips for earplugs.

Firstly roll it between your fingers to squash it before insertion.
Pulling down on earlobe can make insertion a whole lot easier.
Try to relieve suction before slowly removing.
Don;t let them get wet or too dirty to avoid infections.

[Keystone19]

Yep, I'll be at the Track day Fatjim - thanks.

Reno, they sound really good, I had a flick through the website. But as you say very expensive! Definitely worth thinking about though.