Ear plugs

[FaceThePower]

After a couple of years riding motorbikes, I notice that I have to listen to louder volume on the TV and radios. So I am wearing ear plugs more often nowaday, especially with the flip-type helmets which have more noises. I feel a lot more comfortable on long rides (the wind noises do get to you during a long trip).

The ones I use for several years and recommend are SilentEar from Heartech. They still allow voice frequencies to pass through. I can talk to people (traffic cops ) without taking my helmet and ear plugs off - albeit in a louder voice. They have three versions - the SilentEar version is best for motorbikes. They come in different sizes, are washable and inexpensive. Buy the family pack, one set for your ears, the rest for your pillions:



Reviews here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/heartech/earplugs.htm

Get them here:
http://www.heartech.co.il/

Mention webBikeWorld when you buy online to get a discount.

[Rhino]

I got the trial packs of these...

two different types of plugs and 3 sizes in each to find out which ones would suit me best.

But for the life of me, I cannot get them to maintain a good seal when the helmet goes on... they shift when the neck roll squeezes over my ears and I cannot get my digits into the helmet to re-set them. I've tried cutting the 'fins' off too but to no avail.

A great product... but I just can't get them into my helmet with any success

[FaceThePower]

I got the trial packs of these...

two different types of plugs and 3 sizes in each to find out which ones would suit me best.

But for the life of me, I cannot get them to maintain a good seal when the helmet goes on... they shift when the neck roll squeezes over my ears and I cannot get my digits into the helmet to re-set them. I've tried cutting the 'fins' off too but to no avail.

A great product... but I just can't get them into my helmet with any success
[/b]

I had that problem with tight full-face helmets sometimes. The flip up is much easier. Does your helmet have some space where your ears fit? I think the padding may be tight there. Some helmets have space or removable paddings around the ears (great for intercom speakers and ear phones). Or try the smaller plugs which go further into your ears and hence do not stick out too much.

[terrible]

Anyone local sell these?

[apophis]

we should call for a group buy, get em in a box, i am sure its cheaper to buy individual pairs.

I am so sick of the wind noise.

[reddog]

Work ones are free and work extremely well. I wouldn't go buying any if your workplace has them. I believe they are the E.A.R plugs if anyone wanted to know.

Used them at the drags while watching the Nitro's and they work well with that noise level as well.

If I buy some plugs they'll be in ear monitors so I can hook them up to a bike comm unit, just a pity they are so expensive.

[terrible]

I mite try and get work to get more in..
and ill take them on a long term test.

[aussieman]

i use the 30c a packet ones from the hardware store in james st perth you just roll the ends down lick them and they slide in very easy and when the expand back out magic no noise and you can still hear a siren or horn ok which is had to hear when there is wind noise. a 30c pack of two will last 6 months easy

[terrible]

i use the 30c a packet ones from the hardware store in james st perth you just roll the ends down lick them and they slide in
[/b]

wet willy !!

[JoshG]

Hmm, just noticed that I had a pair of the flitemate ones.

As far as using them for motorcycling goes, I reckon it makes it worse... I suppose it allowed a more direct transfer of virbrations from helmet, caused by turbulence or whatever, to my ear drums. This could have been caused by wrong size, but bleh... So instead of hearing my bike, those sounds were drowned out by white-noise. Not good.

Anyway, cost me $15 (rip) from the Galleria, but I kinda thought the container came with would be useful for carrying my normal pairs of earplugs around (attached to my bike keys), since I kept losing them.

The bottom part of the container fell off sometime during my 2nd ride with them...

So yeah, flitemate was a waste for me

[FaceThePower]

...
So yeah, flitemate was a waste for me
[/b]

Flitemate are meant for using inside airplanes to reduce cabin air pressure such as when the plane is landing. The ones meant for motorbikes are SILENT EAR's.

[jules_1972]

As far as using them for motorcycling goes, I reckon it makes it worse... I suppose it allowed a more direct transfer of virbrations from helmet, caused by turbulence or whatever, to my ear drums. This could have been caused by wrong size, but bleh... So instead of hearing my bike, those sounds were drowned out by white-noise. Not good.

[/b]

I was the same with Foam Earplugs, was noisier with the buggers in....
The sound was like you said white-noise and bloody anoying.

Wrote about these before, but I got me a set of musicians moulded ear plugs
from a Hearing Aid Shop. They were $180 (tax deductable) and work real well for me.

They drop out -25db so Im not Roo-Race ringing after a ride!!!

[keel]

I was the same with Foam Earplugs, was noisier with the buggers in....
The sound was like you said white-noise and bloody anoying.

Wrote about these before, but I got me a set of musicians moulded ear plugs
from a Hearing Aid Shop. They were $180 (tax deductable) and work real well for me.

They drop out -25db so Im not Roo-Race ringing after a ride!!!
[/b]

Bought a pair of the musicians plugs about 2 months ago for work and bike. For work average (I'm a welder) for the bike fantastic. I've used the cheap work types before and the block out to much noise leaving me feeling cocooned.

Keel

[Ev]

Bought a pair of the musicians plugs about 2 months ago for work and bike.
[/b]

Tried them but they get become dislodged or uncomfortable when I use them under helmet....

I just put disposable yellow foamies in when ever I am gonna hold 90+ for any lengh of time... buy yaselves a box of 200... adequate cheap and comfort +++

Also gonna buy some whisper strip style silencers for the shoei xr 1000.. can I propose a group buy

PS: To all the peeps not using hearing protection out there get into the habit of using hearing protection... and choosing quiet helmets hearing protection now is better than HEARING AIDS later...
....most older riders would tell you this if they can still hear

[Danny Boy]

^^^WHS^^^

ive played drums for about 4 years now, and went through a brief period where i would jam without hearing protection. BIG mistake. Gotta take your hearing seriously guys. ive got some pretty serious damage done to mine and im only 19. audiologist said it was all downhill from here. (well maybe Ill be able to block out the nagging of a future partner some day, but if i have to put up with one that nags it definately is all downhill)
People go on about always wearing protective equipment while riding, long pants, jacket, gloves, ?mouthguards?? (stranger things have happened). But we should all be looking after our ears because once theyre damaged they never heal. just ask uncle chop chop.

cheers.

[tigerleo]

Firstly, I agree that your hearing is important - there have been times when I have 'lost' hearing in an ear and it has severely affected me and made me very miserable.

I played guitar in rock bands for 12 or so years from the late '70s through to early '90s - we didn't use ear plugs in those days as it was 'not cool' and it also masked the music that we were trying to play. As a result I had my hearing checked several times over the years only to be told there was nothing wrong - my hearing is normal for my age despite the work-out my ears received... and it is 'down hill' as you get older as you lose 4kHz on the top end after your teens...

It all depends on what db for how long without hearing protection before you are permanently affected.

After the Christmas Toy Run in 2005, going through Pollie's Pipe, my ears ached and I had a headache for the rest of the day - so I started to wear the cheapy yellow ear plugs you get from Bunnings. They certainly cut down the noise (wind noise, traffic noise, exhaust noise etc), but I also found I was riding faster as I could not hear the bike that well, and cars had a 'habit' of appearing right next to me without realising it... and they hurt my ears which distracted me...

I then changed my helmet that also cut down the wind noise - then I threw away the ear plugs...

Now the helmet has loosened up the noise is back, but I prefer to hear what is going on with the bike as well as the traffic around me. In this case my hearing IS important to properly gauge my surroundings.

So IMHO, if you are doing long, extended runs with a LOUD bike on a large group rides then plugs may be worth it in the long run - but if you are doing commuter or shorter runs with breaks in between then probably not.

[Para045]

PS: To all the peeps not using hearing protection out there get into the habit of using hearing protection... and choosing quiet helmets hearing protection now is better than HEARING AIDS later...
....most older riders would tell you this if they can still hear
[/b]

WHAT WAS THAT YOU SAID

[milliejane]

Is there any place in Perth that sell these Silent Ear Plugs.

Milliejane

[Duff]

I have about a 35min comute to and from work each day and was finding that buy the end of the ride my ears were hearting from the wind noise. I first tried a few different types ofthe disposable type ear plug but found that after awhile they would make my ears hurt. I then tried an expesnive pair of custom moulded type plugs and again found they hurt my ears. I think it has something to do with if the helemt moves slightly it puts pressure on the plug. I then found these natural wax plugs from the USA and found they are great. Really comfy and easy to use. block out most of the wind noise etc but not so much that you are isloated. Pretty cheap as well compared to the other produts I have tried. Here is the website for anyone interested. delivery was pretty quick as well which is always a bonus when buying from overseas. I bought the two pack as a trial and the first pair have lasted about 6 months.

http://www.earplugsonline.com/u-industrial.html