Earplugs: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

**Stan** · 9th November 2006, 09:48

The best earplugs you'll get are "Musician's Earplugs". They reduce the noise by 15 or 20dB (depending on the model) but they reduce it evenly across the frequency spectrum which means everything sounds like it should, just quieter.

They are custom fitted so you go to an audiologist and get a mould taken of your ear and they make them to suit which means they fit perfectly and are comfortable for hours of use.

The downside is that they are expensive and take a week or two to get made.

I got a set made years ago when I was running sound-off competitions and they are fantastic.

Check them out:
http://www.elacin.co.nz/music%20protection.htm

**Warr** · 9th November 2006, 15:56

These people are from Rotorua and make up silicon ear plugs while you wait.
They were at Turangi at the beginning of the Grand Challenge where I picked up a card intending to check them out later.
To date I have been using the NZ Safety "SparkPlugs" but thought some custom made ones might be the go for $60 I recall.

**notme** · 9th November 2006, 17:00

Originally Posted by Stan

The best earplugs you'll get are "Musician's Earplugs". They reduce the noise by 15 or 20dB (depending on the model) but they reduce it evenly across the frequency spectrum which means everything sounds like it should, just quieter.

They are custom fitted so you go to an audiologist and get a mould taken of your ear and they make them to suit which means they fit perfectly and are comfortable for hours of use.

The downside is that they are expensive and take a week or two to get made.

I got a set made years ago when I was running sound-off competitions and they are fantastic.

Check them out:
http://www.elacin.co.nz/music%20protection.htm

Elacin good.

Me drummer.
duuuuur.
Me have custom made plugs for me lugs.
dribble.
Ears hear good still, not hardly deeeef at all.
Not even that expensive - around $200 is not a lot for the value i place on my hearing.
Elacin goooood.

**igor** · 9th November 2006, 17:33

Originally Posted by Beemer

Been cleaning around my ears (NOT shoving the cotton bud right to the hilt!) with cotton buds or a rolled up tissue for years. I've never had any problems because I don't have a build-up of crap in my ears to start with. I've never had to go to a doctor or pharmacy because of crap in my ears and I don't believe anyone who says if you leave them alone they will not require cleaning! I suppose you subscribe to the same school as those with dreadlocks - after a while the oil and grease and dirt build-up will sort itself out and not require cleaning - yeah, right!

hey get back in the kitchen. ya ears don't wax up s ya so close to the ground

i got the alpines and love im. follow the instructions putting im in. I pull the top of me ear up and they go in easy. they even supply a little dofah to put im on and then push in in. use the other end to xtract im. 6 hrs of riding and not tired.

**greenman** · 9th November 2006, 19:33

Originally Posted by Warr

These people are from Rotorua and make up silicon ear plugs while you wait.
They were at Turangi at the beginning of the Grand Challenge where I picked up a card intending to check them out later.
To date I have been using the NZ Safety "SparkPlugs" but thought some custom made ones might be the go for $60 I recall.

at $60 they are cheaper than what I thought, when I wear oup my alpines I will give them a try.

thanks

**Gremlin** · 10th November 2006, 00:09

Originally Posted by Stan

... They reduce the noise by 15 or 20dB (depending on the model) but they reduce it evenly across the frequency spectrum which means everything sounds like it should, just quieter.

Thats not really enough, hoping for more like 30-ish dB (Alpine reach 27-ish at certain frequencies). Alpine Motosafe are targeted for wind noise, but yeah, would prefer something that is right across the range.

Originally Posted by Warr

These people are from Rotorua and make up silicon ear plugs while you wait.

Do you know how many dB reduction these plugs are rated for? Might give them an email otherwise...

**Highlander** · 10th November 2006, 01:25

Originally Posted by Freakshow

There is a hippy alternative the the Syringe and its called ear candeling.

You mean like Shrek did when he pulled the glob of wax out and lit it for a candlelight dinner?

**Moxy** · 10th November 2006, 02:02

Originally Posted by Warr

These people are from Rotorua and make up silicon ear plugs while you wait.
They were at Turangi at the beginning of the Grand Challenge where I picked up a card intending to check them out later.
To date I have been using the NZ Safety "SparkPlugs" but thought some custom made ones might be the go for $60 I recall.

Silicon ear plugs are the shizz. I bought a pair at a chemist in aus for about $7.

Basically, they are 2 blobs of silicon which mould around your outer ear like the ones in the picture, only enter maybe a half cm into your ear, and cut out most all noise.

$7 is a lot better than $60 - I don't think you really need custom moulded silicon plugs when the generic ones do the trick.

**Kendog** · 10th November 2006, 05:22

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Thats not really enough, hoping for more like 30-ish dB (Alpine reach 27-ish at certain frequencies). Alpine Motosafe are targeted for wind noise, but yeah, would prefer something that is right across the range.

Alpine plugs are great.

I would have thought making everything quieter would be the way to go, but not really. I can stil hear the bike, cars and talking pretty well but the wind noise has gone down a lot. For me that is what good ear plugs should do.

**NinjaNanna** · 10th November 2006, 15:58

Originally Posted by Freakshow

There is a hippy alternative the the Syringe and its called ear candeling. I havent needed it but have heard great things and its not painfull.

I ll ask my partner for more details and let you know if interested.

I heard this called Quackery. That's not true I've used these a number of times and they are fantastic for cleaning your ears out, I've no opinion on their other SUPOSSED benefits.

I highly recommend them, you should be able to find them at a chemist, and take care of your blocked ear the same day instead of having to wait for a doctors appointment.

Also out of interest, ear candles in Australia are about $20 for two, how much was your doctors appointment, not being a smart arse, I'm geniuinely interested.

**SuperDave** · 10th November 2006, 16:14

I use those purple rocket ones which are fine. The first thing I do with a new set of them is rip the annoying cord off and cut the 'trunk' of the earplug down so that they don't stick so far out of my ears - I find this stops my helmet from pushing on them.

Dunno about others, but I personally don't like to put the earplug fully in and fully seal the ear off, which of course is when the earplug will be the most effective. Rather I put them in partially so I only get a slight noise reduction. I can't handle having them fully in when riding, I find that I am unable to equalize my ears and I 'feel' every little bit of road shock in my head, wind buffeting over my helmet becomes almost intolerable as it will then feel like its smashing my brain.

Does anyone else find this to be the case?

**terbang** · 10th November 2006, 16:18

Well I've got big holes..! So regular earplugs don't even touch the sides. Yeah I know a freak and I'm also deaf as a post. Just got a set of Elacin ones made by this bloke here:
Thomas Müller
Acoustix Hearing Limited
437 Remuera Road
Remuera
Auckland
New Zealand

Ph: +64 9 522 9240
Fax: +64 9 524 9192
Mobile: +64 21 528 510
Email: acoustix@paradise.net.nz

He takes a copy of your ear hole and sends it away to Holland (I think) for manufacture. The product I chose was one that was specific to people who wear helmets in a noisey environment. Yup thats us lot. Not cheap at $250 kiwi but then what value is our hearing. eh..?

**Hitcher** · 10th November 2006, 16:39

Fascinating. How, exactly does Herr Müller take a cast of one's ear? Should one scan it and fax it to him?

**Karma** · 10th November 2006, 16:49

Originally Posted by terbang

I'm also deaf as a post.

[snip]

Not cheap at $250 kiwi but then what value is our hearing. eh..?

Deaf as a post? I'll take that as a glowing recommendation they work eh?

**bell** · 10th November 2006, 17:13

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Fascinating. How, exactly does Herr Müller take a cast of one's ear? Should one scan it and fax it to him?

Interesting views here re protecting your hearing.

Hitcher, they mix up this silicone/some bullshit space-age type stuff into a putty (think Liquid Nails and you're a bit too gooey) firstly. Actually firstly is a piece of cotton plucked from your shirt hem and wrapped/tied to a piece of cotton wool that gets pushed into your ear canal. Then in gets pumped the gooey gel stuff and is allowed to set. 10 mins max. probably.

Pull on the string that was cleverly left hanging outside your ear and out pops (doesn't make a pop actually, but I think you knew that) the mould of your ear and your ear only. Unique.

The link below is for the bloke up in Rotorua I think. I had mine made up in Oz.
A$200 and 30 minutes and you can choose what attentuation you'll get from the plugs. Mine are the "stereo wires" with a 3.5 or 2.5 mm plug for radio, MP3, radar detector etc. Easy to put in and don't come loose as they were made to fit your ears like, er, a glove. No that's not the best analogy.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-76707948.htm

There was another thread, I'm sure there are more than a few on here, re earplugs. Some helpful person will post more links. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=29559
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=30492

Oh yeah, I'm deaf. Not 100% but across the range it's pretty 'bad'. 200$ is worth paying so that I'll be able to communicate with people in the years to come. Fuck, it's already hard but trust me, you'll regret not doing something about it when you could have. That time is now.

When was your last hearing test?